Spousal Open Work Permit Canada: Eligibility for Spouses of Foreign Workers

1. What Is a Spousal Open Work Permit for a Foreign Worker?

A spousal open work permit can allow the eligible spouse or common-law partner of a foreign worker to work in Canada without being restricted to one specific employer.

Unlike an employer-specific work permit, an open work permit generally does not require:

• a specific job offer;
• a Labour Market Impact Assessment;
• an employer-specific LMIA exemption; or
• an Employer Portal offer of employment for the spouse.

However, being married to or in a common-law relationship with a foreign worker does not automatically create eligibility for an open work permit.

The principal worker and the spouse must meet the requirements of the particular family open work permit category that applies to them.

For the broader Canadian work permit framework, see the Work Permit Canada: Requirements & Complete Guide .

2. What Changed on January 21, 2025?

Canada significantly restricted eligibility for family open work permits on January 21, 2025.

Before these changes, family-member eligibility was broader for many temporary foreign workers.

Under the current general measure for high-skilled workers who are not relying on an eligible permanent residence pathway, new open work permit eligibility is generally limited to the worker's:

• spouse; or
• common-law partner.

Dependent children are no longer eligible for a new open work permit under this particular high-skilled-worker measure.

The principal worker must also meet stricter occupational and work-authorization requirements.

3. Which Spousal Open Work Permit Rules Apply?

IRCC does not apply one identical eligibility test to every foreign worker's family.

The applicable requirements depend on the principal worker's circumstances.

The main situations include:

• a high-skilled worker who is not on an eligible pathway to permanent residence;
• a worker who has already applied for permanent residence through an eligible economic program or pilot;
• a worker who is on an eligible pathway to permanent residence but has not yet submitted the PR application;
• a worker covered by certain free trade agreement provisions;
• a worker participating in a qualifying Significant Investment Project in British Columbia;
• certain foreign-trained health professionals recruited by Quebec; and
• certain Quebec workers covered by current temporary measures.

Identifying the correct category is essential because the occupational, family-member and work permit validity requirements differ.

4. Spouses of High-Skilled Foreign Workers

The general post-January-2025 measure applies to certain spouses and common-law partners of high-skilled foreign workers who are not relying on one of IRCC's designated pathways to permanent residence.

The principal worker generally must meet four requirements.

1. They must have qualifying authorization to work in Canada, such as a valid work permit, an approved work permit that has not yet been issued, or qualifying authorization to work without a permit.
2. They must be living or plan to live in Canada while working.
3. They must be employed or about to be employed in an eligible occupation.
4. Their work permit or qualifying work authorization must generally remain valid for at least 16 months after IRCC receives the spouse's open work permit application.

The spouse or common-law partner must separately meet the general requirements for issuance of a Canadian work permit.

5. TEER 0 and TEER 1 Workers

Under the current high-skilled-worker measure, spouses or common-law partners can potentially qualify where the principal worker is employed or will be employed in:

• any TEER 0 occupation; or
• any TEER 1 occupation.

TEER 0 generally covers management occupations, while TEER 1 generally covers professional occupations that typically require a university degree or comparable expertise.

The occupation must be assessed under the current National Occupational Classification system.

The principal worker must also satisfy the other eligibility requirements, including the applicable 16-month work-authorization rule.

6. Are All TEER 2 and TEER 3 Workers Eligible?

No.

This is one of the most important distinctions in the current spousal open work permit rules.

For a principal worker in TEER 2 or TEER 3 who is relying on the general high-skilled-worker measure, the occupation must appear on IRCC's specific list of eligible occupations.

IRCC's current list focuses on selected occupations associated with labour shortages and government priorities.

The eligible occupations include selected jobs in areas such as:

• natural and applied sciences;
• agriculture;
• construction and mechanical trades;
• natural resources;
• transportation;
• mining;
• forestry; and
• other designated priority occupations.

