Can a spouse work in Canada on a visitor visa?

 A visitor visa is strictly for temporary purposes such as visiting family, tourism, or short-term personal travel. Even if the visitor is married to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, visitor status does not include work authorization. This means a spouse in Canada on a visitor visa cannot work for a Canadian employer, work remotely for a Canadian company, or engage in any paid activity inside Canada.

For spouses, this rule often causes confusion because being married or having a sponsorship application in process does not change visitor conditions. Until a spouse receives a valid work permit or becomes a permanent resident, they must not work in any capacity.

There are only two common lawful ways a spouse may eventually work in Canada:

• By qualifying for and receiving a Spouse Open Work permit (for example, through an inland spousal sponsorship open work permit), or
• By becoming a permanent resident after sponsorship approval

If a spouse works without authorization while on a visitor visa, IRCC may consider this a serious violation. Consequences can include refusal of future visas, problems with sponsorship applications, or findings of non-compliance.

Many couples also ask how visitor status fits with long-term immigration plans. Canada allows dual intent, meaning a spouse can visit Canada temporarily while also planning permanent residence, as long as they fully respect visitor rules. To better understand this concept, you may want to read “Is dual intent allowed in Canada?”

If you are unsure whether your spouse may qualify for a work permit or how to plan next steps safely, our Toronto immigration consultants can guide you. You can review our Visitor Visa for Spouse fees, and for personalized advice, you may book a consultation or explore the Visitor Visa for Spouse program to plan your next steps with confidence.