Spouses or common-law partners of Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) participants
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
Spouses or common-law partners of participants in the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) may be authorized to work without first having an offer of employment.
Officers may issue an open work permit under LMIA exemption code C17, with a location restriction to the community where the principal applicant works. The spouse’s work permit must always be restricted to the same community as the principal applicant’s job location and should not be amended.
The open work permit should have a validity that matches the principal applicant’s, up to a maximum of 1 year or until the expiry of the passport or travel document, whichever is earlier.
Note to border services officers: Foreign nationals may not apply for an open work permit under LMIA exemption C17 at a port of entry.
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