If you’re an international student planning to study in Canada in 2024, the good news is that you can bring your spouse along with you to Canada. There’s a specialized service for people who fall into this category and it is called the Spousal Open Work Permit the Spousal Open Work Permit, allows spouse/common-law partners to work in Canada while the other spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner studies.
The Spousal Open Work Permit is beneficial to two categories of persons
- A spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner living in Canada on a Temporary Resident Visa (A student)
- An accompanying dependent child of the principal applicant
To qualify for a spousal open work permit, you must be in a genuine relationship with your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner. A common law partner is someone you are not legally married to but have been living together for at least a year.
A Conjugal Partnership on the other hand is a marriage-like relationship which is characterised by some stability, mutual financial, social, emotional, and physical dependence, shared household and related obligations and a sincere commitment to one another
In this blog, the focus will be on applying as a married spouse
Under the IRCC RULES, a spouse is someone whom you are legally married to with a marriage certificate to show for it.
With the open work permit, you do not need to have a job offer from any employer in Canada before you apply. Being able to adequately show proof of relationship and meeting other requirements is key to the outcome of your application
Documents you need for a Spousal Open Work Permit
- The first document needed while putting in an application for a spousal open work permit is your international passport. Your international passport is an important document for international travel and applications, The primary purpose of an international passport is to serve as a travel document, providing identification and nationality verification when crossing international borders.
2. Documents to prove your relationship
As a way of curbing sham and scam marriages just to bring another person to Canada, there’s the need to show the Visa officer the genuineness of your marriage and this can be through submission of photographs, chats, email exchanges, Call logs, pictures with family, pictures that tell your story in chronological order.
- Sufficient proof of funds, With the new regulations, the proof of funds for new study permit applications from January 2024 has been revised. You can find more information about the revised funds required per year HERE
- Completed Application Forms
As part of your application, You’ll be required to Download the latest version of the IMM 5710, IMM 5257 and IMM 1295 forms from the official website of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- Digital Passport Photograph
As part of your application process, you’d have to Provide one recent passport-sized photos that adhere to the specifications outlined by IRCC.
- Proof of Spouse’s Status in Canada
If your spouse is a student, include a copy of their student permit, enrollment letter, Visa page, and Tuition fee payment. If they are a worker, provide a copy of their work permit.
Step 2: Complete the Application Forms (IMM 5710, IMM 1295, IMM 5257)
Thoroughly fill out all the forms, ensuring that all the information is accurate and up-to-date. In place of your signature, you can put your full name and date on the form before moving on to the next step.
Step 3: When all your documents are complete, then you can create an Online Account
Create an Online Account on the IRCC website. This account will allow you to submit and track your application. Make sure to save your login credentials in a secure place.
Step 4: Submit Your Application Online
Log in to your online account and follow the instructions to submit your application. Upload all the required documents in the specified format and double-check that everything is in order before finalizing the submission.
Step 5: Pay the Application Fees
Visit the IRCC website to check the current fees and make the necessary payment online. Keep a record of the payment receipt, as you’ll need it for your application.
For a spousal work permit application, You’ll have to pay an application processing fee of $340. This includes a processing fee of $155 plus an open work permit holder fee of $100 and a biometrics fee of $85.
Step 6: Submit Your Application Online
Log in to your online account and follow the instructions to submit your application. Upload all the required documents in the specified format and double-check that everything is in order before finalizing the submission.
Step 7: Monitor the Application Status
Once your application is submitted, keep a close eye on its status through your online account. IRCC will provide updates on whether additional information is needed or when a decision has been made.
Step 8: Receive the Open Work Permit
If your application is successful, you’ll be issued an Open Work Permit. Congratulations! Now you can legally work in Canada and enjoy the opportunities that come with it.
Applying for a Spousal Open Work Permit may seem daunting, but with careful preparation, key attention to detail and the right documentation, you can navigate this application successfully.
The first step to applying for a spousal open work permit is for your spouse to get a study permit. We can help you. All you need do is to send us a message. Our Canada admission is currently ongoing.
