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Spousal Open Work Permit-Canada
From Wiki
[edit] Introduction
- The spouse or common-law partner of a temporary work permit holder who is a skilled worker is entitled to an open work permit.
- A skilled worker is defined as someone who belongs to Skill Level O, A or B on the National Occupational Classification (NOC) Matrix.
- The spouse or common-law partner of a study permit holder also is entitled to a spousal open work permit.
- According to the BE forum thread entitled PNP granted, can my wife now work?, the spouse of a long haul truck driver who is applying for permanent residence via a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is eligible for a spousal open work permit once the principal applicant has reached the PNP approval phase of the process. This is notwithstanding the fact that truck driving belongs to Skill Level C on the NOC Matrix.
- The holder of an open work permit can accept any job, from any employer, in any part of Canada (They require a medical in order to work in health, or with children, specify this in the application in order that a medical is requested by the visa officer)
- The spousal open work permit is valid as long as the primary applicant's temporary work permit or study permit is valid.
[edit] Applying outside of Canada
- It is best to apply for a spousal open work permit at the same time as your spouse applies for a temporary work permit or study permit, while you're still overseas.
- When you submit both of your work permit applications, make sure they are cross referenced to each other.
- On the spouse's application, write "spousal work permit" where you're meant to fill in job details.
- Remember to submit enough money to cover both work permit applications, that is, $150 x 2 = $300.
[edit] Applying with spouse at port of entry
- If your spouse/partner applies for a temporary work permit or study permit at a Canadian port of entry (POE) and you are accompanying him/her, you may apply and pay for a spousal open work permit (SOWP) at the same time.
- If the principal applicant's permit is granted at the POE, the accompanying spouse/partner's SOWP will be issued on the spot as well.
[edit] Applying after spouse at port of entry
- You also may apply for a spousal open work permit at your POE if you travel to Canada after your partner has been issued with a temporary work permit or study permit and already is working or studying in Canada.
- In this case the following spouse/partner must have a copy of the principal applicant's valid work/study permit and evidence that the principal applicant is working or studying in Canada.
- Other standard conditions and fee apply.
[edit] Applying inside Canada
- If you accompanied your spouse to Canada on his/her temporary work permit or study permit, but did not apply for a spousal open work permit in advance of your entry to Canada, your spouse would have named you as an accompanying dependent on his/her application form.
- If you change your mind and want to work in Canada after all, you have to apply to have your status changed from an accompanying dependent to a temporary worker.
- Read the Guide, complete the application form, and attach the supporting documents they ask for.
- Instructions for paying the fees are on page 18 of the Guide.
- Note that this application has to be submitted to the Case Processing Centre in Vegreville, Alberta.
- Instead of attaching the documents they ask for -- like HRSDC confirmation (which basically means a Labour Market Opinion) and a job offer letter -- you need to attach a photocopy of your spouse's temporary work permit.
- It wouldn't hurt to attach other evidence of your spouse's employment in Canada, e.g., photocopies of a few pay stubs.
- Reports on the BE forum suggest that it takes 6 - 8 weeks to obtain a spousal open work permit if you apply for it from inside Canada.
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