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Spousal Open Work Permit

Reunite with your LovedOnes via SOWP

Bring your spouse or common-law partner as a worker in Canada.

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Latest Updates on Spousal Open Work Permit

-Effective January 21, 2025, family open work permits (OWPs) for international students limited to Spouses of students in Master’s programs (16+ months), Doctoral programs, and select eligible programs.

-Family OWPs for foreign workers are limited to spouses of those in TEER 0, 1, and select TEER 2/3 occupations, with the worker having at least 16 months left on their permit.

–Dependent children of foreign workers are no longer eligible.

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#Eligibility

Who can apply for spouse open work permit?

If you’ve applied for spousal sponsorship, or if your spouse is in Canada on a study or work permit, you might be eligible for a spousal open work permit. However, there have been some changes recently, so make sure you understand the rules before applying! Make sure your Spouse is one of these:

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Spouse is Student

You are a spouse of a student, studying a master's, doctoral, eligible pilot program, or an approved professional degree at a university.

Spouse is Worker

You are a spouse of a foreign worker who has a valid work permit; employed in TEER 0, 1, and select TEER 2/3

Spouse is Citizen or PR

You are a spouse already in Canada and are being sponsored by your spouse, conjugal partner, or common-law partner.

PR Applied Status

You are a spouse of someone who has applied for Canadian permanent residence through one of the Immigration programs.

For Students in Canada

Spouse of an International Student

Starting Jan 21, 2025, your spouse may be eligible for an open work permit if you are enrolled in a master’s of 16+ months of program, doctoral, or specific professional degree program. You’ll need to provide a valid letter of acceptance, proof of enrolment, or transcripts from your institution.

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For Worker in Canada

Spouse of a Foreign Worker

Family OWPs for foreign workers are limited to spouses of those in TEER 0, 1, and select TEER 2/3 occupations, with the worker having at least 16 months left on their permit OR have applied for PR through an economic immigration program.

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#PeopleStories

Testimonials: Straight from Heart

Excited to announce that Ayushi got her SOWP and is heading to Canada! We wish her the best 🎉✈️  

Connect with our Senior RCIC practitioner who holds a track record of 96.4% visa success ratio.

Guide: The Process

Key takeaways for SOWP

These are the ‘must-know’ factors for a Spousal Open work permit application:

A genuine relationship with the spouse or partner | Not criminally or medically inadmissible to Canada. | The Biggest benefit of Spousal Open Work Permitis getting work experience in Canada which will boost points under Express Entry!

Feel free to connect with our counsellors for the same.

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Essentials: Canada's SOWP

QuictFacts

 

 

Common Reasons for Spousal Open Work Permit Rejection

Several factors can lead to the rejection of a spousal open work permit application. Here are six of the most common reasons:

  1. Principal Applicant Outside Canada: Your spouse must reside in Canada with valid legal status. If your spouse lives outside Canada, your application may be rejected.
  2. Lack of Evidence of DLI Enrollment: If applying as the spouse of a student, your spouse must provide proof of enrollment at a DLI. Without this, your application could be denied.
  3. Insufficient Proof of Funds: You must have enough funds to support your stay in Canada, your application may be refused. Include comprehensive financial documents to demonstrate stability.
  4. Missing Proof of Employment: If your application is based on your spouse’s employment, you must provide supporting employment documentation.
  5. Weak Ties to Home Country: Officers need to be convinced that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay. Providing proof of ties to your home country is essential.

  6. Insufficient Proof of a Genuine Relationship: Your application relies on proving a genuine relationship with your spouse. If the visa officer is not convinced, this could result in rejection.

 

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Latest News & FAQs

If you want to apply for a Spouse Open Work Permit (SOWP) in Canada, you need to meet these requirements:

  1. Genuine Relationship:
    • You must show that your relationship with your spouse is real. This means proving that you didn’t get married just to move to another country. You’ll need to provide valid proof of your relationship and evidence that you’ve lived together for at least one year.
  2. Valid Temporary Resident Status:
    • Your spouse in Canada must have a valid temporary resident status, such as a work permit if they are working or a study permit if they are studying.
  3. Resident Status Time Remaining:
    • Your spouse must have at least 6 months left on their work or study permit when you apply for your SOWP.
  4. Occupation Type:
    • You can apply if your spouse is working in certain job categories (TEER 0 to 5), holds an open work permit, or has applied for permanent residence while holding a work permit.

