C42 — Spousal Open Work Permit for Spouses of Full-Time Students

The C42 Spousal Open Work Permit lets spouses and common-law partners of qualifying full-time international students in Canada work for any employer without a job offer. qualifying only when the principal student holds a valid study permit for a master's (16+ months), doctoral, or specified professional degree program.

The permit is valid for the same duration as the student's study permit and can be renewed provided the student is not in their final term. Application fees total CAD 255 (CAD 155 work permit + CAD 100 open work permit holder fee); online processing typically takes 5–13 weeks.

This visa is ideal for spouses and common-law partners of international students in qualifying graduate programs who want to work in Canada during their partner's studies.