Will my spouse or common-law partner get a work permit under International Experience Canada to come with me?

No. If your spouse or common-law partner wants to work in Canada, they have the following 2 options:

Option 1: Apply for International Experience Canada

Your spouse or common-law partner can submit a profile to the International Experience Canada Program. They must meet the requirements and follow the application steps if they are invited to apply for a work permit.

Option 2: Apply for a work permit outside the International Experience Canada Program

In very limited cases, your spouse or common-law partner may be able to apply for an open work permit. An open work permit lets you work for most employers in Canada. Make sure your spouse or common-law partner is eligible before they submit an application.

In other cases, they can apply for an employer-specific work permit. The employer may have to get a labour market impact assessment (LMIA). An LMIA allows an employer to hire someone for a specific job. Find out if your spouse or common-law partner’s employer needs an LMIA to hire them.

How we assess their application

For both options, your spouse or common-law partner’s work permit application will be assessed separately from yours.

If your spouse or common-law partner is not eligible for a work permit, they may be able to come to Canada as a visitor.