Is your spouse currently working or studying in Canada or have you applied to be sponsored for Canada immigration by your spouse or partner in Canada? Then you can be eligible for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP).
This permit will allow the spouse of temporary permit holders in Canada to work anywhere across the country for any employer. But remember if your spouse in Canada is studying, then you can only apply for a spouse open work permit if they are enrolled in a master’s or a doctoral degree.
Who can apply?
You are eligible to apply for an open work permit from India if you are:
- Spouse, common law, partner or conjugal partner, residing in Canada, who is being sponsored for PR
- Dependent accompanying the principal applicant
Here are some additional requirements:
- You must be in a genuine relationship with your sponsor living in Canada
- You have to be included in the PR application and have an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) letter that should confirm that your PR application is being processed
- You must also be residing in the country with your sponsor
Open Work Permit as a dependent child
Listed below are the eligibility requirements for an open work permit as a dependent child:
- If you are accompanying the principal applicant, then you must be:
- In a real relationship with their sponsor
- Should be included in the PR application from India and have an AOR letter that should confirm their PR application is being processed
- Living in Canada with their sponsor
- You should also be living with your family member, which is the principal applicant and their sponsor
Who is not eligible to apply?
You cannot apply for an open work permit if either:
- Your Canada PR from India application has been refused, withdrawn, or returned
- You plan to apply for your work permit at a port of entry
How to apply for an Open Work Permit from India?
If you have a valid temporary residence status, do this:
Once you get your Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) letter, apply for an open work permit in the IRCC secure account.
You can only apply without an AOR if you meet the following conditions:
- Your work permit, study permit or temporary resident status will expire in the next two weeks or less, and
- You have applied for PR under one of the following classes:
- The spouse or common-law partner in Canada class (SCLPC) as a spouse or common-law partner
- The family class as a spouse, common law, or conjugal partner
Follow these steps to apply:
Step one: get the personalised checklist of the documents you are required to upload.
Step two: fill out your work permit application form with the correct details.
Step three: upload the documents you gathered earlier.
Processing time
On average, the spouse open work permit processing time 2024 is between 4 to 8 weeks. However, the duration it takes to complete a spouse business in Canada might vary over time.
If you don’t have a valid temporary residence status, do this:
If your Canada PR application is being processed by IRCC under the spouse public policy, you have to wait until you have received your approval in principle letter to be eligible to apply for an open work permit in Canada.
You, under no circumstances, apply for an open work permit under any other public policy or pilot program.
Seek help?
Reach out to one of the best immigration consultants in Delhi, Nationwide Visas. They have over 200+ immigration consultants who are ready to guide you and help you with your application to move to Canada as a PR from India. So what are you waiting for? Connect now for an instant consultation.
Good luck!
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