Guide to apply for an Open Work Permit for the spouse of an international student in Canada
Nếu bạn là vợ/chồng hoặc người chung sống như vợ chồng (common-law partner) của một du học sinh, bạn có thể đủ điều kiện xin Open Work Permit (OWP) – Giấy phép lao động mở. Đây là loại giấy phép cho phép làm việc cho hầu hết các ngành nghề và nhà tuyển dụng tại Canada, với thời hạn tối đa bằng thời hạn giấy phép học tập (study permit) của du học sinh.
1. Conditions for applying for an Open Work Permit
1.1. Study program for international students
The person studying in Canada (your spouse) must be enrolled full-time in one of the following programs:
- PhD/Doctoral program
- Master's degree from 16 months or more
- Accredited professional programs include:
- Dentistry: Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS, DMD)
- Law: Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor (LLB, JD, BCL)
- Medicine: Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- Vision: Doctor of Optometry (OD)
- Pharmacy: PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm
- Veterinary Medicine: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
- Nursing: BScN, BSN, BNSc, BN
- Pedagogy: Bachelor of Education (BEd)
- Engineering: Bachelor of Engineering (BEng, BE, BASc)
1.2. Conditions on personal qualifications
- OWP applicants must meet medical and criminal record entry requirements (no serious criminal record).
- Giấy phép lao động của vợ/chồng không được dài hơn giấy phép học tập của du học sinh và không thể gia hạn nếu sinh viên đang ở học kỳ cuối.
1.3. Definition of spouse and common-law partner
- Spouse: Legally married in any country.
- Common-law partner: Living together as husband and wife for at least 12 consecutive months, separated only briefly for legitimate reasons (work, family, etc.).
2. Additional special programs
In addition to the above programs, if the international student participates in certain pilot programs or designated occupation programs, the spouse may be eligible to apply for OWP when the official application period begins.
| Program | Province/Territory | Time to start submitting |
| Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP) | Outside Quebec | From August 26, 2024 |
| International Nursing Degree Recognition Project | Quebec | From April 30, 2024 |
| International Respiratory Skills Recognition Project | Quebec | From January 21, 2025 |
| International Medical Technical Skills Recognition Project | Quebec | From January 21, 2025 |
| Supervised Practice Experience Partnership | Ontario | From January 21, 2025 |
| Nurse Re-Entry – Red River College Polytechnic | Manitoba | From January 21, 2025 |
| Internationally Educated Midwives Bridging Program – UBC | British Columbia | From January 21, 2025 |
| Canadian Pharmacy Practice Program (CP3) – UBC | British Columbia | From January 21, 2025 |
| Post-Degree Diploma: Nursing Practice in Canada – Langara College | British Columbia | From January 21, 2025 |
3. Application documents and process
3.1. Prepare documents
Proof that the international student is studying full-time at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and in an eligible program is required:
- Letter of Enrollment or latest transcript.
- Copy of valid study permit of international student.
3.2. Application steps
- Đọc Instruction Guide trên trang web IRCC để hiểu cách điền từng mục.
- Use IRCC's online tool to create a personalized document checklist.
- Create an account on the IRCC portal or log in to an existing account.
- Pay the required fees and submit your application online.
4. Open Work Permit Extension
Có thể gia hạn OWP nếu đáp ứng đồng thời:
- International students must have a valid study permit and be present in Canada.
- Continue full-time study in a program that qualifies for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
- Not in the final semester of the course.
Summary
Việc xin Open Work Permit cho vợ/chồng du học sinh là cơ hội tuyệt vời để làm việc và tích lũy kinh nghiệm tại Canada, miễn là đáp ứng các điều kiện về chương trình học, tình trạng hôn nhân và giấy tờ chứng minh.
