Sponsored Spouse Open Work Permit Canada: How to Apply
Sponsored Spouse Open Work Permit Canada is an option that may allow a spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner being sponsored for permanent residence to work while the PR application is processed.
The applicant must generally be living in Canada with the sponsor and have an Acknowledgement of Receipt confirming that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has accepted the permanent residence application for processing.
This work permit is open rather than employer-specific. A successful applicant can generally work for most eligible Canadian employers without obtaining an LMIA or an Employer Portal offer.
Submitting a sponsorship application does not automatically give the sponsored person permission to work. The person must continue following the conditions of their existing temporary status and wait for work authorization unless they already hold a valid work permit.
Important: This article provides general immigration information and is not legal advice. Eligibility depends on the permanent residence application, relationship, temporary status and documents provided. Always follow the current IRCC instructions and personalized document checklist.
Table of Contents
- Quick Overview
- What Is This Open Work Permit?
- Who Can Apply?
- In-Canada vs Family Class Applications
- AOR Requirements
- Applying Without an AOR
- Temporary Status Requirements
- Applicants Without Valid Status
- Who Cannot Apply?
- Documents You May Need
- How to Apply Online
- What to Enter on the Form
- Application Fees
- Can You Work While Waiting?
- Dependent Children
- Extending the Open Work Permit
- Travel While Waiting
- Common Mistakes
- Application Checklist
- Related Immigration Guides
- Official Resources
- FAQ
Sponsored Spouse Open Work Permit Canada: Quick Overview
| Question | General Answer |
|---|---|
| Who may apply? | A spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner living in Canada and being sponsored for permanent residence. |
| Must the couple live together? | Yes. The sponsored applicant must generally live in Canada with the sponsor. |
| Is an AOR required? | Generally yes, unless the applicant qualifies for the limited two-week expiry exception. |
| Can a visitor apply? | Yes, if the person meets the policy requirements and has valid status, maintained status or restoration eligibility. |
| Can the applicant start working immediately? | No. A person without existing work authorization must wait until the open work permit is approved. |
| General application fee | CAN$255, consisting of the $155 work permit fee and $100 open work permit holder fee. |
| Can it be extended? | A qualifying applicant may request a further two-year extension while the PR application remains in process. |
What Is an Open Work Permit for a Sponsored Spouse?
This open work permit is provided through a public policy for certain family sponsorship applicants who are living in Canada.
It allows an eligible applicant to work while waiting for a final decision on the spouse or partner permanent residence application.
The permit is generally not tied to:
- One employer
- One job offer
- An LMIA
- An Employer Portal offer
- A specific A-number
The permit does not provide permanent residence by itself. The work permit and permanent residence applications are assessed separately.
For a comparison with other spouse-related permits, read Spousal Open Work Permit Canada: Who May Qualify.
Who Can Apply?
A principal permanent residence applicant may qualify if they are:
- A spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner being sponsored for permanent residence
- Included in a permanent residence application
- In a genuine relationship with the sponsor
- Living in Canada with the sponsor
- In possession of the required AOR, unless the limited exception applies
- Eligible to apply for a work permit from inside Canada under the public policy
An accompanying dependent child of the principal applicant may also qualify under the current policy when the family meets the applicable residence and PR application requirements.
In-Canada Class vs Family Class Sponsorship
The open work permit policy is not limited only to an application submitted under the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class.
It may also cover a spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner sponsored under the Family Class when the sponsored person is currently living in Canada with the sponsor and meets all other requirements.
| PR Application Class | Possible OWP Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class | May qualify when living with the sponsor in Canada and the PR application meets the required stage. |
| Family Class spouse or partner application | May qualify under the public policy if the sponsored applicant is living in Canada with the sponsor. |
| Applicant living outside Canada | Does not meet the in-Canada residence requirement for this open work permit. |
Read Spousal Sponsorship Canada: What Applicants Should Know for the differences between sponsorship classes.
What AOR Is Required?
AOR means Acknowledgement of Receipt.
For this open work permit, the AOR must relate to the sponsored person’s permanent residence application.
It is normally the AOR that IRCC sends to the sponsor after reviewing the application package and confirming that the PR application is complete enough to begin processing.
