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

Highlights: IRCC has changed eligibility criteria for spousal open work permit

• On Jan 22, 2024, IRCC introduced variety of changes to Canada's international student program.
• From Jan 22 onwards, the spouses of foreign students who applied before March 19th are also eligible for SOWP.
• From Mar 19, 2024, the sponsors are eligible for SOWPs only if their partner is enrolled for a master's or doctoral degree at a university.
• Some spouses of Undergraduate students are only eligible to apply for a SOWP if they have a degree from a Canadian university.

 

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Details of the Undergraduate students who are eligible for SOWPs:

A SOWP allows holders to work for most of the employer in Canada. Here are some undergraduate students spouses  who are eligible to apply for SOWPs:

 

• 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 need to prove their relationship with the spouse by providing certain documents to IRCC:

 

• A valid letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a DLI(Designated Learning Institution)
• A proof of enrolment letter from their spouses or partner DLI
• Transcript from their spouses or partner’s current program.

 

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Candidates who have already applied:

As per IRCC, Candidates who have already applied for SOWP before March 19th are still eligible if:

 

• Acquire a valid study visa
• Is eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP)
• Is a full-time student of:
• public post-secondary school or CEGEP in Quebec
• Be a part of private college-level school in Quebec
• Canadian private school that can legally award degrees under provincial law

 

 

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Alternative options to opt for if not eligible for SOWP:

Spouses and partners of foreign students who do not qualify for a SOWP are eligible to apply for different type of work permit or a visitor visa. However, a visitor cannot work in Canada without a proper license.

 

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