Good news for sponsored spouses, partners, and dependent children of sponsors! In the latest update by the end of May, the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has declared that sponsored spouses, partners, and dependent children accompanying their sponsor to Canada as temporary residents, are now eligible for open-work permits, allowing them to work in Canada while their application is being processed.
Under the terms of this new public policy, the IRCC aims to issue open-work permits to foreign nationals who choose to live and work in Canada under family class sponsorship, including their dependent children, if any.
These open work permits were initially available to only permanent residents of Canada, under the Inland Spousal Sponsorship program. Under the terms of this new policy, however, this benefit has been extended to include foreign nationals as well.
IRCC is of the opinion that such a step will only help in the financial stability of families and cater to labour shortages, as well as integrate them into the larger community.
What is an Open-Work Permit?
An Open Work Permit refers to a kind of work permit that does not depend on the kind of job or employment, that is, it is not job-specific. This ensures you do not need a Labour Market Impact Assessment as well as an Offer of Employment when applying for a work permit.
Who can apply for an Open Work Permit?
Any individual who meets the below mentioned eligibility conditions can apply for an open work permit-
- The applicant is an international student who has graduated from a Designated Learning Institution and hence is eligible for Post-Graduation Work Permit.
- The applicant has applied for Canada PR under Canada’s immigration programs.
- The applicant holds the status of temporary residence.
- The applicant is either a dependent family member or the spouse or conjugal partner of a person who has applied for Canada PR.
- The applicant is a young worker participating in the Worker Holiday Program.
How do I apply for an Open Work Permit?
Anyone can apply for an open work permit, irrespective of whether they are a permanent resident or a foreign national. In both cases, applicants must fill out the application form and submit the open work permit holder fee and the work permit processing fee after applying.
IRCC requirements for sponsored candidates
IRCC has decided to grant open work permits to the foreign nationals who meet the below mentioned eligibility conditions-
- The foreign national has submitted a work permit application, where the duration of the work permit is at least 2 years.
- The foreign national is the subject of a sponsorship application that has been submitted by the permanent resident of Canada who is either a spouse or a conjugal partner.
- The residential address matches the address of the spouse living in Canada.
- The foreign national holds a temporary resident status in Canada.
- The foreign national is a principal applicant who has applied for Permanent Residence in Canada, under the family class that has been accepted for processing by IRCC.
- The applicant is a dependent child that has been included in the application as an accompanying member, seeking permanent residence.
What is a family class sponsorship?
According to reports, more than 100,000 immigrants are welcomed in Canada under the family class sponsorship program, every year. The Canadian government supports such a policy so as to strengthen its economy and integrate families into the larger community.
The family sponsorship program offers you the following advantages-
- It allows your family member to immigrate to Canada and subsequently acquire Permanent Residence status.
- It requires you to make a basic commitment to provide for the financial needs of the family.
Sponsorship undertaking
| Sponsored person | Length of undertaking (excluding Quebec) |
| Spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner | 3 years |
| Dependent child | 10 years, or until age 25, whichever comes first |
| Dependent child 22 years of age or older | 3 years |
| Parent or grandparent | 20 years |
| Other relative | 10 years |
How to Apply for Family Sponsorship?
- Candidates must meet the eligibility requirements to become a sponsor
- Candidates must ensure their relatives meet the eligibility criteria for being a sponsored member
- Candidates must apply to the IRCC and submit their sponsorship application along with the permanent status application of their family members.
- Once the eligibility conditions are met, the IRCC shall review the submitted PR applications.
- Upon approval, candidates are expected to pay the sponsorship application fee.
- All applications must be sent to the right address.