<aside> ⚠️

The information here is an AI summary of the advice people in our Discord have shared. Their experiences may not always reflect the accurate process. None of this should be considered financial, immigration, or real estate advice.

</aside>

Spouses and Partners

How does my spouse get a work permit?

When a healthcare worker gets a work permit in Canada, their spouse or common-law partner is entitled to an Open Work Permit at the same time.

You apply for the spouse's permit at the same time as your own — there is an additional fee
An Open Work Permit allows the spouse to work for almost any employer in Canada, with a few restrictions
Restrictions noted by one member included: not permitted to work in childcare, primary or secondary school teaching, health services occupations, or businesses related to the sex trade
If you get your work permit at the border, your spouse's permit is processed at the same crossing on the same day
If you apply online, processing is approximately four weeks

Common-law partners are treated the same as spouses for immigration purposes, provided you can document that you have lived together continuously for at least 12 months in a conjugal relationship. You will need to provide supporting documents proving cohabitation and the genuineness of the relationship.

Can my spouse work remotely for their U.S. employer from Canada?

Possibly, but there are complications:

The spouse needs a valid work permit to be legally employed in Canada, even for a U.S. employer
If the U.S. employer has a Canadian division or entity, an intra-company transfer may be an option
Some members explored having the U.S. employer convert the role to a 1099 contractor arrangement, which has different tax implications
A cross-border accountant is strongly recommended before going down this path, as there are double-taxation and payroll-compliance issues

What jobs are spouses finding on Vancouver Island?

Members discussed a wide range of fields. Here is what came up most often.

Skilled trades: