IRCC updates eligibility criteria for spousal open work permit. Check yours now!

Highlights: IRCC updates eligibility requirements for Spousal Open Work Permits!

• IRCC released several updates regarding the eligibility requirements for Spousal Open Work Permits.
• Spouses or partners of a Master’s or doctoral degree program students are eligible for SOWP.
• The sponsors are required to be enrolled at a polytechnic institution or university in Canada. 
• IRCC revised the changes proposed on January 22, 2024, allowing exceptions for undergraduate programs applying for SOWP.

 

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SOWP for Student Programs

On March 19, 2024, IRCC released the updated eligibility criteria for spouses and partners of students enrolled in different study programs. The initial update released on January 22, 2024, barred spouses or partners of undergraduate or college students from applying for Spousal Open Work Permit.

 

However, under the new update, spouses and partners of Master’s or doctoral degree programs are only eligible to apply for SOWP if the sponsor is registered at a polytechnic institution or university in Canada.

The IRCC proposed some exceptions that are granted for spouses of students enrolled in an undergraduate program.

 

Students enrolled under any of the following programs are eligible to apply for SOWP: 

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

 

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Documents required to apply for SOWP

SOWP applicants must provide valid documents to prove their relationship with the student enrolled in a Canadian study program. The student must also submit documents to prove the enrolment of their spouse in a Canadian degree program.

 

IRCC accepts the following documents:

• Enrolment letter from the spouse's Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
• A genuine Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a DLI
• Educational transcripts of spouse's current study program.

 

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Eligibility Criteria for applicants who applied already

SOWP applicants who applied before March 19, 2024, are still eligible if their partner meets the following eligibility criteria:

 

1. Must have a valid Canadian study permit
2. Holds eligibility for a Postgraduation Work Permit (PGWP)
3. Must be a full-time study program in one of the following types of institutions:

• A private college-level school in Quebec
• A Canadian private school that awards legal degrees under provincial law. (For example, a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree)
• A public post-secondary school such as a university or college, or CEGEP in Quebec.

 

The requirements list remains the same for the current SOWP holders applying for an extension of their SOWP.

 

Alternatives for ineligible candidates

SOWP holders are allowed to work for any employer in Canada. However, if your spouse or partner is ineligible to apply for SOWP, they can apply for a Canada Visit Visa or Canadian Work Permit.  

 

Note: Canada Visit Visa holders are not allowed to work in Canada.

 

 

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Web Story:  IRCC updates eligibility criteria for spousal open work permit. Check yours now!