Last Updated:December 16, 2025
Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP)
A Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) is a permit that allows the spouse or common-law partner of an international student or foreign worker residing in Canada to work in Canada. While the principal applicant (the student or worker) is studying or working, their family member is also permitted to work concurrently.
Benefits of the Spousal Open Work Permit
Flexible employment to support household finances
The primary purpose of the Spousal Open Work Permit is to support the household finances of family members who are studying or working in Canada.
- In addition to being employed by a company, holders may work as contract staff or freelancers.
- There are no restrictions on working hours, allowing flexible work schedules, such as working during free time between household chores or child rearing.
Advantageous for Permanent Residence
Another key benefit of the Spousal Open Work Permit is that it can be advantageous for obtaining Permanent Residence.
- Work experience gained under a Spousal Open Work Permit can be counted as Canadian work experience when applying for Permanent Residence.
- Depending on employment conditions, it may be possible to receive support from an employer for an LMIA-based Work Permit.
- There is also the possibility that the spouse may become the principal applicant for Permanent Residence, making strategic planning essential.
With early consultation and proper planning, you can efficiently work toward obtaining Permanent Residence.
Eligibility Requirements for the Spousal Open Work Permit
As of January 21, 2025, eligibility requirements for the Spousal Open Work Permit will be partially restricted. Applications are only accepted if the following conditions are met. If your current permit is still valid, it will remain valid until its expiry.
Requirements for the Principal Applicant (Foreign Worker or International Student)
- Must hold a valid Work Permit and approval letter.
- At the time of the spousal application, the Work Permit must have at least 16 months remaining (exceptions apply to Work Permits under international agreements such as CPTPP).
- Must plan to reside in Canada during the period of employment.
- For international students, enrollment in one of the following full-time programs is required:
- A Master’s Degree program of 16 months or longer
- A PhD program
- Employment in a TEER 0 or 1 occupation, or designated TEER 2 or 3 occupations
- Or enrollment in one of the following specific university programs:
- Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS, DMD)
- Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor (LLB, JD, BCL)
- Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- Doctor of Optometry (OD)
- Pharmacy (PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm)
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN, BSN)
- Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc)
- Bachelor of Nursing (BN)
- Bachelor of Education (BEd)
- Bachelor of Engineering (BEng, BE, BASc)
- Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot
Requirements for the Spouse or Common-Law Partner
- Must meet general Work Permit requirements, such as having no criminal record.
- The marital or partner relationship must be genuine.
- Must be legally residing in Canada at the time of application.
Eligible Occupations: NOC Skill Levels (TEER) 2 and TEER 3
Under the new restrictions for the Spousal Open Work Permit, if the principal applicant is employed in a NOC skill level (TEER) 2 or 3 occupation, the spouse will not be eligible unless the occupation falls under the designated list below (as of January 22, 2025).
TEER2
22100
Chemical technologists and technicians
22101
Geological and mineral technologists and technicians
22110
Biological technologists and technicians
22111
Agricultural and fish products inspectors
22112
Forestry technologists and technicians
22113
Conservation and fishery officers
22114
Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists
22210
Architectural technologists and technicians
22211
Industrial designers
22212
Drafting technologists and technicians
22213
Land survey technologists and technicians
22214
Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology
22220
Computer network and web technicians
22221
User support technicians
22222
Information systems testing technicians
22230
Non-destructive testers and inspectors
22231
Engineering inspectors and regulatory officers
22232
Occupational health and safety specialists
22233
Construction inspectors
22300
Civil engineering technologists and technicians
22301
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
22302
Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians
22303
Construction estimators
22310
Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
22311
Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment)
22312
Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
22313
Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors
32100
Opticians
32101
Licensed practical nurses
32102
Paramedical occupations
32103
Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
32104
Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
32109
Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
32110
Denturists
32111
Dental hygienists and dental therapists
32112
Dental technologists and technicians
32120
Medical laboratory technologists
32121
Medical radiation technologists
32122
Medical sonographers
32123
Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists
32124
Pharmacy technicians
32129
Other medical technologists and technicians
32200
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists
32201
Massage therapists
32209
Other practitioners of natural healing
42102
Specialized members of the Canadian Armed Forces
42202
Early childhood educators and assistants
72010
Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations
72011
Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
72012
Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades
72013
Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades
72014
Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers
72020
Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades
72021
Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews
72022
Supervisors, printing and related occupations
72023
Supervisors, railway transport operations
72024
Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators
72025
Supervisors, mail and message distribution occupations
72100
Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors
72101
Tool and die makers
72102
Sheet metal workers
72103
Boilermakers
72104
Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters
72105
Ironworkers
72106
Welders and related machine operators
72200
Electricians (except industrial and power system)
72201
Industrial electricians
72202
Power system electricians
72203
Electrical power line and cable workers
72204
Telecommunications line and cable installers and repairers