The letter generally contains:
- The sponsored applicant’s information
- The permanent residence application number
- Confirmation that the application is in process
The application number appears near the top left of the AOR and normally begins with the letter:
Do not confuse this AOR with:
- An online payment receipt
- A courier delivery confirmation
- A temporary application submission screen
- An AOR for another immigration application
Read AOR Canada: Acknowledgement of Receipt Explained.
Can You Apply Without an AOR?
A limited exception is available when an applicant’s temporary status is about to expire.
You may apply without the AOR only if both of the following are true:
- Your work permit, study permit or temporary resident status will expire in two weeks or less
- You have already submitted an eligible spouse or partner permanent residence application
The PR application must have been submitted under either:
- The Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class; or
- The Family Class as a spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner
When using the exception, upload both:
- A copy of the work permit, study permit or visitor record that is about to expire
- Evidence showing that the permanent residence application was successfully submitted
The exception is narrow: It does not allow every applicant to apply immediately after submitting the PR application. The applicant’s temporary status must expire in two weeks or less.
Temporary Status Requirements
IRCC’s current instructions treat an applicant as having qualifying temporary status when the person has one of the following:
- A valid visitor record
- A valid work permit
- A valid study permit
- A valid temporary resident permit
- Maintained temporary resident status
- Eligibility to restore status as a visitor, worker or student
The applicant must accurately disclose their current status in the work permit application.
A person who is eligible for restoration should not claim to have maintained status. Maintained status and restoration are different legal situations.
Related guides:
What If You Do Not Have Valid Temporary Status?
Some spouses or common-law partners without valid status may still have their permanent residence application processed under the spousal public policy.
However, an out-of-status applicant generally cannot apply immediately for this open work permit.
The applicant must normally wait until receiving an Approval in Principle letter confirming that the PR eligibility stage has been passed.
After receiving Approval in Principle, the applicant generally:
- Completes a paper work permit application.
- Includes a letter explaining why the application cannot be submitted online.
- Includes a copy of the Approval in Principle letter.
- Provides the remaining required forms and documents.
- Pays the applicable fees.
A person without current work authorization cannot work merely because the PR application or paper work permit application was submitted.
Who Cannot Apply Under This Policy?
You cannot currently apply under this sponsored spouse open work permit policy if:
- The permanent residence application was refused
- The permanent residence application was withdrawn
- The permanent residence application was returned as incomplete
- You plan to apply for the work permit at an airport or land border
- You are not living in Canada with the sponsor
- You are not included in the relevant permanent residence application
A port-of-entry application is not available under this public policy. Eligible applicants with valid status normally apply online from inside Canada.
Documents You May Need
The personalized IRCC document checklist controls. Common documents may include:
- Valid passport pages
- Digital photograph
- Current visitor record, work permit, study permit or temporary resident permit
- Official PR Acknowledgement of Receipt
- Proof that the PR application was submitted when using the no-AOR exception
- Marriage certificate or marriage licence
- Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union, where applicable
- Family Information form IMM 5707
- Dependent children’s birth certificates showing both parents’ names
- Proof that the applicant lives in Canada with the sponsor
- Approval in Principle letter for an eligible out-of-status paper application
- Letter of explanation
- Fee payment receipt
Proof of Living Together in Canada
The checklist may not always provide a separate field for cohabitation evidence, but applicants should be prepared to prove that they live with the sponsor.
Evidence can include:
- A joint lease
- Utility bills
- Government correspondence showing the same address
- Joint bank or insurance documents
- Other reliable address evidence
Combining Documents
The online checklist may provide only one Client Information field.
Combine related documents into one organized file with:
- A cover page
- A short document index
- The AOR or no-AOR exception evidence
- Current status evidence
- Any supporting explanation
How to Apply Online
Applicants with valid temporary status normally apply through the IRCC secure account.
- Submit the spouse or partner permanent residence application.
- Wait for the AOR unless the two-week exception applies.
- Confirm that you live in Canada with the sponsor.
- Check your passport and current immigration-document expiry dates.
- Sign in to or create an IRCC secure account.
- Start an application to extend or change your work permit.
- Answer the online eligibility questions carefully.
- Select the option confirming that you are applying under an active public policy or pilot program.
- Complete the work permit application form.
- Upload every document on the personalized checklist.
- Upload the additional documents required by the sponsored spouse policy.