7. Current Eligible TEER 2 Occupations

As of September 2026, IRCC's published TEER 2 list for this measure includes the following NOC occupations:

• 22100 — Chemical technologists and technicians;
• 22101 — Geological and mineral technologists and technicians;
• 22110 — Biological technologists and technicians;
• 22111 — Agricultural and fish products inspectors;
• 72400 — Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics;
• 72401 — Heavy-duty equipment mechanics;
• 72402 — Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics;
• 72403 — Railway carmen/women;
• 72404 — Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors;
• 72405 — Machine fitters;
• 72406 — Elevator constructors and mechanics;
• 72410 — Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers;
• 72411 — Auto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians and damage repair estimators;
• 72420 — Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics;
• 72421 — Appliance servicers and repairers;
• 72422 — Electrical mechanics;
• 72423 — Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics;
• 72429 — Other small engine and small equipment repairers;
• 72500 — Crane operators;
• 72501 — Water well drillers;
• 72600 — Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors;
• 72601 — Air traffic controllers and related occupations;
• 72602 — Deck officers, water transport;
• 72603 — Engineer officers, water transport;
• 72604 — Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators;
• 72999 — Other technical trades and related occupations;
• 82010 — Supervisors, logging and forestry;
• 82020 — Supervisors, mining and quarrying;
• 82021 — Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services;
• 82030 — Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors; and
• 82031 — Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services.

Because IRCC can amend program instructions, the official list should be checked again when an application is prepared.

8. Current Eligible TEER 3 Occupations

As of September 2026, IRCC's published TEER 3 list includes:

• 73300 — Transport truck drivers;
• 73301 — Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators;
• 73310 — Railway and yard locomotive engineers;
• 73311 — Railway conductors and brakemen/women;
• 73400 — Heavy equipment operators;
• 73401 — Printing press operators;
• 73402 — Drillers and blasters — surface mining, quarrying and construction;
• 83100 — Underground production and development miners;
• 83101 — Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers;
• 83110 — Logging machinery operators;
• 83120 — Fishing masters and officers; and
• 83121 — Fishermen/women.

A TEER 3 occupation that is not on IRCC's designated list does not qualify under the general high-skilled-worker spouse measure merely because it falls within TEER 3.

9. The 16-Month Work Permit Requirement

For the general high-skilled-worker category, the principal worker's work permit or qualifying work authorization must normally be valid for at least 16 months after the date IRCC receives the spouse or common-law partner's open work permit application.

This is not simply a requirement that the principal worker have a valid permit on the date of application.

The remaining validity must generally reach the 16-month threshold.

Different validity rules can apply under permanent residence pathways, free trade agreements and special measures.

10. Spouses of TEER 4 and TEER 5 Workers

Since January 21, 2025, family members of a TEER 4 or TEER 5 worker who is not on an eligible pathway to permanent residence are generally not eligible for a new family open work permit under the ordinary foreign-worker family measure.

This does not mean every spouse of every TEER 4 or TEER 5 worker is automatically ineligible.

Different rules can apply where the worker:

• is on an eligible pathway to permanent residence;
• has applied for permanent residence through an eligible program;
• is working under an applicable special measure; or
• qualifies under another work permit authority.

The immigration pathway therefore needs to be identified before eligibility is determined.

11. Family Members When the Worker Has Applied for Permanent Residence

Different family open work permit rules can apply when the principal worker has already submitted a permanent residence application through an eligible economic immigration program or pilot.

IRCC's current list includes programs such as:

• Canadian Experience Class;
• Federal Skilled Worker Class;
• Federal Skilled Trades Class;
• Provincial Nominee Program;
• Atlantic Immigration Program;
• Rural Community Immigration Pilot;
• Francophone Community Immigration Pilot;
• certain Quebec economic classes;
• Start-up Business Class; and
• other economic programs and pilots identified by IRCC.

In this category, the principal applicant generally must hold or be approved for a qualifying work permit that will remain valid in Canada for at least 6 months after IRCC receives the family member's application.

The worker must also live and work, or plan to live and work, in Canada.

