Unlock Your Canadian Adventure: Spousal Open Work Permit for International Students

If you’re planning to join your partner in Canada and want to ensure both of you can make the most of your time there, the Canadian Spousal Open Work Permit is an excellent opportunity. This permit enables the spouses or common-law partners of international students to work in Canada without needing a specific job offer.

Why Choose a Spousal Open Work Permit?

Work Flexibility: The spousal open work permit allows you to work in any eligible job across Canada. Whether you’re interested in full-time, part-time, or self-employment opportunities, the choice is yours.

No Job Offer Required: Unlike other work permits, this permit does not require a job offer from a Canadian employer. This means you can start your job search and pursue positions that align with your career goals and interests without any prior commitments.

Aligned Duration: The permit’s validity generally matches the duration of your spouse’s study or work permit, ensuring that you can work in Canada for the same period as your partner.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the SOWP, the sponsoring partner must meet the necessary requirements for a Canadian study permit. Additionally, the relationship between the applicant and the student must meet the criteria for spousal sponsorship.

Updated Eligibility Requirements

As of March 19, 2024, the eligibility for the Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) has been revised. Now, spouses of international students can only apply if their partner is enrolled in a master’s or doctoral degree program at a university or polytechnic institution. Previously, eligibility also included spouses of students in undergraduate and college programs.

Exceptions for Spouses of Undergraduate Students

There’s some good news for spouses of undergraduate students: you may still be eligible for an SOWP if your partner is enrolled in a professional degree program at a university. These professional programs include:

Health Sciences:

• Medicine (MD)
• Pharmacy (PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm)
• Optometry (OD)
• Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
• Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS, DMD)
• Nursing (BScN, BSN, BNSc)

Law and Education:

• Law (LLB, JD, BCL)
• Education (B. Ed.)

Engineering:

• Engineering (B. Tech, BE, BSc)

Proof of Relationship and Enrollment

To apply for an SOWP under these exceptions, you’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship with the student and their enrollment in the program. Required documents include:

• A valid acceptance letter (LOA) from a designated learning institution (DLI) for the student’s program
• A proof of enrollment letter from the student’s DLI
• Transcripts from the student’s current program

Required Documents for Your Application

Before starting your application, ensure you have the following documents:

Proof of Relationship: Marriage certificate or evidence of common-law partnership.

Passports: Copies of your passports, including the bio-data pages.

Spouse’s Permit: A copy of your spouse’s study permit in Canada.

Temporary Resident Status: Copies of your temporary resident status in Canada.

Ready to Apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit?