Canada announced changes in eligibility criteria for spousal open work permit

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) published revised eligibility rules for the Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) today.

These new requirements come into effect today, on March 19, 2024.

What are the new eligibility criteria for Canada's Spousal Open Work Permit in 2024?
International students' spouses or partners who want to apply for an open work permit as a spouse or common-law partner must meet the following qualifications.

Effective March 19, 2024, the spouse or common-law partner of an overseas student can now apply for an open work permit under three different circumstances.

1. If the spouse or common-law partner apply for an open work permit on or after March 19, 2024.

Starting March 19, 2024, if you are enrolled in classes for one of the professional degrees and have a valid study permit, your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for an open work permit.

A university professional degree programme, such as a master's or PhD programme, or one of the following in 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)

To establish your enrollment in a degree-granting programme of study, your spouse or common-law partner must provide one of the following documents:

• 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

2. If the spouse or common-law partner apply for an open work permit before March 19, 2024

If your spouse or common-law partner applied for an open work permit before March 19, 2024.
Your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for an open work permit if you meet the following three conditions:

• 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)

3. If your partner or spouse wants to apply for an extension of their current 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)