You and your Canadian partner may be able to work while waiting for a decision on spousal sponsorship in Canada.
Spouses and common-law partners of Canadians can get an open work permit while their inland sponsorship application for permanent residency is being processed.
Within 12 months, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) hopes to complete applications filed under the Spousal Sponsorship program. While waiting for an IRCC ruling, foreign spouses can work under the Open Work Permit Program. It can alleviate the financial and emotional strains of a lengthy application procedure by eliminating the need for a spouse to choose between living with their partner and working.
An open work permit is neither employer nor job-specific, and it permits the bearer to work for nearly any company in Canada without first obtaining a confirmed job offer. These work licenses usually last for two years, or until the applicant’s passport expires, whichever comes first.
The following conditions must be completed in order to get a spousal open work permit:
Under the Spousal/Common-Law Partner Sponsorship Immigration Program, an application for permanent residence must be submitted.
The candidate must share an address with the sponsor (spouse/common-law partner).
The candidate must be a visitor, student, or worker with a valid temporary residence status.
Under spousal or common-law partner sponsorship, both the applicant and the sponsor must fulfill all eligibility conditions.
It is feasible to simultaneously apply for an open work visa and sponsorship. After receiving an acknowledgment of receipt from IRCC, you can apply for a work permit online if you have already applied for sponsorship.
If the spouse or common-law partner’s status is ineligible at the time of application, IRCC will handle their work permit application once their permanent residence application has been accepted in principle.
(Source CIC News)
