Spousal Open Work Permit

A work permit for partners of temporary workers

On January 21, 2025, the Spousal Open Work Permit Program underwent major changes.

To explain the new rules as clearly as possible, this information post focuses specifically on IEC participants, including those in the Working Holiday category.

Common questions for IEC participants

How do I apply for the Spousal Open Work Permit?

There are two options for applying for the Spousal Open Work Permit:

  1. Online, either from outside Canada or from within Canada.
  2. At the airport, when you arrive in Canada together from an international destination.

Instructions on how to apply as a partner of an IEC participant from inside Canada > here < 

What are the main requirements for the spousal open work permit? ​

You must meet both of the following requirements:

  1. At the time of application, your partner must have a work permit still valid for at least 16 months.
  2. The job of the partner must be in

Where can I find the official information?

The official information can be found here on the website of the Canadian government. 

Please note, because the rules have changed recently, many immigration pages or third-party blogs may contain outdated information. Therefore, it is essential to only trust the most up-to-date sources.

What is acceptable proof of 'genuine relationship'?

Depending on what your relationship is, one of the following must be provided:

What can be used as proof of a common-law relationship?

  • shared ownership of residential property
  • joint leases or rental agreements
  • bills for shared utility accounts, such as:
    • gas
    • electricity
    • telephone
    • joint utility accounts
  • important documents for both of you showing the same address, such as:
    • driver’s licenses
    • insurance policies
  • identification documents

Can I work everywhere with the Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP)?

The Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) is an open work permit under the International Mobility Program (IMP). This permit allows the spouse of temporary workers to work in Canada in any job and for any employer.

Furthermore, the International Mobility Program (IMP) is an LMIA-exempt stream, which means that applicants are not required to undergo the expensive or lengthy LMIA process. In addition, the type of work permit held by the spouse can be an open work permit, such as the Working Holiday, or a closed work permit. 

However, there are two restrictions that you must be aware of. 

There will be a restriction, that applies to all participants and will be printed on the bottom of the work permit: 

“Not valid for employment in businesses related to the sex trade such as strip clubs, massage parlours or escort services”

In other words, it means you can’t work for employers, who offer striptease, erotic dance, erotic massages, or escort services. This restriction is a strict rule and cannot be removed from the work permit. 

Another restriction that will be printed on the work permit is 

“Not authorized to work in 1) child care, 2) primary or secondary school teaching, 3) health services field occupations.”

It means you can’t work in health care, child care or elderly care jobs. This restriction can be removed if you get a medical exam as part of your application. More on this topic here > on this page <. 

Does the job have to be a full-time job?

No. It can also be a part time job.

Possible example scenarios in which this type of work permit can be applied for:

  • In the IEC process, only one of the partners is invited from the pool
  • In the IEC process, a partner receives a longer work permit
    • Example: Australia gets 2 years work permit and Germany only gets 1 year. The German partner can apply for the SOWP to get the same length as the Australian work permit. 
  • One of the partners has two citizenships and can participate in the IEC process once again.
  • The citizenship of one partner does not take part in the IEC program.

What if the partner quits or changes jobs? Will the Spousal Open Work Permit expire?

No. The partner must be employed by the employer until approval of the SOWP.

However, once the SOWP has been approved and issued, it will not expire or become invalid if the partner quits their job or changes employers. In fact, the work permit will remain valid until the expiry date printed on the permit.

If I have a work permit under the Working Holiday category, does my spouse also have to meet the age requirement like I had to?

No, there is no age requirement for this work permit. It’s important to note that the Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) is a different type of work permit and is not tied to the International Experience Canada (IEC) program requirements. As a result, your spouse can be any age when applying for this work permit.

Can I apply for the Spousal Open Work Permit at the US border via flagpoling?

Unfortunately this is not an option anymore. The Canadian government ended flagpoling for new work permits on December 24, 2024. The announcement can be found > here <. From within Canada you must apply online. 

How much will it cost to apply for the spousal open work permit?

