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Open Work Permits for Spouses of International Students in Canada: Who Qualifies and How to Apply

September 22, 2025

Open Work Permits for Spouses of International Students in Canada: Who Qualifies and How to Apply

For many international students, studying in Canada is not just about academics—it’s also about building a life with their loved ones. Recognizing this, Canada allows eligible spouses and common-law partners of international students to apply for an open work permit (OWP). This permit gives spouses the flexibility to work for almost any employer in Canada, gaining valuable experience while supporting their partner’s studies.

Here’s what you need to know about eligibility, application requirements, and extensions.

What Is an Open Work Permit for Spouses?

An open work permit for the spouse or common-law partner of an international student allows the holder to:

  • Work for most employers in most industries in Canada, without needing a job offer.
  • Hold the permit for the same duration as the student’s study permit (it cannot go beyond the student’s permit expiry date).

This is a great opportunity for families to live, study, and work in Canada together.

Who Can Apply?

You may qualify for an OWP if your spouse or common-law partner is an international student who is:

Enrolled in one of the following programs:

  • A doctoral program
  • A master’s program (minimum of 16 months in length)
  • An eligible professional program, such as:
    • Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS, DMD)
    • Law degrees (LLB, JD, BCL)
    • Doctor of Medicine (MD)
    • Doctor of Optometry (OD)
    • Pharmacy (PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm)
    • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
    • Nursing (BScN, BSN, BNSc, BN)
    • Bachelor of Education (BEd)
    • Bachelor of Engineering (BEng, BE, BASc)

In addition, the spouse or partner must be medically and criminally admissible to Canada.

Additional Eligible Programs

Spouses of international students in certain specialized programs may also qualify for an OWP, provided they apply after the eligibility period begins. Some examples include:

  • Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (outside Quebec) — from August 26, 2024
  • Quebec recognition projects for internationally trained nurses, inhalotherapists, and medical technologists — starting April 2024 through January 2025
  • Ontario Supervised Practice Experience Partnership — from January 21, 2025
  • Nurse Re-Entry Program (Manitoba) — from January 21, 2025
  • Bridging Programs in British Columbia such as Midwifery, Pharmacy Practice, and Nursing Practice — from January 21, 2025

Common-Law and Spousal Eligibility

  • You are considered a spouse once legally married, regardless of the country where the marriage took place.
  • You are considered common-law if you’ve lived together in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 consecutive months, with only minimal time apart.

How to Apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit

The application process involves:

  1. Reading IRCC’s application guide carefully.
  2. Using IRCC’s tool to create a personalized checklist of required documents.
  3. Creating or logging into your account through the IRCC portal.
  4. Paying the required fees and submitting the application online.

Documents You’ll Need:

  • Proof that the student is enrolled full-time in an eligible program at a DLI (e.g., enrollment letter or transcripts).
  • A copy of the student’s valid study permit.

Extending a Spousal Work Permit

You may be able to extend your OWP if:

  • Your spouse holds a valid study permit.
  • They are physically present in Canada while studying.
  • They remain enrolled full-time in a PGWP-eligible program at a DLI.
  • They are not in the final term of their studies.

Note: Spousal work permits cannot be extended if the student is already in their final semester.

Why This Matters

The spousal open work permit gives families financial stability, career opportunities, and a chance to integrate into Canadian society. For many, it also becomes a stepping stone toward permanent residency (PR) in Canada.

How MyWorld Immigration Can Help

At MyWorld Immigration, we specialize in helping families navigate Canada’s immigration system. Whether you’re applying for a study permit, spousal open work permit, or permanent residency, our expert consultants will ensure every step is handled with care and precision.

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