{"id":1383,"date":"2026-08-18T13:50:46","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T13:50:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sehliglobal.ca\/news\/?p=1383"},"modified":"2026-08-18T13:54:58","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T13:54:58","slug":"spousal-open-work-permit-canada-eligibility-for-spouses-of-self-employed-foreign-workers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sehliglobal.ca\/news\/2026\/08\/18\/spousal-open-work-permit-canada-eligibility-for-spouses-of-self-employed-foreign-workers\/","title":{"rendered":"Spousal Open Work Permit Canada: Eligibility for Spouses of Self-Employed Foreign Workers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Spouses and common-law partners of some self-employed foreign nationals in Canada may be eligible to apply for an open work permit where the principal foreign national holds an open work permit and is genuinely self-employed in an eligible occupation.<\/p>\n

Under current IRCC rules, spouses of foreign workers may qualify where the principal worker is employed in a TEER 0 or 1 occupation, or in certain eligible TEER 2 or 3 occupations.<\/strong> IRCC also allows spouses of business owners, including self-employed workers and entrepreneurs, to provide business-related evidence when proving the principal applicant\u2019s work situation.<\/p>\n

Applications in qualifying cases may be issued under administrative code C41<\/strong>, which is used for eligible spouses of skilled workers under Canada\u2019s International Mobility Program.<\/p>\n

Who Is Considered Self-Employed?<\/h3>\n

A self-employed person generally works for themselves as the owner of a business while also carrying out the actual work associated with the business.<\/p>\n

This is different from someone who simply owns or manages a business while employees perform most of its operational activities.<\/p>\n

For immigration purposes, the key issue is whether the principal foreign national can show that the business is genuine and that they are actually performing work that corresponds with an eligible National Occupational Classification, or NOC, occupation.<\/p>\n

What Evidence May Be Required?<\/h3>\n

For a spouse to qualify based on the principal foreign national\u2019s self-employment, the application should contain sufficient evidence showing that the principal worker is genuinely carrying out the duties of the claimed occupation.<\/p>\n

IRCC\u2019s current application guidance confirms that spouses or common-law partners of business owners, including self-employed workers and entrepreneurs, may provide evidence of the principal applicant\u2019s business plan when demonstrating eligibility.<\/p>\n

Depending on the circumstances, supporting documents may include evidence showing:<\/p>\n