As of 2025, the following fees must be paid:

  • Work permit fee: CA$155
  • Open work permit holder fee: CA$100
  • Biometrics fee (if never given): CA$85 

How long will the Spousal Open Work Permit be valid for?

The Spousal Open Work Permit is directly linked to your partner’s work permit. For instance, if your partner has a 2-year work permit, you will also receive an open work permit for the same duration. 

However, it’s important to note that the work permit cannot be issued beyond the expiry date of your passport. In other words, if your passport is only valid for another 12 months, your open work permit will be limited to that same 12-month period.

If my passport is not valid long enough, can I extend the work permit?

Yes, if your Spousal Open Work Permit was issued for a shorter duration due to your passport’s expiry, you can extend the work permit to match the maximum duration of your partner’s work permit.

To do so, you must first apply for a new passport. Additionally, there are two very important requirements to keep in mind:

  1. You must be in Canada.
  2. You must apply for the extension before your initial work permit expires.

If my partner extends the work permit, can I get an extension too?

No, it will not be an extension. However, you can apply for a new Spousal Open Work Permit. It’s important to keep in mind that both you and your partner will need to meet all the requirements once again. For example, the length of your partner’s work permit will play a key role in determining the duration of your new work permit.

Is there any maintained status?

If you are already in Canada with another work permit you should apply for the Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) online before the expiry of your existing work permit.

Once you have applied for the Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP), you can benefit from what is known as “maintained status” (starting from the expiry of your current work permit). This means that you can continue working until a decision is made on your SOWP application.

However, during maintained status, you can only continue to work under the same conditions as your expired work permit.

If you’re in Canada on a Working Holiday work permit (an open work permit), you are permitted to work for any employer. On the other hand, if you are in Canada with a closed work permit that is tied to a specific employer, you are not allowed to change employers. You can only do so after the Spousal Open Work Permit is approved and mailed to you.

Very important!

While in maintained status, you must remain in Canada. If you leave the country, you will lose this status and will no longer be able to work once you return. As a result, you will need to wait for your new work permit to be approved before resuming work.

If you apply for the Spousal Open Work Permit after the existing work permit has already expired, there is no maintained status and you have to wait until you have received the Spousal Open Work Permit before you can start working again.

Can I leave Canada while I wait for the decision on my Spousal Open Work Permit?

Yes, you can leave Canada and come back as long as you still have an active work permit.

However, once your maintained status kicks in, you should not leave Canada, as doing so will result in the loss of that maintained status. It’s important to note that maintained status begins only after your current work permit expires.

Additionally, once you re-enter, you will no longer be permitted to work. At the border, you will be questioned just like any other visitor. To emphasize, you will only be allowed to enter as a visitor. This means you are no longer authorized to work and must wait until your Spousal Open Work Permit is approved. Keep in mind that it is ultimately up to the border officials whether they allow you to re-enter Canada as a tourist.

Tip on how you can double your stay in Canada

Let’s use Susan and Michael from Australia as an example to show how this works in practice:

  1. First, Susan applies for and activates a 2-year Working Holiday work permit.
  2. Meanwhile, Michael travels with Susan and enters Canada as a visitor.
  3. Once Susan secures a job, Michael applies for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP), which is valid until the same expiry date as Susan’s work permit.
  4. About a year later, Michael applies for his own 2-year Working Holiday permit.
  5. At that point, Susan can switch to a spousal open work permit based on Michael’s new status.

And just like that, bang! Together, they’ve secured up to 4 years in Canada. That’s often enough time to explore pathways toward permanent residency.

Do I also need health insurance for the Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP)?

No, health insurance is not mandatory for the Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP). However, it is highly recommended to have insurance, as medical expenses in Canada can be extremely high. 

Because the Spousal Open Work permit is not part of the IEC program anymore, most IEC health insurance providers won’t offer coverage. You could look into > BestQuote < which is a well known Canadian broker that has quite a few affordable policies to choose from. I recommend getting a quote from BestQuote and asking them any questions you might have.