- Pay the work permit and open permit fees.
- Electronically sign and submit the application.
- Save the submission confirmation and payment receipt.
For account help, read IRCC Secure Account: GCKey, Sign-In Partner and Application Updates.
What to Enter on the Work Permit Application Form
In the Details of Intended Work in Canada section, follow IRCC’s special public-policy instructions.
| Form Field | What to Enter |
|---|---|
| Type of work permit | Open Work Permit |
| Job title | SCLPC FC OWP |
| Brief description of duties | SCLPC FC applicant in Canada public policy |
Enter the wording accurately. Do not replace it with the name of a future employer or a job that has not been secured.
Sponsored Spouse Open Work Permit Fees
| Fee | Current Amount |
|---|---|
| Work permit processing fee | CAN$155 |
| Open work permit holder fee | CAN$100 |
| Standard total | CAN$255 |
Additional costs may apply for:
- Biometrics, when required
- Restoration of temporary status
- Medical examinations
- Translations
Check IRCC’s current fee list immediately before submitting.
Can You Work While Waiting?
Submitting a permanent residence or open work permit application does not automatically authorize employment.
You Already Have a Valid Work Permit
You may continue working while the existing permit remains valid and you follow its conditions.
You Applied Before Your Work Permit Expired
You may be able to continue working under maintained status while IRCC processes the application.
You must normally continue following the conditions of your previous work permit until the new open work permit is approved.
You Are a Visitor or Student Without Work Authorization
You cannot begin working after merely submitting the application.
You must wait until IRCC approves the open work permit.
You Lost Your Status
You generally cannot work while waiting for restoration, Approval in Principle or the new work permit.
Key rule: A sponsorship or work permit application is not itself permission to work. The applicant needs a valid work permit or another legal work authorization.
Can an Accompanying Dependent Child Apply?
An accompanying dependent child of the sponsored principal applicant may also be eligible for an open work permit.
The principal applicant must:
- Be in a genuine relationship with the sponsor
- Be included in a PR application that has the required AOR
- Live in Canada with the sponsor
The dependent child must live with the principal applicant and sponsor in Canada.
Each child needs a separate work permit application.
Before the child begins working, the family should confirm the minimum working age and employment restrictions in the applicable province or territory.
Can the Sponsored Spouse Open Work Permit Be Extended?
A qualifying applicant may apply to extend the open work permit for two additional years under the public policy.
The applicant must meet both of the following:
- They received the AOR for the permanent residence application
- The permanent residence application is still being processed and no final decision has been made
Apply before the current work permit expires whenever possible.
IRCC cannot normally issue a permit beyond the applicant’s passport expiry date, so renew the passport first when necessary.
Read Work Permit Extension Canada: How to Apply Before Expiry.
Travel Outside Canada While Waiting
A work permit does not guarantee entry to Canada.
A traveller may also need:
- A valid passport
- A temporary resident visa, when required
- An electronic travel authorization, when required
- Evidence showing the purpose of entry
The public policy requires the sponsored person to live in Canada with the sponsor.
Leaving Canada for an extended period may create questions about whether the cohabitation and in-Canada requirements continue to be met.
Applicants under the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class should also understand that there is no guarantee they will be allowed to re-enter Canada after travelling.
Travel warning: Leaving Canada while relying on maintained status can interrupt the applicant’s ability to work after returning. Review temporary status and re-entry documents before travelling.
Common Application Mistakes
- Applying immediately after submitting the PR application without an AOR or qualifying for the two-week exception
- Using a payment receipt instead of the official PR AOR
- Uploading an AOR for a different immigration application
- Failing to prove that the applicant lives with the sponsor in Canada
- Selecting an employer-specific work permit instead of an open work permit
- Failing to enter SCLPC FC OWP in the required field
- Paying only the $155 work permit fee
- Starting work before the permit is approved
- Claiming maintained status when only restoration eligibility exists
- Trying to apply at an airport or land border
- Applying after the PR application was returned, withdrawn or refused
- Applying online while out of status before receiving Approval in Principle
- Applying with a passport that will expire soon
- Travelling without considering the in-Canada residence requirement
Sponsored Spouse Open Work Permit Checklist
- □ I am included in an eligible spouse or partner permanent residence application.
- □ My relationship with the sponsor is genuine.
