What is a Spousal Open Work Permit and Its Benefits?
Through spouse partners and child sponsorship programs, Canada intends to receive 82,000 new permanent residents each year. However, processing time for applications by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) can exceed a year. Therefore, spouse or partner might be able to get a Spousal Open Work Permit in the interim (SOWP). They might qualify for a spouse open work permit if their partner is submitting an inland spousal sponsorship application for permanent residence.
About Open Work Permit
An open work permit, as opposed to a closed one, allows foreign nationals to live and work legally anywhere in Canada. With an open work permit, you can work in Canada without having to meet some of the conditions of other temporary work licences, including an LMIA. Moreover, there is no requirement to apply for any job offer.
Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) Benefits
- While IRCC examines your partner’s application for permanent residency, having an open work visa may allow them to start working in Canada and lessen the financial burden on your household.
- Couples can also cohabitate while awaiting an IRCC ruling if they have an open work permit.
- An individual can develop their language abilities, get Canadian work experience, and build social and professional networks while applying for permanent residency.
- The lead applicant’s work permit expiration date determines how long a SOWP is valid. Like for a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP), for instance, the SOWP will cease to be valid after your PGWP expires. Your SOWP will end if the primary applicant is a Canadian citizen when their passport expires.
What is the Eligibility For a SOWP?
There are requirements that must be satisfied in order to obtain a spousal open work permit:
- An application for sponsorship as a spouse or common-law partner is made.
- The applicant must be in possession of a current temporary resident visa for a visitor, student, or employee.
- Both the applicant and the sponsor must be eligible to sponsor a spouse or common-law partner.
- Significantly, the sponsoring individual must already be residing in Canada with their partner. Candidates who reside outside of Canada are ineligible.
