Spouses
The spouse (non-student) of a person who holds a Student Authorization may obtain an Employment Authorization for work anywhere, without clearance, from a Canada Employment Centre. 

The applicant must include proof that they are the spouse of a student. A specific job offer is not required. A person who has already passed an Immigration medical examination will receive an open Employment Authorization. If no medical has been taken, the Authorization will be restricted to those categories of work where health is not an issue. The Employment Authorization will have the same expiry date as the spouse's Student Authorization. 

Spouses of post-doctoral fellows (except those from Australia and the UK), as well as scholars and others who hold an Employment Authorization are not exempt from the requirement for Canada Employment Centre clearance. 
 

Social Insurance Number

In order to work in Canada you must have both an Employment Authorization (unless the job is on campus) and a Social Insurance Number (SIN). Apply early for the SIN when you begin the job.  It can take up to 5 - 6 weeks to issue a SIN, and until you have this number, an employer cannot pay you.

Consult the Government section of the telephone directory under "Human Resources Development Canada - Employment and Insurance Centres" for information on other locations

To apply, take your passport and Student Authorization for identification. Visitors are not eligible for a Social Insurance Number.  Therefore,  spouses must obtain an Employment Authorization before applying for a SIN. 
 

Income Tax

Employment income, scholarships, and bursaries are all subject to Canadian income tax. Tax forms must be completed by April 30th. The International Student Centre provides information and assistance before this deadline date, and will invite staff from the International Tax Services to give an Income Tax Workshop in March.

Back