- □ I live in Canada with the sponsor.
- □ I received the correct AOR beginning with an F application number.
- □ If I do not have an AOR, my status expires in two weeks or less.
- □ I have proof that the PR application was submitted.
- □ I accurately identified my temporary status.
- □ I checked whether I have maintained status or need restoration.
- □ My passport is valid for the requested permit period.
- □ I prepared my marriage certificate or common-law declaration.
- □ I completed IMM 5707.
- □ I included dependent children’s documents where applicable.
- □ I selected Open Work Permit.
- □ I entered SCLPC FC OWP as instructed.
- □ I paid the $155 and $100 fees.
- □ I electronically signed and submitted the application.
- □ I saved the submission confirmation and receipt.
- □ I understand that I cannot work before authorization begins.
Related Immigration Guides
- Spousal Open Work Permit Canada: Who May Qualify
- Spousal Sponsorship Canada: What Applicants Should Know
- Canada Family Sponsorship Explained
- AOR Canada: Acknowledgement of Receipt Explained
- Work Permit Extension Canada
- Maintained Status in Canada Explained
- Restoration of Status Canada
- IRCC Secure Account: GCKey and Sign-In Partner
- Dependent Child Open Work Permit Canada: Who Can Apply
Helpful Official Resources
- IRCC: Open Work Permit for Sponsored Spouses and Partners
- IRCC: Sponsor Your Spouse, Partner or Child
- IRCC Guide 5289: Spouse and Partner Sponsorship
- IRCC: Can a Sponsored Spouse Work While Waiting?
- IRCC: Apply for a Work Permit From Inside Canada
- IRCC: Current Application Fees
FAQ About Sponsored Spouse Open Work Permit Canada
Can a sponsored spouse work while waiting for permanent residence?
Yes, but only if the sponsored person holds a valid work permit or another legal work authorization.
Can a visitor apply for this open work permit?
Yes. A visitor living in Canada with the sponsor may apply after receiving the required AOR, provided the other eligibility requirements are met.
Can I apply immediately after submitting the sponsorship application?
Generally no. You normally need the PR AOR unless your temporary status expires in two weeks or less and you qualify for the limited exception.
What does the correct AOR look like?
It confirms that IRCC found the permanent residence application complete enough to process. The application number normally begins with F.
Can I apply without an AOR?
Only when your work permit, study permit or temporary status expires in two weeks or less and an eligible spouse or partner PR application has already been submitted.
Can an out-of-status spouse apply?
Some applicants covered by the spousal public policy may apply after receiving Approval in Principle. They generally need to submit the work permit application on paper.
How much does the application cost?
The standard total is generally $255, consisting of the $155 work permit processing fee and $100 open work permit holder fee.
Can I work immediately after submitting the application?
No, unless you already have valid or maintained work authorization. A visitor or student without work authorization must wait for approval.
Can I apply at a Canadian border?
No. The public policy does not permit an application at a port of entry.
Can a Family Class applicant qualify?
Possibly. A spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner sponsored under the Family Class may qualify if they are living in Canada with the sponsor and meet the other requirements.
Can a dependent child apply for an open work permit?
An accompanying dependent child may qualify when the principal applicant and child meet the policy’s PR application and residence requirements.
Can the open work permit be extended?
A qualifying applicant can apply for an additional two-year extension if the PR AOR was received and the permanent residence application is still being processed.
What happens if the PR application is returned?
An applicant cannot apply under this public policy when the permanent residence application has been returned, withdrawn or refused.
Can I travel while the work permit is processing?
You can leave Canada, but re-entry is not guaranteed. Travel may also affect maintained-status work authorization and the requirement to live in Canada with the sponsor.
Final Thoughts
Sponsored Spouse Open Work Permit Canada may allow an eligible spouse or partner to work while a Canadian permanent residence application is processed.
Most applicants should wait for the official PR AOR, confirm that they are living in Canada with the sponsor and submit the work permit application through the IRCC secure account.
Applicants whose temporary status expires in two weeks or less may qualify for the limited no-AOR exception. Applicants without valid status may need to wait for Approval in Principle and apply on paper.
Submitting the application does not automatically authorize employment. Continue following your current immigration conditions and do not start working until valid work authorization begins.
Last updated: July 2026