All You Need To Know
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently released new eligibility requirements for the Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP). These requirements came into effect on March 19, 2024.
If you are an international student, and your partner wishes to apply for an open work permit as a spouse or common-law partner, they must meet the outlined requirements. There are now three scenarios under which an international student’s spouse or common-law partner can apply for an open work permit starting from March 19, 2024.

- Starting from March 19, 2024, if you are studying in one of the professional degree programs with a valid study permit, your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible to apply for an open work permit. This program includes master’s or doctorate programs at a university or specific programs at a polytechnic institution.
- Dental Surgery Doctor (DDS, DMD)
- Juris Doctor or Bachelor of Law (LLB, JD, BCL)
- Medical doctor (MD)
- Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm), Doctor of Optometry (OD)
- Veterinary medicine doctor (DVM)
- Nursing Bachelor of Science (BScN, BSN, or BNSc)
- Education Bachelor’s Degree (B. Ed.)
- Engineering Bachelor’s Degree (B. Eng., BE, BASc)
Your spouse or common-law partner must provide one of the following documents to confirm your enrollment in a program that will result in a degree:
- A legitimate letter of acceptance from the educational institution of your choice (DLI).
- A letter of verification of enrollment from your DLI
- Transcripts for the current program
- Proof of their relationship with the student

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2. If your spouse or common-law partner applied for an open work permit before March 19, 2024, they may be eligible for one if you meet the following three requirements:
- You have a valid study permit.
- Your current study program is eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).
- You attend one of the following kinds of educational institutions as a full-time student:
- 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)
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3. If your partner or spouse wishes to renew their existing open work permit,
- You have a valid study permit.
- Your current study program is eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).
- You attend one of the following kinds of educational institutions as a full-time student:
- 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)
The spousal open work permit allows the spouse or common-law partner of an international student in Canada to work for any employer without needing any LMIA or a job offer.
Source: Immigration News Canada