Apply for an Open Work Permit (Spouse or Common-Law Partner)

If you are enrolled full-time at the University of Lethbridge, your spouse or common-law partner may apply for an open work permit to work in Canada without proof of a job offer or a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This open work permit, often called a "Spousal Open Work Permit", would be valid for the same duration of time as your study permit. ​

Your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for an open work permit if you (the international student):

• have a valid study permit
• are a full-time student (at least 3 courses or 9 credits) at the University of Lethbridge and
• are in a program that is eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP)

When to Apply

Many students and their spouse or common-law partner will choose to apply for their initial study permit and spousal open work permit together before travelling to Canada.

• If applying from outside Canada, you and your spouse/common-law partner may submit the applications together and if they are approved, the study permit and work permit will be issued upon arrival in Canada.

Some spouses or common-law partners will enter Canada as visitors, with either a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), and will apply for the open work permit after entering Canada.

• If applying from inside Canada, the open work permit application can be submitted at any time, as long as their visitor status (TRV or eTA) is still valid when they apply. Your spouse or common-law partner can only start working after they receive the physical work permit.

How to Apply

Applications for a Spousal Open Work Permit are typically made online through an IRCC online account.

• Apply online from outside Canada:See IRCC’s instruction guide for work permit applications submitted from outside Canada
  
• Apply online from inside Canada:See IRCC’s instruction guide for a work permit applications submitted from inside Canada

Required Documents (Outside Canada applicants)

For spouses and common-law partners applying for the Open Work Permit at the same time as their spouse's study permit application​, before entering Canada, you will need the following documents:

​1) IMM 1295 - Application for Work Permit Made Outside of Canada

• The application form can be downloaded from your document checklist once you have followed the steps to log in to your IRCC online account.
• ​Tip: Use the IMM 5487 Instruction Guide for assistance completing the form

2) IMM 5707 or IMM 5645 - Family Information

• The application form can be downloaded from your document checklist once you have followed the steps to log in to your IRCC online account.
• This form must be completed by those 18 years old or older
• Note: You must complete the Family Information form (either IMM 5707 or IMM 5645) listed in the application package/document checklist for your region.

3) Proof of Identity

• A valid passport or travel document that guarantees you re-entry to the country or territory that issued it
• Tip: Scan all pages of the valid passport that have a stamp, visa and the biographical page. Combine all images into one PDF file.

4) A digital photo​

• Must show full front view of head, face in the middle and include the top of the shoulders, neutral expression
• Visa application photograph specifications state that the image size is at least 420 by 540 pixels

4) Letter of Acceptance

Required Documents (Inside Canada applicants)

For spouses and common-law partners applying for the Open Work Permit after entering Canada as a visitor, you will need the following documents:

​1) IMM 5710 - Application to Change Conditions or Extend your Stay in Canada

• The application form can be downloaded from your document checklist once you have followed the steps to log in to your IRCC online account.
• ​Tip: Use the IMM 5553 Instruction Guide for assistance completing the form

2) IMM 5707 or IMM 5645 - Family Information

• The application form can be downloaded from your document checklist once you have followed the steps to log in to your IRCC online account.
• This form must be completed by those 18 years old or older
• Note: You must complete the Family Information form (either IMM 5707 or IMM 5645) listed in the application package/document checklist for your region.

3) Proof of Identity

• A valid passport or travel document that guarantees you re-entry to the country or territory that issued it
• Tip: Scan all pages of the valid passport that have a stamp, visa and the biographical page. Combine all images into one PDF file.

4) A Digital Photo​

• Must show full front view of head, face in the middle and include the top of the shoulders, neutral expression
• Visa application photograph specifications state that the image size is at least 420 by 540 pixels

4) Verification of Enrolment Letter

To apply online for a an Open Work Permit, follow steps 1 - 5 below:

Use these steps if you are outside Canada and wish to apply for the Spousal Open Work Permit at the same time as the principal applicant's Study Permit application.

1. Creating an Online Account and Application

Create an online account through IRCC if you haven't already or if you account has expired . We recommend creating a GCKey. If you haven't already created an account, click the "Register" button at the bottom of the page. Create a username, password, and security questions.

• Once logged in to your account, under “Start an application” near the bottom of the page, click “Apply to come to Canada”
  
• Under “I do not have a Personal Reference Code”, click “Visitor, study and/or work permit”
  
• Complete the questionnaire. Make sure you indicate your country of residence is the country you are applying from. If completed correctly, the questionnaire should indicate that you are eligible to apply for a PGWP (in Canada). Select that option and click “Continue” until you arrive at your document checklist.
  

2. Completing the Application Form

In the document checklist, click on “Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker (IMM5710)” to download the form.

When you click on this link, you may see "Please Wait. " message on a white page. From here, use the download button in your browser to download the PDF document. If you do not have Adobe Reader, follow the instructions on the "Please Wait. " page to download it now. Use Adobe Reader to open the IMM5709e file.

Use the Instruction Guide 5580 help you complete the IMM 5710.

Here are some important tips for completing the application:

• Personal details: UCI is your Universal Client Identification number. You can find this number listed under Client ID on your study permit. Enter the number without spaces or dashes.
  • Select “Student” as current status in Canada. Choose your “from” date as study permit issue date and the “to” date as the study permit expiry date. You will find both dates on your study permit.
    
  • **No information is required for questions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7.
  • The University of Lethbridge's Designated Learning Institution (DLI) number for Lethbridge and Calgary campus is O18776949622 (first letter is capital O and not zero)
  • Cost of studies should be entered for one academic year and Room and Board cost should also be entered for 1 year (please enter this amount as $10,000 for a single person, and add $4000 for a spouse if they are residing with you in Canada).
    
  • If you have no employment history, write “Student” as your current activity, the University of Lethbridge’s as your employer, and include details of when you started and stopped studying in this section.
    

  Validate & Upload: When you have completed the application form, click the blue “Validate” button at the end of the form. If you have made mistakes or missed any fields, these sections will be highlighted red and you will need to complete these areas prior to attempting to validate again. Once you have successfully validated, a page of black bar codes will be generated as the final page of the document. Save the validated form on your computer and then upload this form in the IRCC account.

  3. Uploading your Documents

  Upload your supporting documents:

  • 
    
  • Scanned copy of passport
    • Scan all pages of the valid passport that have a stamp, visa and the biographical page. Consolidate all images into one PDF file.
      
    • ​Frame size must be at least 35mm X 45mm. This photo does not need to be an official passport photo but must show full front view of head, face in the middle and include the top of the shoulders against a white backdrop.
      

    4. Paying and Submitting

    Once you have completed and uploaded all necessary documents, you will click “Continue” at the bottom of the page.

    • The fee for the SOWP is $155 CAD as well as an additional $100 Open Work Permit Holder fee for a total application fee of $255 CAD.
      
    • Take screenshots of any confirmation numbers regarding payment and application submission. If you need to leave the application and return at any time within 60 of you creating the application in your account.
      
    • You will be able to follow the processing of your application via your GCKey account. If IRCC requests any additional documents for your application, you will receive an email from IRCC and instructions on how to submit the document. If you submit your application online, you should be able to the requested documents via your IRCC account.

    What Happens Next

    If the Spousal Open Work Permit application is approved, IRCC will notify you with a message in your GCKey account. They will mail your work permit to the mailing address that you specified on your IMM5710.

    • Check processing times: Select "Temporary residence" > Work permit extension

    This guide has been written by a Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor (RISIA) in accordance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations. The information provided is subject to change at any time. While we will endeavor to update this page regularly, please always see the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website for the most current information.