Who Can Get an Open Work Permit as the Spouse of an International Student?

By Vikrant Singh, September 23, 2025

If you are the spouse or common-law partner of an international student in Canada, you may be eligible for an Open Work Permit (OWP). This permit allows you to work for most employers in most industries across Canada, giving you the flexibility to support your family while your partner studies.

The validity of the OWP is usually tied to the expiry date of your partner’s study permit.

Eligibility for Spousal Open Work Permits

You may qualify for an OWP if your spouse or common-law partner is an international student enrolled in one of the following programs:

• Doctoral programs

• Master’s programs of at least 16 months or longer

• Eligible professional programs, including:

  • Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS, DMD)

  • Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor (LLB, JD, BCL)

  • Doctor of Medicine (MD)

  • Doctor of Optometry (OD)

  • Pharmacy programs (PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm)

  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN, BSN)

  • Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc)

  • Bachelor of Nursing (BN)

  • Bachelor of Education (BEd)

  • Bachelor of Engineering (BEng, BE, BASc)

    
    

In addition, spouses must be medically and criminally admissible to Canada.

Important: Spousal work permits cannot be issued for a period longer than the student’s study permit. If the student is in their final semester, the spousal OWP cannot be extended.

Who Qualifies as a Spouse or Partner?

• Spouse: You count as a spouse once you are legally married, regardless of the country where the marriage took place.

• Common-law partner: You qualify if you have lived together in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 consecutive months, with only minimal, temporary separation during that time.

Additional Eligible Programs

Spouses of international students enrolled in certain specialized programs may also qualify for an OWP, provided the student applies after the eligibility period begins.

Program Name	Province/Territory	Eligibility Period
Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP)	Outside Quebec	From Aug 26, 2024
Le projet de reconnaissance des compétences d’infirmières et d’infirmiers recrutés à l’international	Quebec	From Apr 30, 2024
Projet de reconnaissance des compétences d’inhalothérapeutes formés à l’étranger	Quebec	From Jan 21, 2025
Projet de recrutement et reconnaissance des compétences de technologistes médicaux formés à l’étranger	Quebec	From Jan 21, 2025
Supervised Practice Experience Partnership	Ontario	From Jan 21, 2025
Nurse Re-Entry (Red River College Polytechnic)	Manitoba	From Jan 21, 2025
Internationally Educated Midwives Bridging Program (UBC)	British Columbia	From Jan 21, 2025
Canadian Pharmacy Practice Program (CP3) (UBC)	British Columbia	From Jan 21, 2025
Post-Degree Diploma: Nursing Practice in Canada (Langara College)	British Columbia	From Jan 21, 2025

How to Apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit

1. Read IRCC’s instruction guide to understand how to complete the forms.

2. Use IRCC’s online tool to generate a personalized document checklist.

3. Create or sign in to an account on IRCC’s portal.

4. Prepare and upload documents, including:

   • Proof of full-time enrollment at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI):

     • Enrollment letter, or

     • Current transcripts

   • A copy of the student’s valid study permit.

5. Pay the required fees and submit the application online.

Extending a Spousal Open Work Permit

You may qualify to extend your OWP if:

• Your spouse holds a valid study permit;

• Your spouse is physically in Canada while studying;

• Your spouse is enrolled full-time in a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)-eligible program at a DLI;

• Your spouse is not in their final semester of study.

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