Canada tightens rules for Spousal Open Work Permits; check details here

Canada has released more details surrounding changes to the eligibility for Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWP).

As of March 19, partners and spouses of international students are eligible for a SOWP only if their sponsor is enrolled in a master’s or doctoral degree program at a university or polytechnic institution in Canada, says CIC News.

Earlier on January 22, the department announced several modifications to Canada’s international student program. One notable change is that the spouses of international students enrolled in undergraduate and college programs will no longer qualify for SOWPs.


There are some exceptions for the spouses or partners of undergraduate students, says CIC news. Spouses of undergraduate students in one of the following professional degree programs at a university are also eligible to apply for a SOWP:

• Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS, DMD)
• Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor (LLB, JD, BCL)
• Doctor of Medicine (MD)
• Doctor of Optometry (OD)
• Pharmacy (PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm)
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN, BSN, BNSc)
• Bachelor of Education (B. Ed.)
• Bachelor of Engineering (B. Eng., BE, BASc)

Spouses and partners applying for an SOWP must provide documents that prove a relationship to the student and one document showing proof of their partner’s enrolment in a degree-granting program of study. IRCC accepts:

• a valid Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
• a proof of enrolment letter from their spouse or partner’s DLI
• transcripts from their spouse or partner’s current program

If you have already applied:

According to IRCC those who applied for a SOWP before March 19 are still eligible if their partner:

• Has a valid study permit.
• Is eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).
• Is a full-time student at one of these types of schools:
• a public post-secondary school, such as a college or university, or CEGEP in Quebec
• a private college-level school in Quebec
• a Canadian private school that can legally award degrees under provincial law (for example, a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree)

These requirements are the same for current SOWP holders who apply to extend their existing permit.


What if you’re not eligible?
Spouses and partners of international students who are no longer eligible for an SOWP have the option to apply for an alternative type of work permit or a visitor visa (TRV). However, individuals who enter Canada as visitors are not authorized to work.

An SOWP enables individuals to work for nearly any employer in Canada and serves as a mechanism to advance IRCC's objective of fostering family reunification.

In a comment to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM) on February 28, Immigration Minister Marc Miller said that he was limiting SOWPs to the partners and spouses of master’s and PhD students to “attack a volume challenge but also integrity challenges with what we believe was an area that was being exploited and not necessarily legitimate.”