Spouses or common-law partners of skilled workers coming to Canada or working in Canada may apply for an open work permit without having an offer of employment. A dependent spouse or common-law partner is eligible to apply for an open work permit under Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exemption code C41 if the principal foreign worker:

• Holds a work permit that is valid for a period of at least 6 months, or, if working under the authority of section R186 without a work permit, presents evidence that they will be working for a minimum of 6 months.
• Is employed in an occupation that falls within National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type 0, A or B.
• Physically resides or plans to physically reside in Canada while working.

Specific eligibility requirements for different programs

Spouses or common-law partners of Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) work permit holders

Spouses or common-law partners may apply for an open work permit if their spouse or common-law partner is an AIP participant and is employed in an NOC skill type 0, A, B or C position.

Spouses or common-law partners of bridging open work permit (BOWP) holders

If the principal foreign worker has obtained a bridging open work permit (BOWP), the following eligibility requirements apply:

• Work permits of principal foreign worker must be valid for 6 months or longer.
• For spouses or common-law partners of federal skilled worker class (FSWC) applicants, the BOWP holder must be performing work that falls within NOC skill type 0, A or B.
• Spouses or common-law partners of provincial nominee class (PNC) applicants may qualify for an open work permit irrespective of the skill level of the principal PNC applicant’s occupation.
• For spouses or common-law partners of federal skilled trades class (FSTC) applicants, the BOWP holder must be performing work that is within one of the skilled trade occupations in NOC B.
• For spouses or common-law partners of Canadian experience class (CEC) applicants, there are no set preconditions to be met by the principal CEC applicant.
  
• For spouses or common-law partners of caregiver applicants (application for permanent residence under the caring for children class or caring for people with high medical needs class received before June 18, 2019), the BOWP holder must be performing work within one of the qualifying occupations in NOC 0, A or B.
  
• For spouses or common-law partners of Agri-Food Pilot (AFP) applicants, the BOWP holder must be performing work that is at a level that falls within NOC 0, A or B.
  

Spouses or common-law partners of open work permit holders

If the principal foreign worker is the holder of an open work permit (for example, a post-graduation work permit or a working holiday work permit), he/she must be employed in a skilled occupation (NOC 0, A or B).

Spouses or common-law partners of provincial nominee work permit holders

Spouses or common-law partners of work permit holders who have been nominated for permanent residence by a province are entitled to open work permits for the duration of the work permit of the provincial nominee principal applicant or until the expiry of the spouse or common-law partner’s passport or travel document, whichever is earlier, irrespective of the skill level of the principal applicant’s occupation.