72205
Telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technicians
72300
Plumbers
72301
Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers
72302
Gas fitters
72310
Carpenters
72311
Cabinetmakers
72320
Bricklayers
72321
Insulators
72400
Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
72401
Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
72402
Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
72403
Railway carmen/women
72404
Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
72405
Machine fitters
72406
Elevator constructors and mechanics
72410
Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers
72411
Auto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians and damage repair estimators
72420
Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics
72421
Appliance servicers and repairers
72422
Electrical mechanics
72423
Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics
72429
Other small engine and small equipment repairers
72500
Crane operators
72501
Water well drillers
72600
Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors
72601
Air traffic controllers and related occupations
72602
Deck officers, water transport
72603
Engineer officers, water transport
72604
Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators
72999
Other technical trades and related occupations
82010
Supervisors, logging and forestry
82020
Supervisors, mining and quarrying
82021
Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services
82030
Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors
82031
Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services
TEER3
33100
Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
33101
Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
33102
Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
33103
Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
33109
Other assisting occupations in support of health services
43100
Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants
43204
Operations Members of the Canadian Armed Forces
53200
Athletes
53201
Coaches
73100
Concrete finishers
73101
Tilesetters
73102
Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers
73110
Roofers and shinglers
73111
Glaziers
73112
Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
73113
Floor covering installers
73200
Residential and commercial installers and servicers
73201
General building maintenance workers and building superintendents
73202
Pest controllers and fumigators
73209
Other repairers and servicers
73300
Transport truck drivers
73301
Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators
73310
Railway and yard locomotive engineers
73311
Railway conductors and brakemen/women
73400
Heavy equipment operators
73401
Printing press operators
73402
Drillers and blasters surface mining, quarrying and construction
83100
Underground production and development miners
83101
Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers
83110
Logging machinery operators
83120
Fishing masters and officers
83121
Fishermen/women
Conditions for Renewal of the Spousal Open Work Permit
If an international student requires additional time to complete their program, or if the spouse’s Work Permit is shorter than the principal applicant’s permit, renewal may be possible under the following conditions:
- The applicant must already hold a Spousal Open Work Permit and apply for an extension under the same eligibility criteria.
- The extension period must align with the validity period of the principal applicant’s existing Study Permit or Work Permit.
Validity Period of the Spousal Open Work Permit
The Spousal Open Work Permit is issued with the same expiry date as the principal applicant’s permit.
Extending the Spousal Open Work Permit
If you are currently residing in Canada, you may apply for an extension if you meet the following conditions:
- Your current Spousal Open Work Permit is shorter than the principal applicant’s permit.
- You apply before your permit expires.
Example:
If the principal applicant’s permit is valid until March 2027 and the spouse’s passport is valid until March 2026:
- Obtain a new passport.
- Apply for an extension of the Spousal Open Work Permit after receiving the new passport.
Supporting Household Finances with a Spousal Open Work Permit
The primary purpose of the Spousal Open Work Permit is to support the household finances of family members who are studying or working in Canada. Holders may work for an employer, as contract staff, or as freelancers. Since there is no restriction on working hours, it is also possible to work only a small number of hours during spare time between household duties or child rearing.
The Spousal Open Work Permit as a Pathway to Permanent Residence
When used effectively, the Spousal Open Work Permit can significantly improve prospects for obtaining Permanent Residence. Canadian work experience gained under a Spousal Open Work Permit is counted toward Permanent Residence applications. In some cases, employment under this permit may lead to employer support for an LMIA-based Work Permit, or allow the spouse to become the principal applicant for Permanent Residence. With strategic planning, the overall process toward Permanent Residence can be greatly enhanced. Through timely consultation and careful planning, you can work efficiently toward achieving Permanent Residence.
Related Columns
Date Posted:December 16, 2025
10 Critical Mistakes That Can Jeopardize Your PGWP Application— The 180-Day Rule and the Reality of Processing Delays
Date Posted:September 11, 2025
BC Premier Calls for Temporary Foreign Worker Program to Be Abolished or Fundamentally Reformed — Industry Pushback and What Lies Ahead
![[Co-op Work Permit in Canada] How long can you work? Employment conditions and points to be cautious of to avoid illegal employment](https://en.visajpcanada.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Blog-Thumbnail-94.webp)
Related News
Looking to obtain permanent residence or a visa?
Consult with us now!
Applying for permanent residence or a visa to Canada on your own can be overwhelming due to the large number of required documents, and you may feel uncertain about whether everything is correct. However, if you're serious about immigrating to Canada, we strongly recommend seeking the support of an immigration consultant. There are many pathways to obtaining permanent residence, depending on factors such as your age, occupation, and family status. With the help of an expert, you can ensure that you plan the right approach tailored to your specific situation.
A professional immigration consultant will help solve your concerns
Get a free Counseling now
From immigration planning to application submission,
everything is completed with Visa JP Canada
Consulting with an immigration consultant makes the process clearer and much smoother. You’ll feel more confident with document submissions and procedures, significantly reducing the risk of mistakes. Take the first step toward your Canadian dream with the guidance of an expert.
