In April 2026 I had an ultrasound with the report saying "Mild hepatic steatosis."

In June 2026 I had an MRI (due to another issue involving my biliary system). The MRI report says "No hepatic steatosis."

Or is it possible to go from “mild steatosis” to “no steatosis” in under two months?

Spouses of IEC participants cannot simply accompany them to Canada. They must have their own work permit.

Here's the good news:

If you’re coming to Canada on an IEC and your partner also wants to work in Canada, a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) may be an option. (This is a different work permit than the open work permit through the common law sponsorship PR pathway)

Other types of temporary workers may also qualify for a Spousal Open Work Permit. However, this post focuses specifically on IEC participants.

Who can use this option?

Here are some common examples:

• One partner is over the IEC age limit.
• Only one partner receives an IEC invitation.
• One partner receives a longer IEC work permit in the country's agreement.
• One partner has dual citizenship and can participate in IEC again.
• One partner's citizenship is not eligible for IEC.

A SOWP is a separate immigration program and does not count as an IEC participation.

A SOWP is an open work permit.

You do not need an LMIA. The LMIA exemption code is C41.

What are the requirements?

For your partner to qualify for a SOWP:

1. You must be married or common-law.

2. Your work permit must be valid for at least 16 months when your partner applies.

3. You must be working in an eligible occupation:

   • TEER 0 or 1, or
   • certain occupations in TEER 2 or 3.

More info and the list of jobs here:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/special-instructions/spouses-dependent-children/eligibility.html

For immigration purposes, common-law partners need to have lived together in a marriage-like relationship for at least 12 consecutive months.

Evidence can include:

• Joint lease or rental agreement
• Joint utility bills
• Joint bank statements
• Government IDs showing the same address
• Insurance documents
• Official mail showing the same residence
• Other evidence demonstrating that you have shared a household

How long is the SOWP valid?

The SOWP is issued for the same period as the supporting partner's work permit.

For example, if your IEC work permit is valid for 2 years, your partner will get a SOWP for 2 years (if their passport is also valid for 2 years).

How do you apply?

There are two main options:

1. Apply online

You can apply from inside or outside Canada.

2. Apply at a Canadian airport

If you are travelling to Canada from abroad together, your partner may be able to apply for the SOWP when entering Canada.

If applying at the airport, bring all the supporting documents you would normally provide for an online application. Border officers may also ask for additional proof that you are currently employed, such as recent pay slips.

⚠️ Flagpoling is no longer an option. Canada ended flagpoling in December 2024.

I am on an IEC work permit, what happens if my IEC work permit expires while waiting for the new SOWP?

If you are already in Canada and apply for the SOWP before your current work permit expires, you will have maintained status.

You can continue working under the conditions of your current work permit while IRCC processes the application.

What specific documents do you need for a Spousal Open Work Permit?

Documents you will need

A copy of your partner's valid work permit.

The work permit must be valid for at least 16 months when the SOWP application is submitted.

Proof of your relationship

If you are married:

• Marriage certificate
• If the certificate is not in English or French, the original plus a certified translation

If you are common-law:

• IMM 5409 – Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union
• The form must be notarized

Proof of employment

Documents can include:

• Employment letter confirming the current job
• Employment contract
• Documents showing the occupation, job duties and NOC/TEER category
• Recent pay slips can also help support the application

Not many IEC participants know, they can activate their new work permit by mail instead of leaving Canada.

Exact official IRCC instructions >> Here under "IEC participants already in Canada"

Requirements (you MUST meet all 3)

• You were on a valid IEC work permit when you applied for your second IEC.
• You have received your Port of Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction.
• You have valid status in Canada when you submit the webform request.

❌ First-time IEC participants are not eligible.

✅ This applies to all IEC options:

• Any IEC category
• Second participation using another passport/citizenship
• Recognized Organization (RO) participants

If you don't meet all three requirements, you must leave Canada and re-enter from a country other than the U.S. or Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon to activate your work permit.

Important

There have been many reports of significant delays with online activation.

If your current IEC expires before your new permit is activated:

• There is NO maintained worker status between IEC work permits.
• You must stop working when your current permit expires.
• Apply for a visitor record before your IEC expires if you want to remain in Canada legally while waiting.
• You can only work again once GCKey shows your work permit status as "Valid."

If you can't risk a gap in employment, it's safer to leave Canada (not to the U.S.) and return through an international airport to activate your permit the same day.

Online activation

Submit an >>IRCC Webform and select:

• What did you apply for? > Temporary Residence
• What application did you submit? > International Experience Canada

Don't forget to:

• Include the mandatory IRCC wording
• Upload:
  • IEC health insurance (certificate and policy wording showing medical, hospitalization & repatriation coverage).
  • Copy of the IEC work permit you held when you applied.

⚠️ Missing the text and documents = refusal of the request.

After submitting

Around 5 business days later, you should receive an Information Letter.

Then check your GCKey and wait for the update entry in the Document Status:

(in the same section where you see the eTA validity)

There must be two entries, one for the eTA and one for the work permit with status "Your document is valid".

The date shown is the official start date of your work permit.

✅ As soon as your work permit status shows "Your document is valid," you can start or continue working. You do not need to wait for the physical work permit to arrive by mail in order to work.

FAQ

Can I apply if I was a visitor when I submitted my second IEC application?

No. This option is only for IEC → IEC transitions.

Can I use this if I'm switching from another work permit to IEC?

No.

Can I flagpole at the U.S. border?

No. Since December 24, 2024, flagpoling has stopped. (U.S. citizens activating an IEC with a U.S. passport are an exception.)

What if I don't get the 'valid document' status before my work permit expires?

You have to apply for the visitor record before the current IEC expires, and wait for the document status update. You must stop working on the day your current work permit expires. You could also call IRCC to ask for an update: 1-888-242-2100

When will my new work permit start?

Your work permit will start at the time it is processed. If you send the request too early, you will lose the time on the current IEC.

Do I need new IEC insurance?

Yes. You need new IEC insurance covering your entire stay.

Provincial health care or employer benefits does not meet IEC requirements because it doesn't include repatriation.

Recommendations

• Submit your online activation request about 4-6 weeks before your current IEC expires. This should provide enough time for IRCC to process your new work permit before your current one expires.

• If you cannot afford a gap in employment, consider activating your work permit by leaving Canada and re-entering from a country other than the U.S. (for example, Mexico). This is still the fastest and safest same-day activation option.

Even after 3 weeks, I can't do much of the hard house chores like long standing and preparing a bigger meal, some exercises, lifting things...

And after eating I still get twinges every now and then in the gallbladder area.

Having a slight panic, because the procedure is this Friday.

I had my gallbladder removed 2 years ago and after many other attacks and some tests, I have two retained stones in the bile duct.

Stones are 0.8cm and most likely the Oddi sphincter must be cut to remove the stones.

All I read in this subreddit after browsing through the posts I found, is "bile reflux". What is the probability of this happening after such a procedure?

What is your experience, if you've been through this?