Work Permits for Family Members of Students and Workers

Work permits for family members

Spouses and common-law partners of certain foreign students and workers in Canada may be eligible to apply for an open work permit, allowing them to work for almost any employer in Canada.

For work permit holders, your family member's eligibility depends on:

• Whether you are on a pathway to permanent residence or have already applied for permanent residence, and
• The type of work you are doing in Canada.

For study permit holders, your family member's eligibility depends on the type of study program you are enrolled in. In many cases, your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for an open work permit if:

• You have a valid study permit, and
• You are studying in one of the following:
  • A PhD program
  • A master's degree program of 16 months or longer, or
  • An eligible professional program

Professional programs include:

• Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS, DMD)
• Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor (LLB, JD, BCL)
• Doctor of Medicine (MD)
• Doctor of Optometry (OD)
• Pharmacy (PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm)
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN, BSN)
• Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc)
• Bachelor of Nursing (BN)
• Bachelor of Education (BEd)
• Bachelor of Engineering (BEng, BE, BASc)

• Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP) (outside of QC)
• Le projet de reconnaissance des compétences d'infirmières et d'infirmiers recrutés à l'international (QC)
• Projet de reconnaissance des compétences d'inhalothérapeutes formés à l'étranger (QC)
• Projet de recrutement et reconnaissance des compétences de technologistes médicaux formés à l'étranger (QC)
• Supervised Practice Experience Partnership (ON)
• Nurse Re-Entry (Red River College Polytechnic) (MB)
• Internationally Educated Midwives Bridging Program (The University of British Columbia) (BC)
• Canadian Pharmacy Practice Program (CP3) (The University of British Columbia) (BC)
• Post-Degree Diploma: Nursing Practice in Canada (Langara College) (BC)

If you are unsure whether your spouse or partner qualifies for an open work permit, I can review your situation and explain the options for your family to live, study, and work in Canada.