Quick answer
Since 21 January 2025, a student's spouse or common-law partner can get an open work permit only if the student has a valid study permit and is studying in a master's program of 16 months or longer, a doctoral program, an eligible pilot program, or one of 11 listed professional degree programs at a university. The spouse's permit is usually valid for as long as the student's study permit.
Last reviewed against official Government of Canada sources. Rules change often: confirm with a counsellor before you apply.
- Rules in force since
- 21 January 2025
- Qualifying programs
- Master's of 16+ months, doctoral, listed professional degrees, eligible pilots
- Spouse's permit length
- Usually the same as the study permit
- Government fees
- Work permit CAD 155 + open work permit holder CAD 100
Which students' spouses qualify
The student must have a valid study permit and be studying in one of these:
- a master's degree program of 16 months or longer
- a doctoral degree program
- an eligible pilot program
- one of the professional degree programs below, at a university
The 11 professional degree programs
- 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)
Who doesn't qualify
If the student is in any other program, such as a college diploma, a PG diploma or a master's shorter than 16 months, their spouse can't get an open work permit based on the student's studies.
Why this matters when you choose a program
Program length now shapes your family's plans: a 16-month master's can let your spouse work while you study, while a 12-month master's or a PG diploma can't. Compare options in PG diploma vs master's, and see what each costs in Cost of studying in Canada.
Most of the time, the spouse's work permit is valid for the same period as the student's study permit. Applications are handled by licensed RCICs.
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