A spouse’s open work permit is a type of work permit that allows the spouse of a temporary resident or a foreign student to work in Canada while they are in the country. These types of work permits are issued for the same length of time as the spouse’s study or work permit, which means that they will generally expire at the same time.
However, it is possible to extend a spouse’s open work permit if the spouse’s study or work permit is also being extended. In order to do this, the spouse must apply for an extension of their work permit before it expires. This can be done online through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website or by mail.
To be eligible for an extension of a spouse’s open work permit, the following conditions must be met:
- The spouse’s study or work permit is still valid and has not expired
- The spouse has not reached the maximum duration of their work permit (which is generally four years)
- The spouse’s employer has not changed
- The spouse continues to meet the requirements for their work permit, such as having a valid job offer and being able to prove that they have the necessary skills and qualifications for the job
If all of these conditions are met, the spouse can apply for an extension of their open work permit by following the steps on the IRCC website. The application will be reviewed by an immigration officer, who will make a decision based on the information provided. If the application is approved, the spouse will receive a new work permit that is valid for the same length of time as the spouse’s extended study or work permit.
It is important to note that a spouse’s open work permit is tied to the spouse’s study or work permit, and it cannot be extended independently. Therefore, if the spouse’s study or work permit is not being extended, the open work permit will also expire. In this case, the spouse will need to apply for a new work permit if they wish to continue working in Canada.
