IRCC adjusts eligibility criteria for Spousal Open Work Permits

To qualify for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP), the spouse or partner of an international student must have a sponsor who is enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program at a Canadian university or polytechnic institution.

Exceptions apply for spouses or partners of undergraduate students in Canada. Those whose spouses are enrolled in specific professional degree programs at a university may also be eligible to apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP):

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

To apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP), spouses or partners need to submit documents that establish their relationship with the student, along with proof of the student’s enrollment in an eligible degree program. IRCC accepts the following as valid proof:

  • A current Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
  • An enrollment verification letter from the student’s DLI
  • Transcripts from the student’s ongoing program

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