Eligibility
If you are an international student studying full-time and have a valid study permit, your spouse or common-law partner can apply for an open work permit. They will not require a job offer to apply, and their permit will be valid for the same period as your study permit. In some cases, they will need a medical exam.
When to apply
Your spouse/partner can apply for a work permit before or after they arrive in Canada.
In some cases, Canadian visa offices abroad will process spouse/partner work permit applications at the same time as study permit applications. In this case, you will need to include the additional fee for the work permit and complete the work permit application for your spouse/partner, available from the website of the consulate.
Most spouse/partners come to Canada as visitors first and apply for a work permit after they are in Canada. If your spouse or partner does not require a TRV, they may be able to apply for a work permit at the border or airport where they enter Canada.
Work permit conditions
Work permits issued by IRCC may be subject to restrictions.
International students who were not required to undergo an immigration medical examination before coming to Canada may be subject to the following occupation/workplace restrictions that require an immigration medical examination:
Health care setting
Childcare
Primary and secondary educational facilities
There is a complete list of occupations and Designated Medical Practitioners on the IRCC website.