How to make spousal open work permit as a primary applicant

[Senthilvelak]

My spouse has got a open work permit for 2 years with me as primary applicant having a closed work permit (Intra company transferee) for 2 years. If my contract ends with my company in 6 months and my wife has a job by that time in canada, can i make her as a primary applicant and i apply for open work permit as a secondary applicant? Or should i have to come back to india and apply?

 

[scylla]

My spouse has got a open work permit for 2 years with me as primary applicant having a closed work permit (Intra company transferee) for 2 years. If my contract ends with my company in 6 months and my wife has a job by that time in canada, can i make her as a primary applicant and i apply for open work permit as a secondary applicant? Or should i have to come back to india and apply?

You can only apply for an open work permit if your wife switches to a closed work permit. Generally speaking this would require her employer to get an approved LMIA.

 

[Senthilvelak]

How difficult is this process of switching open to closed work permit? What would be the processing time for that? And can i stay in canada during that time?

 

[scylla]

How difficult is this process of switching open to closed work permit? What would be the processing time for that? And can i stay in canada during that time?

Your wife's employer will need to get an approved LMIA. This process generally takes a number of months to complete and your wife's employer has to be willing to go through the process. Once the LMIA is approved, your wife can then apply to change to a closed work permit and you can apply for a dependent OWP.

Note that many employers aren't willing to go through this process due to the expense and work it involves. So your wife will want to look into that first.