Where Express Entry is relevant to the permanent residence application, see the Express Entry Canada Complete Guide .

12. Who Can Qualify When the Worker Has Applied for PR?

The family-member definition can be broader under the measure for workers who have applied through an eligible economic permanent residence program.

Subject to the specific program requirements, eligible family members can include:

• the spouse or common-law partner;
• a dependent child of the principal applicant or spouse/common-law partner; and
• the dependent child of a dependent child.

Each family member must still satisfy the applicable work permit requirements.

This broader eligibility should not be confused with the ordinary post-January-2025 high-skilled-worker measure, under which new eligibility is generally restricted to the spouse or common-law partner.

13. Workers on a Pathway to Permanent Residence

IRCC also maintains a family open work permit measure for certain workers who are on an eligible pathway to permanent residence but have not yet submitted the permanent residence application.

The principal worker generally must:

• hold qualifying work authorization;
• have at least 6 months of qualifying work authorization remaining after IRCC receives the family member's application;
• be employed or about to be employed in the occupation required by the applicable measure;
• be on one of IRCC's eligible pathways to permanent residence; and
• live or plan to live in Canada while working.

Eligible pathways currently include specified provincial, Quebec, Atlantic, Start-up Visa, Agri-Food and other designated immigration streams.

14. Who Is Not Eligible Under the General High-Skilled Worker Measure?

IRCC currently identifies several situations in which the spouse or common-law partner cannot use the general high-skilled-worker family OWP measure.

This includes where the principal applicant:

• made a refugee claim that was referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board;
• is subject to an unenforceable removal order;
• is an international student holding a study permit;
• is an international student working on or off campus without a work permit;
• has applied for a post-graduation work permit but has not yet received a positive decision when the spouse's application is decided; or
• themselves hold a spousal open work permit.

A different work permit category may nevertheless be available depending on the circumstances.

15. Can the Spouse of a PGWP Holder Get an Open Work Permit?

Potentially, but holding or applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit does not automatically make the spouse eligible.

Under the current foreign-worker rules, the PGWP holder must generally satisfy the requirements of the applicable family OWP category.

For a high-skilled worker relying on the general measure, this includes:

• qualifying work authorization;
• employment or prospective employment in an eligible TEER 0, TEER 1 or designated TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupation;
• living or planning to live in Canada while working; and
• generally having at least 16 months of qualifying work authorization remaining.

IRCC specifically states that a spouse cannot qualify through this high-skilled-worker measure merely because the principal applicant has applied for a PGWP if a positive PGWP decision has not yet been made when the spouse's application is decided.

16. Spouses of Workers Under Free Trade Agreements

Certain Canadian free trade agreements contain provisions that can provide work authorization opportunities for spouses or common-law partners of qualifying workers.

IRCC therefore instructs applicants to check the specific free trade agreement under which the principal worker qualifies.

A spouse who does not qualify through the applicable FTA may still qualify under another family open work permit measure if all of that measure's requirements are met.

17. 2026 British Columbia Significant Investment Project Exception

IRCC introduced a targeted family open work permit measure for qualifying workers involved in designated Significant Investment Projects in British Columbia.

As of March 23, 2026, the spouse of a qualifying SIP worker may apply for an open work permit where the principal worker:

• holds a valid work permit or letter of introduction for a work permit issued under a qualifying SIP agreement;
• is employed or has a job offer in an occupation at any TEER level; and
• is or will be living in Canada while employed.

The ordinary 16-month remaining-validity requirement does not apply to this SIP measure.

IRCC currently instructs qualifying spouses to enter SIPSPOUSEBC in the Job title field of the work permit application.

18. 2026 Exception for Certain Quebec Health Professionals

A further targeted exception took effect on May 25, 2026 for spouses of certain foreign-trained health professionals recruited by Quebec.

IRCC currently identifies the following occupations:

• NOC 31301 — Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses;
• NOC 32103 — Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists; and
• NOC 32120 — Medical laboratory technologists.

