Your spouse or partner, whom you are seeking to sponsor in Canada, has an option to apply for an open work permit once they apply for permanent residency status.
A spouse or partner can do the following while their PR application is under processing:
- They must possess a legal status of temporary residency in Canada.
- Before resuming their work, they should ensure their work permit is approved.
If your spouse or partner is already holding a work permit that will expire, they can keep working provided they can retain their status as a worker
Open Work Permit- What is it?
Several types of work permits exist, one being an Open Work Permit. This work permit allows foreign workers to work under numerous employees without any restrictions in terms of location. What is most beneficial is that the individual holding an Open Work Permit has the freedom to switch employers, locations, work destinations, and occupations in Canada.
Your spouse or partner has an opportunity to actively participate in the Canadian labor market through an Open Work Permit. Consequently, it also helps them eliminate the draining and prolonged application process without holding an employment letter.
The application process and eligibility criteria associated with that process might significantly vary based on individual circumstances. Sponsorship through Inland sponsorship for spouses and common-law partners, in addition to meeting the eligibility requirements, also makes them eligible for an Open Work Permit.
Eligibility Criteria- Spousal Open Work Permit
Aspiring individuals must meet the following eligibility conditions to obtain the Spousal Open Work Permit:
- The first step will be to apply for permanent residency through spousal or common-law partnership sponsorship.
- The one who is applying and the one who is sponsoring must share the same residential address.
- An applicant must also possess an authentic status of temporary residency in the form of a visitor, worker, or student.
- It is essential for any applicant or sponsors to meet all the eligibility requirements to become eligible for the spousal or common-law partner sponsorship.
The process to apply for a spousal open work permit
You are eligible to apply for an open work permit irrespective of the fact that your spouse or partner has or has not applied for a status of permanent residency.
Suppose your partner or spouse is yet to apply for permanent residency status, you have the option of mailing the applications combined in an envelope. These can include sponsorship, PR, and even open work permit applications. You will need to submit these applications physically at the Case Processing Center in Ontario.
Once the spouse or partner applies for permanent residency status, he will have to wait to receive the acknowledgment receipt. They can apply online for an open work permit upon receiving the receipt letter.
After creating an online account, the candidate will be assessed through some questions to receive a customized checklist for the required documents. The applicant will need to provide the essential documents according to the checklist given after applying.
IRCC: Processing Time
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada target to achieve the standard processing time across all business lines toward the latter part of the year. The in-land work permit applications submitted online take about 158 days, while the paper-based applications take around 149 days to get processed.
