Required Documents For A Spousal Open Work Permit Application
IRCC generates a personalized document checklist in the IRCC secure account after the online eligibility questionnaire is completed to reflect the Spousal Open Work Permit requirements that apply to the applicant. The list of required documents for a spouse or common-law partner depends on the applicant’s situation, including whether the principal applicant is an international student, a foreign worker, or applying through another eligible pathway. Your personalized IRCC checklist will usually include most of the documents you need for your open work permit application, but some application types may also require extra supporting documents or special upload instructions. Applicants should follow the instructions in their account, label files clearly, and check the account regularly, as IRCC may request additional documents at any stage of processing.
General Documents
Most Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) applications require a core set of identity, relationship, and supporting documents.
IDENTITY & STATUS
- Passport (biographical page + any pages with stamps/visas/markings, if requested)
- Digital photo (as specified in your checklist)
- If applying inside Canada: proof of current temporary resident status (work permit, study permit, or visitor record, if applicable)
- If applying for Spouse Open Work Permit Extension from inside Canada: a copy of the current work permit
APPLICATION FORM
Use the form that matches your application type based on whether you’re applying from inside or outside Canada. Do not submit both forms.
RELATIONSHIP PROOF
- Spouses: official government-issued marriage certificate
- Common-law partners: IMM 5409 plus supporting proof of cohabitation such as a joint lease, joint utility bills, shared bank account statements, government IDs showing the same address, insurance documents, or other records covering the cohabitation period.
FAMILY INFORMATION FORM (IF REQUESTED)
TRANSLATIONS (IF APPLICABLE)
For any document not in English or French, submit:
- complete English/French translation
- certified copy of the original document
- translator affidavit, if required (for example, if not completed by a certified translator)
- Upload the original document, the translation, and any required affidavit or certification together in the same document slot whenever possible.
BIOMETRICS (IF REQUIRED)
Most applicants aged 14 to 79 need biometrics unless exempt or already on file. If required, IRCC will send instructions after submission.
MEDICAL EXAM (IF REQUIRED)
Some applicants may need a medical exam before or during the application process, depending on the work they plan to do in Canada or their recent residence or travel history. If you complete an upfront medical exam before applying, upload the medical information sheet or proof of the exam with your application, where applicable.
OPTIONAL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS (RECOMMENDED)
- Additional relationship evidence (joint lease, shared finances, photos over time, travel history, etc.)
- For the worker category: employment contract and additional recent pay stubs, if helpful or requested
- You may also include Spousal Open Work Permit Proof of Funds if it helps clarify how you’ll support yourself in Canada.
- Letter of Explanation, if needed to clarify your relationship, status, document history, or application circumstances
Important tip
Upload only the documents requested in your IRCC account, plus clearly relevant supporting evidence. Check your IRCC account regularly for messages and document requests. If your spousal open work permit application was refused, learn what to do next before you reapply, including how to review the refusal, address the issues, and prepare a stronger new application. After you apply, you can also check the latest Spousal Open Work Permit processing time to estimate how long IRCC may take to process your application.
Spouses of International Students
- Proof of enrolment in an eligible program (for example, a master’s program of at least 16 months, a doctoral program, certain professional degree programs, or another currently eligible IRCC-listed program). The document should confirm that the student is enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI) in a program that qualifies for spousal open work permit eligibility.
- Copy of the student’s valid study permit, if requested. The study permit should show that the student holds valid study status in Canada and that the permit remains valid at the time of the SOWP application.
- Proof of full-time enrolment , such as a letter of enrolment from the school or an official transcript confirming that the student is actively studying on a full-time basis in the eligible program.
Spouses of Foreign Workers
If the principal applicant is a foreign worker, documents confirming their valid work status and eligible employment may be required to support the Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) application. Not all spouses of foreign workers qualify for a SOWP. Eligibility depends on the worker’s current category and whether it falls under an IRCC-eligible stream. The same general document requirements can apply when the principal applicant holds a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), provided the PGWP holder meets the current IRCC eligibility rules for spouses of foreign workers.
- Copy of the principal applicant’s valid work permit (or Letter of Introduction / Port of Entry (POE) Letter, if applicable), showing that the worker holds valid authorization to work in Canada.
- Proof that the worker’s authorization will remain valid for at least 16 months after IRCC receives the application, if required for the specific SOWP eligibility stream.
- Proof that the worker is employed in an eligible occupation, which may include:
- an employer letter confirming job title, duties, and the NOC/TEER classification of the position
- recent pay stubs (recommended and commonly requested) showing ongoing employment and income.
Learn more about the Spousal Open Work Permit for spouses of foreign workers.
Applying for SOWP During PR Sponsorship
This checklist commonly applies to inland spousal sponsorship applicants seeking permanent residence and applying for an open work permit from inside Canada.
- Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) confirming the PR sponsorship application passed the completeness check
- Proof of valid temporary resident status in Canada, if applicable
- IMM 5707 (Family Information Form), if requested
- If a dependent child is included in the file, supporting family documents may also be required.
- Birth certificates of dependent children, if applicable, showing both parents’ names. These documents help show the relationship between the applicant, the sponsor, and any accompanying family members.
- Upload documents exactly where your personalized checklist instructs (often under “Client Information”)
You can also learn more about how to apply for permanent residence through Spousal Sponsorship in Canada.This checklist commonly applies to inland spousal sponsorship applicants seeking permanent residence and applying for an open work permit from inside Canada.