For qualifying workers recruited through the specified Quebec programs, the principal worker's work permit does not need to satisfy the ordinary 16-month remaining-validity requirement.

IRCC currently instructs qualifying spouses to enter CONJOINTSANTEQC in the Job title field.

19. June 2026 Quebec Skilled Worker Spousal Measure

Canada introduced another targeted measure affecting certain Quebec temporary foreign workers in 2026.

Effective June 5, 2026, the spouse or common-law partner of certain temporary foreign workers who applied for permanent selection under Quebec's skilled-worker selection program may qualify for an open work permit.

The spouse or common-law partner must meet the requirements of the temporary measure, including the applicable temporary resident status and family relationship requirements.

The spouse must also be identified as required in the principal applicant's Quebec permanent selection process.

Because this is a targeted and time-sensitive measure, applicants should confirm that it remains in effect and that all current criteria are met when applying.

20. Marriage and Common-Law Relationship Requirements

The spouse or common-law partner must establish a genuine qualifying relationship with the principal worker.

Evidence can include:

• a legal marriage certificate;
• a Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union where applicable;
• evidence of at least 12 consecutive months of qualifying cohabitation for a common-law relationship;
• shared residential evidence;
• joint financial records;
• insurance or beneficiary documents;
• correspondence; and
• other evidence appropriate to the relationship.

A marriage certificate or declaration establishes important legal evidence, but IRCC can still assess whether the relationship is genuine and whether it was entered into primarily for an immigration purpose.

21. Requirements for the Spouse or Common-Law Partner

Meeting the principal worker requirements does not automatically result in approval.

The spouse or common-law partner must also:

• meet the general requirements for a Canadian work permit;
• establish the genuine qualifying relationship;
• satisfy admissibility requirements; and
• if applying from within Canada, meet the applicable temporary resident status requirements.

For an in-Canada applicant, IRCC currently recognizes situations including:

• valid temporary resident status;
• maintained status; or
• eligibility to restore status as a visitor, worker or student.

For general work permit eligibility, see Canada Work Permit Eligibility .

22. Spousal Open Work Permit Documents

The required documents depend on the category under which eligibility is claimed.

Common evidence can include:

• the spouse's passport;
• marriage certificate;
• common-law relationship evidence where applicable;
• the principal worker's passport;
• the principal worker's work permit or letter of introduction;
• evidence of the principal worker's employment;
• an employment letter identifying the occupation and duties;
• recent pay records where relevant;
• evidence of the principal worker's NOC and TEER;
• evidence of a qualifying permanent residence application or pathway where relevant;
• program-specific evidence for an FTA or special measure; and
• any additional evidence requested by IRCC.

The evidence should establish the specific eligibility requirements relied upon rather than merely showing that the principal applicant holds a work permit.

See the Canada Work Permit Documents Checklist .

23. Proving the Principal Worker’s NOC and TEER

Where eligibility depends on the principal worker's occupation, identifying the correct NOC is a central part of the application.

Useful evidence can include:

• an employment confirmation letter;
• job title;
• detailed duties;
• wages;
• hours of work;
• employment contract;
• recent pay statements; and
• relevant employer or work permit documentation.

The job title alone should not be treated as conclusive.

The actual duties should correspond sufficiently with the NOC occupation relied upon.

24. How to Apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit

Depending on the principal worker's circumstances and location, an eligible spouse may be able to apply:

• together with the principal worker;
• separately after the principal worker applies;
• separately after the principal worker's work permit is approved; or
• from inside Canada where the in-Canada requirements are met.

IRCC's application instructions should be used to determine the correct timing for the particular family situation.

Most foreign nationals already in Canada must submit their initial or extension work permit application online rather than attempting to obtain it at a port of entry.

For the general application framework, see How to Apply for a Work Permit in Canada .

25. Spousal Open Work Permit Fees

As of September 2026, the standard government fees for a spousal open work permit are:

Biometrics fees can apply depending on the applicant's circumstances and biometrics validity.

Fee exemptions can apply in specific categories.

