Canada has extended the open work permit pilot (OWPP) for spouses and common-law partners who apply for permanent residence under the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class until it can be made permanent.

The program was initiated in December 2014, and was due to expire on July 31 after its latest extension in January 2019.

To qualify for an OWPP applicants require to:

• live in Canada

• submit an application under the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class

• have temporary resident status or are eligible to restore their temporary resident status as a visitor, student or worker

• live at the same address as their sponsor

How to submit an application for a spousal work permit

Applicants submitting a new application must submit a work permit application at the same time as their sponsorship application, with an application for permanent residence. They require to include the fees, and send all completed applications together to either of the below addresses:

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

Applicants who have already submitted an application for permanent residence but have not yet applied for an open work permit, require to complete the work permit application. The need to send the completed application, along with the fees, 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

Applicants who have already received approval in principle on their permanent residence application, but they have not yet passed the medical, security and background checks need to apply for an open work permit online.