New Update: Open Work Permit Rules for Spouses of Work-Permit Holders in Canada

A lot of candidates think that when one person in a couple has a Canadian work permit, the other one can automatically get an open work permit. But this is not true anymore under the latest regulations from Canada. Now the eligibility will depend on the job type, skill level, and the particular work permit held by the primary applicant.

Unfortunately, the new restrictions are not known to many couples, and therefore, a significant number of applications are rejected.

Who Is Eligible Under the New Rules?

An open work permit can be granted only to the spouses of employees who belong to certain job categories. In general, the following factors determine eligibility:

The NOC/TEER category of the primary applicant
The employer’s and job’s characteristics
Whether the job is categorized as high-demand or essential according to the prevailing policies
Evidence of full-time, legitimate, and uninterrupted employment in Canada

If the job of the principal applicant does not fall under the categories eligible as per IRCC, then the spouse will also not be eligible, even if the principal applicant possesses a valid work permit.

Required Documents for a Strong Application

For the proper and unproblematic processing of applications, the spouses have to submit:

A copy of the valid work permit of the principal applicant
An employment letter confirming the job title, duties, hours, and start date
Recent payslips or proofs of salary
Proof of relationship, like a marriage certificate
Additional documents as per country-specific requirements

All details should be in compliance with IRCC’s requirements; even a tiny gap or inconsistency might cause delay or refusal.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

On the part of applicants, there are instances when they strengthen their cases unknowingly by:

Applying without verifying their suitability under the new IRCC eligibility lists
Filing employment proof that is not complete
Using general job titles rather than providing detailed job descriptions
Thinking that any kind of work permit automatically validates a spouse’s OWP
Overlooking new rules or processing changes
Not being aware of such matters may lead to unnecessary rejections.

Need Guidance on Your Eligibility?

At Abhinav Immigration Services, we deliver precise assessments according to the newest IRCC regulations. Our Licensed Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) is there to assist applicants in understanding their eligibility, obtaining necessary documents, and choosing the right strategy before application submission.

To check if your spouse is eligible, you may schedule a personalized consultation with our RCIC for an in-depth review of your situation.