See Canada Work Permit Fees and Biometrics .

26. Can an Existing Family Open Work Permit Be Extended?

IRCC maintains transitional extension provisions for certain family members already in Canada, including some people who received their open work permit before the January 21, 2025 restrictions.

A family member in Canada may be able to extend the existing open work permit where:

• they are in Canada;
• their current work permit is valid for a shorter period than the principal worker's authorization; and
• they apply for the extension before their current work permit expires.

IRCC cannot issue the extension beyond the relevant validity limits, including the principal worker's authorization and the family member's passport or biometrics validity.

This transitional extension provision is important because a family member who qualified under an earlier rule may not necessarily qualify for a completely new permit under the current eligibility criteria.

For maintained status and extension rules, see Canada Work Permit Extension .

27. How Long Is a Spousal Open Work Permit Valid?

A family open work permit is not necessarily issued for a fixed universal period.

Its validity can be limited by factors including:

• the principal worker's period of authorized work;
• the family member's passport expiry;
• biometrics validity;
• the immigration program or public policy supporting the application; and
• other restrictions applicable to the case.

Applicants should therefore distinguish the minimum remaining validity needed to qualify from the period for which IRCC may ultimately issue the spouse's permit.

28. Where Can a Spousal Open Work Permit Holder Work?

An open work permit generally allows employment for different employers in Canada without obtaining a new employer-specific permit for each job.

However, open work permits are not completely unrestricted.

Employment is generally not authorized for an employer:

• listed by IRCC as ineligible because of employer non-compliance; or
• that regularly offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages.

Medical restrictions can also prevent work in certain occupations unless the applicant has completed the required immigration medical examination.

For the broader open permit framework, see the Open Work Permit Canada guide .

29. What if the Principal Worker Changes Employers?

A change in the principal worker's employment can affect the factual basis on which the spouse's application is assessed.

If the spouse's application is still pending, the principal worker should continue to satisfy the eligibility requirements applicable to the family-member category relied upon.

A change in:

• occupation;
• NOC;
• TEER category;
• employer;
• work authorization; or
• remaining permit validity

can therefore be material.

For the principal worker's immigration rules when changing jobs, see Change Employer on a Work Permit in Canada .

30. What if the Principal Worker’s Application Is Refused?

Where the spouse's eligibility depends on the principal applicant's work permit application, refusal of the principal application can affect the spouse's application.

IRCC currently explains that where the principal applicant's application is processed first and is refused, related family work permit applications dependent on that approval can also be refused.

The open work permit holder fee may be refunded in circumstances identified by IRCC, while the standard work permit processing fee is generally not refunded merely because the application was refused.

For work permit refusal issues, see Canada Work Permit Refusal .

31. Common Spousal Open Work Permit Mistakes

Assuming every work permit holder can support a spouse

The January 2025 changes significantly restricted eligibility. The principal worker's immigration category and occupation must be assessed.

Assuming every TEER 2 or 3 occupation qualifies

Under the general high-skilled-worker measure, only IRCC's designated TEER 2 and TEER 3 occupations qualify.

Ignoring the 16-month rule

A principal worker relying on the ordinary high-skilled-worker measure generally needs at least 16 months of qualifying work authorization remaining after IRCC receives the spouse's application.

Applying while a PGWP is still undecided

A pending PGWP application alone does not satisfy the principal-worker requirement under the general high-skilled-worker measure if a positive decision has not been made when IRCC decides the spouse's application.

Using only the job title to establish the NOC

The actual employment duties should support the claimed occupation.

Overlooking permanent residence pathway rules

A worker who does not qualify under the general high-skilled-worker measure may fall within a different family OWP framework connected to an eligible permanent residence pathway.

Applying old pre-2025 rules

Older online guidance may describe family-member eligibility that no longer applies to new applications.

Missing a current special measure

Targeted 2026 measures for certain British Columbia and Quebec workers create exceptions that are not reflected in older eligibility summaries.

