Open Work Permit for Abused Spouses (OWPAS)

Executive Summary: Financial Independence for Abuse Victims

The Open Work Permit for Vulnerable Workers / Abused Spouses (OWPAS) is a special humanitarian protection measure instituted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It permits temporary residents experiencing physical, sexual, psychological, financial, or emotional abuse to obtain an **employer-agnostic Open Work Permit**.

Abusive partners frequently use immigration status (such as controlling a spousal sponsorship application or holding a spouse on a dependent permit) as a tool of coercion. The OWPAS allows victims to achieve financial autonomy, earn income in Canada independently, leave the abusive environment, and access safe housing.

Mandatory Eligibility Requirements

• 1. Temporary Resident Status in Canada: You must currently reside in Canada holding valid temporary resident status (as a visitor, student, or temporary worker) or maintain implied status under IRCC regulations.
• 2. Experience of Family Violence or Abuse: You are experiencing or at risk of experiencing physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, or financial abuse inflicted by your spouse or common-law partner in Canada.
• 3. Status Dependency: Your current stay or legal immigration status in Canada is tied to or dependent on the abusive relationship (e.g. dependent on an in-Canada spousal sponsorship or an abusive partner's work/study permit).
• 4. Physical Presence: You must be physically located inside Canada at the time of application submission.

Acceptable Supporting Documentation Checklist

IRCC does NOT require a police report or criminal charges to grant an OWPAS. You may provide any combination of the following alternative evidence:

• ✅ Official letter from a women's shelter, transition house, or safe haven confirming emergency housing or support services.
• ✅ Written report or letter from a licensed physician, registered nurse, or hospital staff detailing physical injuries or psychological trauma.
• ✅ Assessment letter from a registered social worker, psychologist, or community counselor.
• ✅ Detailed personal Sworn Statutory Declaration describing the nature and timeline of the abuse.
• ✅ Court documentation (restraining orders, peace bonds, protection orders) if available.

Urgent Expedited Application Process

1. Step 1: Gather Documentation Safely: Collect supporting medical, shelter, or professional letters. Store files in a safe digital location.
2. Step 2: Submit Fee-Exempt Online Application: Complete the OWPAS application online through the IRCC Secure Account. Select "Vulnerable Worker Open Work Permit". The application fee ($155 CAD) and open work permit fee ($100 CAD) are **100% waived**.
3. Step 3: Priority Review & Issuance: IRCC officers prioritize vulnerable worker files, with decisions typically rendered in an expedited timeframe.

Frequently Asked Questions (OWPAS)