The open work permits are limited to applicants living in Canada who have submitted an application under the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class, and who have temporary resident status or are eligible to restore their temporary resident status (as a visitor, student or worker) and live at the same address as their sponsor.
With this open work permit, you can work full time for any employers in any location in Canada.
Eligibility
To be eligible for this open work permit, the applicants must be applying for have applied for permanent residency sponsorship from within Canada through the inland stream of the spousal sponsorship program.
How to apply
If you have not submitted your sponsorship application
You can submit the sponsorship, the permanent residence application, and the work permit at the same time in 1 envelop. This must be accompanied with the appropriate fees. Applications must be sent by mail or courier only to the following address:
By mail
In-Canada Sponsorship
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
CPC – Mississauga
P.O. Box 5040, Station B
Mississauga, Ontario L5A 3A4
By courier
Case Processing Centre – Mississauga
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
2 Robert Speck Parkway, Suite 300
Mississauga, Ontario L4Z 1H8
If you have already submitted an application for permanent residence but have not yet applied for an open work permit
you can complete the work permit application. Send your completed application, along with the appropriate fee, to:
Case Processing Centre – Edmonton
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Work permits for spouses or common-law partners, Station 777
9700 Jasper Avenue NW, Suite 55
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4C3
If you already have approval in principle for your permanent residence application
If you have already received approval in principle on your permanent residence application—meaning you have received a letter from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada stating you meet the permanent residence eligibility requirements, but you (or your family members) have not yet passed the medical, security and background checks—you may apply for an open work permit online.