32. Spousal Open Work Permit Eligibility Checklist

33. Spousal Open Work Permit Canada FAQs

Can the spouse of any foreign worker get an open work permit in Canada?

No. Eligibility depends on the principal worker's immigration category, occupation, work authorization, remaining permit validity and, in some cases, permanent residence pathway or a special measure.

What changed for spouses of foreign workers in January 2025?

Canada restricted the general family open work permit measure. For high-skilled workers not on an eligible PR pathway, new eligibility is generally limited to spouses or common-law partners of workers in TEER 0, TEER 1 or designated TEER 2 and 3 occupations who meet the remaining work-authorization requirement.

Do all TEER 0 workers qualify to support a spousal open work permit?

TEER 0 occupations satisfy the occupational component of the general high-skilled-worker measure, but the principal worker and spouse must still meet all other applicable requirements.

Do all TEER 1 workers qualify?

TEER 1 occupations satisfy the occupational component of the general measure, subject to the remaining eligibility requirements.

Do all TEER 2 workers qualify?

No. Under the general high-skilled-worker measure, the principal worker must be employed or about to be employed in one of IRCC's specifically designated TEER 2 occupations.

Do all TEER 3 workers qualify?

No. Only the designated TEER 3 occupations on IRCC's current list qualify under the general high-skilled-worker measure.

Can a spouse of a TEER 4 or 5 worker get an open work permit?

Generally not under the ordinary measure for a worker who is not on an eligible permanent residence pathway. Different rules may apply to workers connected to eligible PR pathways or special measures.

How much validity must the principal worker's permit have?

Under the general high-skilled-worker measure, the work permit or qualifying work authorization generally must remain valid for at least 16 months after IRCC receives the spouse's application. Certain PR-related measures use a 6-month requirement, and some special measures create exceptions.

Can the spouse of a PGWP holder get an open work permit?

Potentially. The PGWP holder generally needs to meet the requirements of the applicable foreign-worker family OWP measure, including the occupational and remaining-validity requirements where applicable.

Can the spouse apply while the principal applicant's PGWP is still processing?

Under the general high-skilled-worker measure, IRCC identifies a principal applicant whose PGWP application has not received a positive decision when the spouse's application is decided as a situation that does not qualify.

Can dependent children get open work permits?

Dependent children are no longer eligible for new permits under the ordinary post-January-2025 high-skilled-worker measure. They may remain eligible under certain PR-related family measures or transitional provisions.

Is the 16-month rule required for every spouse of a worker?

No. It applies to the general high-skilled-worker measure discussed above. Different requirements can apply under PR pathways, free trade agreements and targeted special measures.

Can spouses of workers under free trade agreements qualify?

Certain FTAs provide spousal work permit opportunities. Eligibility must be checked under the specific agreement. A spouse who does not qualify under the FTA may still qualify through another family OWP measure.

What is the BC Significant Investment Project exception?

Since March 23, 2026, spouses of certain workers with work authorization issued under qualifying British Columbia SIP agreements may qualify regardless of the principal worker's TEER level, without the ordinary 16-month requirement.

Are there special rules for certain health workers in Quebec?

Yes. Since May 25, 2026, IRCC has applied a targeted exception to the 16-month requirement for spouses of certain foreign-trained nurses, respiratory professionals and medical laboratory technologists recruited through specified Quebec programs.

How much does a spousal open work permit cost?

As of September 2026, the standard work permit fee is $155 and the open work permit holder fee is $100, for a standard total of $255 before any applicable biometrics fee.

Does the spouse need an LMIA?

No LMIA is normally required for an open work permit issued under an eligible family-member category.

Does the spouse need a Canadian job offer?

A specific job offer is generally not required for an open work permit. The principal worker, however, may need to establish qualifying current or prospective employment depending on the category.

Can an existing family open work permit be extended after the 2025 changes?

In certain circumstances, yes. IRCC maintains transitional extension provisions for eligible family members in Canada whose current permit is shorter than the principal worker's authorization and who apply before their permit expires.