Spousal and dependent open work permits used to be straightforward: if your partner had a Canadian study or work permit, you could apply. The January 2025 reforms changed that — only spouses of certain master's/doctoral students (16-month+ programs) and TEER 0/1/specific-TEER-2/3 workers in priority sectors qualify now. This Standard kit covers who qualifies under the new rules, the application package, the timing alongside the principal applicant's permit, and the work-permit type for spouses sponsoring through PR.
What you'll be able to do after reading it
Confirm eligibility under the 2025 rules.
Master's 16-month+ programs, doctoral students, TEER 0/1 workers, specific TEER 2/3 priority sectors — the kit has the full lookup including how the principal's permit category drives spousal eligibility.
Apply concurrently with the principal applicant.
Spouse OWP can be filed at the same time as the principal's study or work permit, or after — the timing trade-offs of each.
Bridge between permits without losing status.
Implied status (R186) for current-permit-holders, BOWP (Bridging Open Work Permit) for those waiting on PR — the kit shows when each applies.
Apply for SOWP under spousal sponsorship.
Different rules apply when the spouse is being sponsored for PR — the SOWP path lets them work while the PR application processes (typically 12 months).
The January 2025 reform compressed who qualifies for a family OWP by roughly 70%. If you read the older guides, ignore them — they describe a regime that ended. — Editor's note, ehCanadaVisa
Why this saves you time
A licensed immigration consultant bills $150–$400 per hour for the kind of scope-setting, document-planning, and template work this kit captures on paper. This isn't a replacement for a lawyer on a genuinely complex case — it's a replacement for the three or four orientation consultations most people use just to get pointed in the right direction.
What you get
Free IRCC pages
This Action Kit
Decision tree across pathways
— scattered across many pages
✓ One workflow
Worked sample submission
— not provided
✓ Field-by-field
Prioritized document checklist
— partial lists per form
✓ Cross-pathway
Response templates (renewal, RFI)
— none
✓ Included
Updated when IRCC changes
— you have to track it
✓ Lifetime
Frequently asked questions
How much does the spousal OWP cost?
CAD 155 work permit fee + CAD 100 open-work-permit holder fee = CAD 255 total. Biometrics CAD 85 individual / CAD 170 family if not already given within the past 10 years.
My spouse is doing a 1-year master's. Do I qualify?
No. The 2025 rules require a master's program of 16 months or longer for the spouse to qualify under the student-spouse track. A 1-year master's falls just under the threshold. The kit covers the alternate paths.
What's a TEER 0/1/2/3 worker for spousal-OWP purposes?
NOC TEER 0 (management), TEER 1 (university degree-required), and specific TEER 2/3 occupations on the IRCC priority-sectors list. The list changes; the kit references the current published one with the date stamp.
Can my spouse apply for OWP from outside Canada?
Yes — outland is the standard route when the principal hasn't arrived yet. Once both are in Canada, inland is faster. The kit covers the timing trade-off.
What if I'm on PGWP — can my spouse still get an OWP?
Yes IF you're working in a TEER 0/1 (or eligible TEER 2/3 priority-sector) job. PGWP itself is open, but spousal OWP eligibility depends on what your actual job is, not the type of work permit you hold.
How long is the spousal OWP valid for?
Matches the principal applicant's permit duration. If your spouse's study permit is 4 years, your OWP is up to 4 years. Renewals require the principal to renew first.
What happens if IRCC changes the rules after I buy?
You have lifetime re-download access. When IRCC makes a material change, we update the kit (usually within a week) and you get the new version at no cost.
Is this legal advice?
No. ehCanadaVisa is an independent information resource. This guide provides information and templates, not legal advice, and we are not a law firm or licensed immigration practice. Always verify current requirements at
canada.ca and consult a licensed professional for your specific situation.