Note: If you plan to apply for a spousal open work permit at the immigration office after arriving in Canada from abroad, be aware that border officers may request proof of health insurance. Several applicants have reported this in their experiences.

Job List in TEER 2

  • 22100 – Chemical technologists and technicians
  • 22101 – Geological and mineral technologists and technicians
  • 22110 – Biological technologists and technicians
  • 22111 – Agricultural and fish products inspectors
  • 22112 – Forestry technologists and technicians
  • 22113 – Conservation and fishery officers
  • 22114 – Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists
  • 22210 – Architectural technologists and technicians
  • 22211 – Industrial designers
  • 22212 – Drafting technologists and technicians
  • 22213 – Land survey technologists and technicians
  • 22214 – Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology
  • 22220 – Computer network and web technicians
  • 22221 – User support technicians
  • 22222 – Information systems testing technicians
  • 22230 – Non-destructive testers and inspectors
  • 22231 – Engineering inspectors and regulatory officers
  • 22232 – Occupational health and safety specialists
  • 22233 – Construction inspectors
  • 22300 – Civil engineering technologists and technicians
  • 22301 – Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
  • 22302 – Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians
  • 22303 – Construction estimators
  • 22310 – Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
  • 22311 – Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment)
  • 22312 – Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
  • 22313 – Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors
  • 32100 – Opticians
  • 32101 – Licensed practical nurses
  • 32102 – Paramedical occupations
  • 32103 – Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
  • 32104 – Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
  • 32109 – Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
  • 32110 – Denturists
  • 32111 – Dental hygienists and dental therapists
  • 32112 – Dental technologists and technicians
  • 32120 – Medical laboratory technologists
  • 32121 – Medical radiation technologists
  • 32122 – Medical sonographers
  • 32123 – Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists
  • 32124 – Pharmacy technicians
  • 32129 – Other medical technologists and technicians
  • 32200 – Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists
  • 32201 – Massage therapists
  • 32209 – Other practitioners of natural healing
  • 42102 – Specialized members of the Canadian Armed Forces
  • 42202 – Early childhood educators and assistants
  • 72010 – Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations
  • 72011 – Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
  • 72012 – Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades
  • 72013 – Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades
  • 72014 – Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers
  • 72020 – Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades
  • 72021 – Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews
  • 72022 – Supervisors, printing and related occupations
  • 72023 – Supervisors, railway transport operations
  • 72024 – Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators
  • 72025 – Supervisors, mail and message distribution occupations
  • 72100 – Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors
  • 72101 – Tool and die makers
  • 72102 – Sheet metal workers
  • 72103 – Boilermakers
  • 72104 – Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters
  • 72105 – Ironworkers
  • 72106 – Welders and related machine operators
  • 72200 – Electricians (except industrial and power system)
  • 72201 – Industrial electricians
  • 72202 – Power system electricians
  • 72203 – Electrical power line and cable workers
  • 72204 – Telecommunications line and cable installers and repairers
  • 72205 – Telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technicians
  • 72300 – Plumbers
  • 72301 – Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers
  • 72302 – Gas fitters
  • 72310 – Carpenters
  • 72311 – Cabinetmakers
  • 72320 – Bricklayers
  • 72321 – Insulators
  • 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
  • 82031 – Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services

Job List in TEER 3

  • 33100 – Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
  • 33101 – Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
  • 33102 – Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
  • 33103 – Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
  • 33109 – Other assisting occupations in support of health services
  • 43100 – Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants
  • 43204 – Operations Members of the Canadian Armed Forces
  • 53200 – Athletes
  • 53201 – Coaches
  • 73100 – Concrete finishers
  • 73101 – Tilesetters
  • 73102 – Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers
  • 73110 – Roofers and shinglers
  • 73111 – Glaziers
  • 73112 – Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
  • 73113 – Floor covering installers
  • 73200 – Residential and commercial installers and servicers
  • 73201 – General building maintenance workers and building superintendents
  • 73202 – Pest controllers and fumigators
  • 73209 – Other repairers and servicers
  • 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
  • 83121 – Fishermen/women
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