If you are applying for Inland Spousal Sponsorship and currently hold valid temporary status in Canada, you can apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP). This allows you to work for almost any employer in Canada while waiting for your permanent residence. The government fee is $255 CAD.
Waiting for a permanent residence application to be approved can be financially straining for young couples. 💼 Fortunately, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recognizes that families need dual incomes to survive in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal. To ease this burden, the government offers the Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) as part of the Inland family sponsorship pathway.
An open work permit is incredibly valuable because it is not tied to a specific job or a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). 🚀 You can change employers freely, start your own business, or work part-time. However, strict eligibility rules apply, and ensuring you maintain valid legal status in Canada throughout the entire process is critical to securing your right to work.
Step-by-Step Process for the Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP)
The process of applying for a SOWP requires precise timing. 📍 Most applicants file their work permit application online shortly after their permanent residence application has been accepted into the IRCC system. Here is the standard progression for applicants residing in Canada.
Step 1: Ensure Inland Eligibility and Valid Status
To qualify for the SOWP, you must be living in Canada at the same address as your Canadian citizen or PR sponsor. 📝 More importantly, you must currently have valid temporary status as a visitor, student, or worker. If your visitor visa expired and you are “out of status,” you generally cannot apply for the work permit until your permanent residence application reaches the “Approval in Principle” stage, which takes much longer.
Step 2: Submit the PR Application and Wait for AOR
You cannot simply apply for the work permit out of nowhere. 📄 You must first submit your complete Inland Spousal Sponsorship application via the IRCC Permanent Residence Portal. Wait a few weeks until you receive your Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) email, which contains your official Application Number. You need this number to prove to IRCC that your sponsorship file is active.
Step 3: Complete Form IMM 5710
Log into your IRCC Secure Account (GCKey) and start a new application to “Apply to Come to Canada” and select the work permit option. 💻 You will need to complete Form IMM 5710 (Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker). In the form, clearly indicate that you are applying for an open work permit as an applicant under the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class.
Step 4: Gather Supporting Documents
You must upload several digital documents to support your work permit request. 📸 This typically includes a digital copy of your passport, a digital photograph, proof of your current status in Canada (like a visitor record or study permit stamp), and a copy of your AOR letter. Having a Canadian immigration lawyer review your documents can prevent unnecessary delays.
Step 5: Pay Fees and Submit Online
Once all documents are uploaded, you will be prompted to pay the federal government fees securely via credit card. 💳 After payment, click submit. You will receive a confirmation message, and you can track the status of your work permit directly inside your IRCC account portal.
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
Securing an open work permit involves specific federal processing fees. 💰 As of May 2026, you must pay both the standard work permit fee and the open work permit holder fee.
- Standard Work Permit Fee: $155 CAD.
- Open Work Permit Holder Fee: $100 CAD.
- Total Government Cost: $255 CAD payable to IRCC.
- Biometrics Fee (If applicable): If you haven’t given biometrics in the last 10 years, you must pay an additional $85 CAD.
- Immigration Lawyer Retainer: If you hire a law firm to manage both your PR and Work Permit applications, overall fees generally range from $3,500 CAD to $6,000 CAD.
| Application Type | Government Fee (CAD) | Validity Period |
|---|---|---|
| Spousal Open Work Permit | $255 | Usually 1 to 2 Years |
| Biometrics Collection | $85 | 10 Years |
How Long Does the Process Take?
Patience is required while your application is in the queue. ⌖ Once you receive your AOR and submit the SOWP application online, IRCC processing times for inland open work permits generally range between 3 to 5 months. During this waiting period, if your original visitor or student status expires, you benefit from “Maintained Status” (formerly implied status) and can legally remain in Canada, though you cannot start working until the actual permit arrives in your mailbox.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I apply for the SOWP if I am doing an Outland Sponsorship?
Historically, outland applicants could not. However, recent IRCC policies allow spouses living outside of Canada to apply for a temporary resident visa and a spousal open work permit, but the rules are more complex. Consulting a lawyer is advised.
Do I need a job offer to apply for this work permit?
No. An open work permit does not require a job offer or a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). You can find a job after the permit is approved.
Can I work in healthcare or childcare with an open work permit?
It depends. If you want to work in jobs where public health is a factor (nursing, teaching, childcare), you must complete a Canadian immigration medical exam upfront, otherwise, your permit will have printed restrictions forbidding those jobs.
Can I leave Canada while waiting for my work permit?
It is highly discouraged. Leaving Canada during an Inland Sponsorship can result in you being denied re-entry at the border. If you cannot re-enter, your Inland PR application and work permit application will be abandoned.
What happens to my work permit if my PR application is refused?
If your spousal sponsorship application is officially refused by IRCC, your spousal open work permit will also be refused or eventually revoked, and you will need to leave Canada or find another pathway to stay.
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