Open Work Permit for Student's Spouse

[messifan]

Hi I would like some pointers about my situation... Me and my girlfriend will be going to Toronto January 2014, I will attend a 16 month Advanced Diploma programme at Centennial College so I have a Study permit already, she will study English for 5 months so she has a visitor visa... We want to stay together and after my graduation i will ask for my Post Graduation Work Permit and try to work towards immigration... We have read in the CIC web page that Spouses of Full Time Students are eligible for an open work permit during the validity of the study permit of the spouse, and that this open work permit can be applied for from within Canada... So we plan to get married in Toronto and then ask for her open work permit so she can stay with me and in Canada... Is it possible? Thank you very much!!!

 

[Leon]

Yes that is possible. If you have been living together as a couple for a year or more, you would be considered common law partners and would not even have to get married in order for her to get a work permit.

 

[messifan]

Hi Leon, thanks a lot!! We plan to get married there in Toronto, I've searched and found no restriction regarding citizenship in order to do so... As for the OWP for her, is any restriction regarding the amount of time we have to be married to obtain the OWP?? Or a restriction regarding the fact that we will get married in Toronto?? Thank you very much again Leon!!

 

[Leon]

No, there is no restriction that I know of. In order to marry in Canada, you both need your birth certificates and ID (passports). If one of you was married before, you'd need a divorce certificate as well.

Once you are married, you can apply for her open work permit based on your permit. You'd need to send a copies of your passport, work permit, marriage certificate and of course the work permit application. Or you drive to the border, flagpole and do it on the spot.