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Foreign nationals in Canada applying to immigrate as a spouse or common-law partner will continue to have the opportunity to work while waiting for their application to be finalized. A pilot program giving them open work permits is being extended for one year, until December 22, 2016.

To be eligible for an open work permit, you must be a spouse or common-law partner living in Canada who is being sponsored under the Spouse or common-law partner in Canada (SCLPC) class. You must have valid temporary resident status (as a visitor, student or worker) and live at the same address as your sponsor.

Translation of documents

Any document that is not in English or French must be accompanied by:

-the English or French translation; and
-an affidavit from the person who completed the translation; and
-a certified copy of the original document.

Translations may be done by a person who is fluent in both languages (English or French and the unofficial language). If the translation is not provided by a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial organization of translators and interpreters in Canada, the translation must be accompanied by an affidavit swearing to the accuracy of the translation and the language proficiency of the translator.

The affidavit must be sworn in the presence of:

In Canada:

-a notary public
-a commissioner of oaths
-a commissioner of taking affidavits

Outside of Canada:

-a notary public

Medical instructions

You may either:

-undergo an upfront medical examination by contacting a Panel Physician or
-wait until your application is reviewed and medical instructions are provided to you by the immigration office.

Get the instructions to complete the medical examination.

Note: When medical results are submitted up-front, routine cases benefit from faster processing since we do not have to request them at a later date. If you choose to have an upfront medical exam, you must submit proof that you completed the medical examination with your application. Failure to do so may result in processing delays.

The person being sponsored will not be granted permanent residence until family members have been examined and have passed medical, background and security requirements.

I am outside of Canada and do not have a PR card. How can I return to Canada?

Canada’s entry requirements are changing

Starting March 15, 2016, if you are a permanent resident of Canada and a citizen of a visa-exempt country, you will need to travel with your Canadian permanent resident (PR) card or PR travel document when flying to Canada. Otherwise, you may not be able to board your flight to Canada. PRs who are citizens of visa-required countries will continue to need to show their PR card when boarding a flight to Canada.

If you are in Canada and do not have a permanent resident, find out how to apply for a permanent resident card.

If you are outside Canada and do not have a PR card or your card is expired, find out how to apply for a permanent resident travel document.


If you are outside Canada and plan to return to Canada by:

Private vehicle

There are other documents you can use to re-enter the country.

By bus or train

You must apply for a Permanent Resident Travel Document. Otherwise you may not be able to travel to Canada.

You can apply to replace your PR card when you return to Canada.

By air

Starting March 15, 2016, if you are a permanent resident of Canada and a citizen of a visa-exempt country, you will need to travel with you Canadian permanent resident (PR) card or PR travel document when flying to Canada. Otherwise, you may not be able to board your flight to Canada. PRs who are citizens of visa-required countries will continue to need to show their PR card when boarding a flight to Canada.

If you are outside Canada and do not have a PR card or your card is expired, find out how to apply for a permanent resident travel document.

- under what type of sponsorship (common-law or conjugal) does our relationship fall into? We’ve been away from each other since February and he came to visit me for a week last July... I just want to make sure that I am filling the right forms to avoid delay in the processing

- What evidences could we attach in our application to prove that our relationship is real? We don’t have any documents showing both our names (lease contract, insurances, bank accounts, etc.), we only have pictures from our travels and letters. Would this be enough evidence?

- would he be able to live here using a visitor visa while waiting for the result of the application (conjugal / common-law)? How long is he allowed to stay in Canada using this visa? Is there any chance he’d be able to acquire a working permit?

Foreign nationals in Canada applying to immigrate as a spouse or common-law partner will continue to have the opportunity to work while waiting for their application to be finalized. A pilot program giving them open work permits is being extended for one year, until December 22, 2016.

To be eligible for an open work permit, you must be a spouse or common-law partner living in Canada who is being sponsored under the Spouse or common-law partner in Canada (SCLPC) class. You must have valid temporary resident status (as a visitor, student or worker) and live at the same address as your sponsor.