No, you cannot apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit if your spouse is a Canadian citizen unless your Sponsorship file had been submitted and you are inside Canada.

The processing time for a Spousal Open Work Permit application can vary depending on the type of application and the country or region where the application is submitted. Generally, the processing time for a Spousal Open Work Permit application is around two to four months.

Spousal open work permit applicants will need to pay a total of $340 as their application processing fee. This total consists of the following:

  • Processing Fee: $155
  • Open Work Permit Holder Fee: $100
  • Biometrics Fee: $85

It’s important to note that fees can change at any time, so it’s important to check the official Government of Canada website for the most up-to-date information on SOWP application fees.

The extension of a Spouse Open Work Permit is indeed linked to the expiry date of the principal applicant’s work permit. If the principal applicant’s work permit is extended, the Spouse Open Work Permit can also be extended.

However, if the principal applicant’s work permit is not extended, the Spouse Open Work Permit will expire on the same date. It is important to ensure that the principal applicant’s work permit is valid before applying for an extension of the Spouse Open Work Permit.

If you applied for a spousal open work permit online, you can track the status directly through your account. If you applied using a paper-based method, you can monitor the status by linking the application to your online IRCC account.

If you applied for In-Canada sponsorship on a visitor permit that is expiring, and you have applied for a spousal open work permit, you will be on maintained status. This means you can remain in Canada without a valid permit under the same conditions while awaiting a decision on your SOWP application.

There are several reasons why a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) may be rejected. Here are six common reasons:

  1. Principal Applicant Living Outside Canada: Your spouse must be residing in Canada with legal status for you to apply for a SOWP. If they are living outside Canada, your application could be refused.
  2. No Evidence of Attendance at a DLI: If you are applying as the spouse of a student, your spouse must provide proof that they are actively enrolled at a Canadian Designated Learning Institute (DLI). Failure to include this documentation may lead to rejection.
  3. Lack of Proof of Funds: If the immigration officer is not convinced that you and your spouse have sufficient funds to support your stay in Canada, your application might be refused. Therefore, it is crucial to include financial documents to demonstrate financial stability.
  4. Missing Proof of Employment: If your application is based on your spouse’s employment, you must provide evidence supporting their employment in Canada.
  5. Insufficient Ties to Home Country: When applying for temporary status in Canada, the officer must believe that you will leave Canada by the end of your authorized stay. To prevent refusal, it’s important to provide proof of ties to your home country.
  6. Absence of Proof of a Genuine Relationship: Since the SOWP is based on your relationship with your spouse or common-law partner, you need to provide adequate proof of your genuine relationship. If the officer doubts the authenticity of your relationship, your application could be denied.

 

There are several pathways for individuals working in Canada to transition to permanent resident status. To get a comprehensive evaluation of your options, Get in touch with SPS Canada Immigration Today.

To qualify for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP), you need to meet specific minimum requirements, which include:

1. Being in a genuine relationship with a qualifying foreign national, permanent resident, or citizen.
2. Being eligible to apply as the spouse of a qualifying foreign national or as an in-Canada sponsorship applicant.
3. Not being criminally or medically inadmissible to Canada.

If you and your spouse divorce or your common-law relationship ends after you have received your spousal open work permit, your permit will not be revoked. However, if the relationship ends while your application is still being processed, you must inform IRCC of the change, and you will no longer be eligible for the SOWP.

Students enrolled in the following programs can still receive a family OWP for their spouse or common-law partner:

  • 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)
  • Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc)
  • Bachelor of Nursing (BN)
  • Bachelor of Education (BEd)
  • Bachelor of Engineering (BEng, BE, BASc)

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