WORK PERMIT FOR THE ACCOMPANYING SPOUSE OF A SKILLED TEMPORARY WORKER

Spouses of highly skilled temporary workers entering Canada are allowed to apply for "open", i.e. non-employer specific, work permits. No labour market opinion or job offer is required. Please note that the term spouse includes both common-law and same-sex partners who have been cohabiting with the principal applicant in a conjugal relationship for at least one year prior to the application. Please click here for details about how to prove you are in a common-law relationship.

This work permit can be processed at the same time as the application for the principal applicant is being processed.

For a spouse to be eligible, there are two main requirements:

1)      the principal applicant is applying for a work permit which is valid for at least six months.

2)      the employment to which the principal applicant is destined must be in an occupation listed in the "management and professional" or "technical and skilled trades" sections of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. The NOC web page is at:

www23.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/2001/e/generic/welcome.shtml

NB Spouses of applicants who are applying for work permits to work as truck drivers are NOT eligible for open work permits.

How to Apply

A spouse who is interested in obtaining a work permit under this program should declare their intention to work when the principal applicant makes an application. The spouse must provide a completed work permit application form and the processing fee. Please see the Fees page on how to calculate the correct fees.

Please note that for certain occupations medical clearances are required. Typical occupations of this kind are: primary and secondary education, childcare and the healthcare professions. If you think you may be working in one of these fields, you must indicate this on your application form. You will have to undergo a medical examination, which will extend processing times. If you do not undergo a medical examination, you will not be able to work in any of these occupations. The medical examination instructions including a list of designated medical practitioners to carry this out will be mailed to you after we receive your application.

Where to Apply

Either at the Mission abroad or alternatively, an application can be made after arriving in Canada by post to the Case Processing Centre in Vegreville, Alberta.