Family Sponsorship Immigration

How To Apply For An Open Work Permit Under Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class

Canada immigration news: Spouses or common-law partners being sponsored for permanent residence from within Canada can work while their application is being processed by applying for an Open Work Permit. 

Eligible candidates must be in Canada and in the process of being sponsored for permanent residence under the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class. Candidates must also have valid temporary status as a visitor, student or worker and live at the same address as their sponsor.


Read More Canada Immigration News

Spouse And Partner Immigration 2021: Indian Citizens Dominate Permanent Residence Figures
Spouse And Partner Immigration: Which Canadian Provinces Welcomed Most Newcomers In 2021?
Spouse and Partner Immigration To Canada Numbers Recover In 2021


Who Qualifies For An Open Work Permit Under The Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class?

Spouses or Common-Law partners who:

  • Are being sponsored to become Canadian permanent residents.
  • Are the spouse or common-law partner of their sponsor.
  • Live with their sponsor/spouse/partner.
  • Have temporary resident status in Canada.

Watch Video


How to Apply for a Spousal Work Permit

To apply for the spousal work permit, choose the situation that applies to you:

1) Those submitting a new application for permanent residence can apply for the work permit at the same time. Send both completed applications to one of the following addresses:

By mail:

In-Canada Sponsorship
CPC – Mississauga
PO Box 5040, Station B
Mississauga, ON
L5A 3A4

By courier:

Case Processing Centre – Mississauga
2 Robert Speck Parkway, Suite 300
Mississauga, ON
L4Z 1H8

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is currently testing an online system for submitting applications under the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class. Applicants may be selected to apply online as part of the testing process.

2) Those who have already submitted a permanent residence application can complete a form for the special work permit online, before mailing it to the Case Processing Centre at the following address:

Case Processing Centre – Edmonton
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Work permits for spouses or common-law partners, Station 777
9700 Jasper Avenue NW, Suite 55
Edmonton, AB T5J 4C3

3) Those who have already been approved in principle for permanent residence without passing medical, security and background checks can apply online.

4) Those who already have a work permit under the pilot will need to apply for an extension before their status lapses.

Colin Singer

Colin Singer is an international acclaimed Canadian immigration lawyer and founder of immigration.ca featured on Wikipedia. Colin Singer is also founding director of the Canadian Citizenship & Immigration Resource Center (CCIRC) Inc. He served as an Associate Editor of ‘Immigration Law Reporter’, the pre-eminent immigration law publication in Canada. He previously served as an executive member of the Canadian Bar Association’s Quebec and National Immigration Law Sections and is currently a member of the Canadian Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Colin has twice appeared as an expert witness before Canada’s House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration. He is frequently recognized as a recommended authority at national conferences sponsored by government and non-government organizations on matters affecting Canada’s immigration and human resource industries. Since 2009, Colin has been a Governor of the Quebec Bar Foundation a non-profit organization committed to the advancement of the profession, and became a lifetime member in 2018.

Recent Posts

Canadian Immigration Trends: Decline in New Permanent Resident Numbers

Discover the latest trends in Canadian immigration with a notable decline in permanent residency applications.…

2 weeks ago

Quebec Temporary Immigration Freeze Proposal: Addressing Housing Affordability Crisis

Learn about the Parti Québécois' call to halt temporary immigration in Quebec, its impact on…

2 weeks ago

Rethinking Canada Immigration Policy With A Focus On Citizenship

In a recent panel discussion at the Canada Strong and Free Network conference in Ottawa,…

2 weeks ago

Saskatchewan Bolsters Immigration Framework to Foster Economic Growth

Discover Saskatchewan's enhanced Immigration Services Act, bolstering protection for foreign workers, combating fraud, and facilitating…

2 weeks ago

Navigating Canada’s Tax Benefits and Credits for Newcomers

Discover how newcomers to Canada can access a wide range of benefits and tax credits…

2 weeks ago

Success in Higher Education and Beyond for Immigrant Children

Discover how immigrant children in Canada outshine their counterparts, excelling in education and earning higher…

3 weeks ago

This website uses cookies.