Work permits

Can my spouse or common-law partner work in Canada?

If your spouse or common-law partner wants to work while in Canada, they must apply for their own work permit. Normally, they must meet the same requirements that you do, including obtaining (if needed) a labour market opinion (LMO) from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.

However, your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible to apply for an “open” work permit that will allow her or him to accept any job with any employer if you meet the conditions outlined below:

A. You are authorized to work in Canada for six months or longer and the work you are doing while you live in Canada meets a minimum skill level (usually work that would require at least a college diploma). Specifically, your job must be listed in Skill Level 0, A or B in the National Occupational Classification;

Or

B. You are authorized to work in Canada and the work you are doing while you live in Canada is included in a list of eligible occupations in participating provinces.

In each of the above cases, your spouse’s permit will be valid for the same period as yours.

If you meet these requirements, your spouse may apply for an open work permit. Your spouse’s permit will be valid for the same period as your authorization to work in Canada. If your job does not fall within the categories listed above, your spouse may still apply for a work permit, but it will have to be for a specific job and in most cases the employer will have to obtain a labour market opinion (the normal authorization required for the employer to hire you) from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.

In some cases your spouse or partner will need a medical examination. See Will I need a medical exam? in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page for more information.

If they have not already applied overseas, spouses and partners may apply for their work permit from within Canada. For more information, including definitions and requirements, refer to the guide Application to change conditions or extend your stay in Canada as a worker in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
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