In a significant policy update from May 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced a provision allowing spouses, common-law, and conjugal partners of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to obtain an open work permit while their sponsorship application for permanent residence is being processed. This facilitates the sponsored individuals to work for nearly any employer in Canada, enabling them to be financially self-sufficient during the immigration process.
The eligibility for open work permits has been expanded beyond the inland sponsorship applicants and those holding a Temporary Residence Visa (TRV). Now, partners and dependents of permanent residents, citizens, temporary workers, and students already residing in Canada can avail themselves of this opportunity. This initiative represents a strategic evolution in immigration policy, aiming to foster a supportive environment for families during their transition.
