Maple News reports that sponsored spouses or partners of Canadian permanent residents or citizens may be eligible to apply for an Open Work Permit (OWP) while their permanent residence application is being processed. This permit allows foreign nationals to work for almost any employer in Canada, offering financial stability and integration into Canadian society during the waiting period.
An Open Work Permit can be requested after the sponsor has submitted a permanent residence (PR) sponsorship application. The applicant must be physically present in Canada to apply. This permit is available to individuals who are part of either the Inland or Family Class sponsorship streams, provided they meet certain conditions.
To qualify for an OWP during sponsorship, the foreign spouse or partner must be in a genuine relationship with their sponsor, included in a submitted PR application, and have received an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). They also must reside in Canada with their sponsor.
However, eligibility is revoked if the PR application has been refused, withdrawn, or returned, or if the applicant intends to apply for a work permit at a port of entry.
The process differs depending on the partner’s current immigration status in Canada. If the spouse or partner holds a valid temporary status (e.g., visitor visa, work permit, or study permit), they can apply for an OWP through their IRCC secure account after receiving the AOR. In exceptional cases—such as when their temporary status is about to expire—they may apply without an AOR, as long as they have already submitted the sponsorship application.
In contrast, if the spouse or partner does not currently have valid temporary status, they must first receive an ‘approval in principle’ from IRCC before submitting an OWP application. Importantly, such individuals are not eligible to apply under any alternative public policies or pilot programs.
OWP applications submitted under the Inland Sponsorship category typically take about four months to process. During this time, applicants can remain in Canada with their sponsor and, once approved, begin contributing to the Canadian economy.
This initiative is part of Canada’s broader commitment to keeping families together while offering practical pathways to integration for new immigrants. For those navigating the PR sponsorship process, securing an OWP can provide significant peace of mind and financial flexibility.
Maple News continues to track immigration updates to keep families and newcomers fully informed on their options in Canada.