Who counts as a family member
For these permits a family member is a spouse or common-law partner, a dependent child, or a dependent child of a dependent child (a grandchild). A dependent child is generally under 22 and not a spouse or partner, or 22 or older and unable to support themselves because of a physical or mental condition. A dependent child cannot be the principal applicant. The relationship must be genuine.
Everyone in the family must also meet the general requirements for a work permit. If a family member is in Canada, they must have valid temporary resident status, be on maintained status (they applied to extend before their status expired), or be eligible to restore their status as a visitor, worker or student.
Family members of foreign workers
There are four main situations. Find the one that describes the principal worker.
| Principal worker | Who in the family can apply | Main conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Applied for permanent residence in an economic program or pilot | Spouse or partner, dependent children and their dependent children | The principal holds or is approved for a work permit (not a family-member permit), it is valid at least 6 months after IRCC receives the family member's application, the principal lives or will live and work in Canada, and the permit was issued or approved because of the economic PR application. |
| In TEER 4 or 5, on a PR pathway but has not yet applied for PR | Spouse or partner, dependent children and their dependent children | The principal is on a listed pathway (for example the Provincial Nominee Program, Quebec selection, Atlantic Immigration Program, Agri-Food Pilot, Yukon Community Pilot, Start-up Visa Program) and their work authorization is valid at least 6 months after IRCC receives the family member's application. |
| High-skilled, not on a PR pathway | Spouse or partner only | The principal works in TEER 0 or 1, or in one of the listed TEER 2 or 3 occupations, and their permit or work authorization is valid at least 16 months after IRCC receives the spouse's application. |
| Low-skilled (TEER 4 or 5), not on a PR pathway | No new open permits | Since January 21, 2025. Family members already in Canada with a permit may be able to extend it (see below). |
The economic programs and pilots that count include the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades classes, Provincial Nominee Program, Atlantic Immigration Program, Agri-Food Pilot, caregiver classes and the Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker pilots (Direct to PR stream), Quebec skilled workers and investors with a CSQ, Rural Community Immigration Pilot, Francophone Community Immigration Pilot, Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, and the start-up business class.
Listed TEER 2 and 3 occupations
The high-skilled measure accepts any TEER 0 or 1 occupation but only selected TEER 2 and 3 occupations. IRCC's list includes, among others, many engineering and science technologists and technicians, licensed practical nurses, paramedics, pharmacy technicians, dental hygienists, early childhood educators, most construction and industrial trades (electricians, plumbers, carpenters, welders, heavy-duty mechanics), transport truck drivers, heavy equipment operators, nurse aides, and elementary and secondary school teacher assistants. Check the exact five-digit National Occupational Classification (NOC) code against IRCC's list before applying.
Who does not make a family eligible
Under the measures for TEER 4 or 5 workers on a PR pathway and for high-skilled workers, family members cannot qualify through a principal who has made a refugee claim referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board, who is subject to an unenforceable removal order, who holds a spousal open work permit themselves, or who is an international student working without a work permit (including in a co-op program, for the TEER 4 or 5 measure). For the high-skilled measure, a study permit holder also does not qualify, and a PGWP applicant qualifies only once the PGWP has been approved.
Special cases added in 2026
B.C. significant investment projects
Since March 23, 2026, the spouse of a worker on a significant investment project (SIP) in British Columbia can apply, at any TEER level, without the 16-month rule. The spouse enters SIPSPOUSEBC as the job title on the form. If the spouse applies separately, the application includes a copy of the principal's permit application and the provincial support letter naming the project.
Quebec-recruited health professionals
Since May 25, 2026, the spouse of a foreign-trained registered nurse (NOC 31301), respiratory therapist (32103) or medical laboratory technologist (32120) recruited by Quebec is exempt from the 16-month rule. The spouse enters CONJOINTSANTEQC as the job title. If the spouse applies separately, the application includes a copy of the principal's application and the principal's Québec letter of selection for the recognition program.
Quebec PSTQ applicants
Since June 5, 2026, the spouse or partner of a temporary worker who applied for permanent selection under Quebec's Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ) may qualify if included in the selection application. Dependent children are not eligible under this measure. The spouse applies online, enters PPTR2PRQC2026 as the job title, and uploads proof of inclusion in the selection application and of the relationship. The usual $155 and $100 fees apply. The policy expires on December 31, 2026.
Free trade agreements
Spouses of workers under certain free trade agreements (for example CETA, CPTPP, and the agreements with Colombia, Korea and the United Kingdom for specific categories) have their own spousal permits. If that route does not apply, the spouse may still use the measures above.
Extensions for family members already in Canada
A family member in Canada who received an open permit before January 21, 2025 can apply to extend it, even after that date, if their current permit is shorter than the principal's and they apply before it expires. No permit can be issued beyond the principal's permit or the family member's own passport or biometrics validity, so renew a passport early when it would shorten the permit.
Spouses of international students
Since January 21, 2025, the spouse or common-law partner of a student may be eligible only if the student holds a valid study permit and is in one of these:
- a master's degree program of 16 months or longer;
- a doctoral program;
- a listed professional degree program at a university: Doctor of Dental Surgery, Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor, Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Optometry, Pharmacy, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Nursing Science, Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Education or Bachelor of Engineering;
- an eligible program: the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (outside Quebec), listed Quebec projects for nurses, respiratory therapists and medical technologists, Ontario's Supervised Practice Experience Partnership, Manitoba's Nurse Re-Entry program (Red River College Polytechnic), and listed British Columbia midwifery, pharmacy and nursing programs.
Spouses of students in college diplomas, most bachelor's programs or master's programs shorter than 16 months are not eligible for this permit. Dependent children of students cannot get an open work permit under this measure. The spouse proves the student's enrolment with a letter of acceptance, a proof of enrolment letter or transcripts, plus proof of the relationship. The permit is usually valid for the same period as the study permit.
A spouse who already holds a permit under this stream may extend it if the student still has a valid study permit, is in Canada, is a full-time student in a PGWP-eligible program at a DLI and is not in the last term. The extension cannot go beyond the student's study permit.
Sponsored spouses and partners in Canada
A spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner living in Canada who is being sponsored for permanent residence (spouse or common-law partner in Canada class, or family class) may apply for an open work permit under a temporary public policy. Accompanying dependent children who live with the principal applicant and the sponsor may also apply. Conjugal partners qualify only under the family class, and you must live at the same address as your sponsor.
- Wait for the acknowledgement of receiptThe PR application must be complete and in processing. The AOR letter shows an application number beginning with F. Exception: you may apply without the AOR if your permit or status expires in 2 weeks or less and you have already submitted the PR application.
- Hold valid temporary statusA valid visitor record, work or study permit, temporary resident permit, maintained status, or a restoration application you are eligible for.
- Apply online in CanadaNot at a port of entry. On the form, select Open Work Permit, enter SCLPC FC OWP as the job title and SCLPC FC applicant in Canada public policy as the duties. Upload the AOR and proof of status in "Client information", and include the Family Information form (IMM 5707), the marriage certificate or IMM 5409 and children's birth certificates.
- Extend if neededThe permit is issued for up to 24 months (or until the passport expires). If no decision has been made on the PR application, you can extend for 2 more years under the policy.
Family of other permanent residence applicants
When the principal worker holds a bridging open work permit as an economic-class PR applicant, the accompanying spouse and dependent children may qualify under the economic PR measure described above. Family members of PR applicants must already be listed as dependants in the principal's PR application before they submit the open work permit application. Family members of protected persons and of in-Canada applicants approved in principle under the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class or on humanitarian and compassionate grounds may receive an unrestricted open permit under R207.
General requirements and admissibility
- Prove the relationshipA marriage certificate, or the Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union (IMM 5409) with evidence of at least one year of living together, and children's birth certificates showing both parents.
- Prove the principal's situationA copy of the principal's work or study permit (or approval letter), an employment letter or contract showing the NOC code and job, an enrolment letter, or the PR acknowledgement of receipt, as the category requires.
- Meet temporary-resident requirementsA valid passport, enough funds, a truthful history, and admissibility. A medical exam is required for some countries of residence and for work in health care, child care or schools.
When and where to apply
| Situation | Options | Caution |
|---|---|---|
| Principal applying from outside Canada | Apply online together, or separately after the principal applies. Apply together at the port of entry only if everyone is eligible to apply there. | The principal must enter Canada before or at the same time as the family. |
| Principal is an IEC participant | The family member applies separately, only after the principal is approved as an IEC participant and has entered Canada. | The family member must still meet one of the family-member measures above. |
| Principal getting a new (first) permit in Canada | The family member must apply separately, after the principal has applied. Applying at the same time is not possible. | The family member must also be allowed to apply from inside Canada. |
| Principal extending a permit in Canada | Apply online together or separately afterwards. | The family member must also be allowed to apply from inside Canada. |
| Principal applying for a PGWP | Apply together, or separately after the PGWP application is submitted. | The family application may be refused if the PGWP has not been decided by the time it is processed. |
Fees
| Item | Fee | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Work permit | $155 | Per family member. |
| Open work permit holder fee | $100 | Refunded if the application is refused; the $155 work permit processing fee is not refunded. |
| Biometrics | $85 per person; $170 maximum per family applying together | When required. |
| Restoration with a new permit | $401.25 | Each family member who lost status pays separately; there is no family rate. |
Frequently asked questions
My spouse is a college student. Can I get an open work permit?
Not under the student-spouse measure, unless the program is one of the listed eligible programs. You may qualify through your own work permit, study permit or another category.
My spouse works in TEER 3 and has 12 months left on the permit. Am I eligible?
Under the high-skilled measure, no: the occupation must be on IRCC's TEER 3 list and the authorization must be valid at least 16 more months. If your spouse has applied for permanent residence in an economic program, the 6-month rule may apply instead.
Can our 19-year-old child get an open work permit?
Only if the principal is on an economic PR pathway as described above, or in the family of a sponsored spouse, vulnerable worker, protected person or other category that includes children. Children are excluded from the high-skilled worker and student-spouse measures.
Is a permit issued before January 21, 2025 still valid?
Yes. Permits issued before the change remain valid until they expire, and in-Canada family members may extend them to match the principal's permit if they apply in time.
Official sources
- IRCC: Open work permits for family members of foreign workers
- IRCC: Family members of foreign workers: who can apply
- IRCC: Family members: when you can apply
- IRCC: Family members: how we process your application
- IRCC: Help your spouse or common-law partner work in Canada (students)
- IRCC: Open work permit for sponsored spouses and partners
- IRCC: Spouses of Quebec PSTQ applicants
- IRCC program delivery instructions: Work permit options for family members of foreign workers
- IRCC program delivery instructions: Open work permits for SCLPC and family class applicants
- IRCC notice: Changes to open work permits for family members (January 2025)
- IRCC: Fee list
This page is general information about Canadian immigration law and policy as of the date above. It is not legal advice for your situation. Programs, forms and fees change often; check the official sources before you apply.