Spouses or common-law partners of skilled people coming to Canada as foreign workers may themselves be authorized to work without first having an offer of employment. A dependent spouse or common-law partner is eligible to apply for an open work permit under Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exemption code C41 if the principal foreign worker
• holds a work permit that is valid for a period of at least 6 months, or, if working under the authority of section R186 without a work permit, presents evidence that they will be working for a minimum of 6 months;
• is employed in an occupation that falls within National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type 0 (management occupations) or skill level A or B (which generally includes professional occupations and technical or skilled trades [see the NOC website]);
• physically resides or plans to physically reside in Canada while working.
