In a recent announcement about changes to Canada’s temporary resident programs, Immigration Minister Marc Miller outlined important updates to the eligibility criteria for Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWPs).
On September 18, Minister Miller stated that the department will implement additional restrictions on SOWP eligibility for spouses of students enrolled in doctoral and specific master’s programs, select professional programs, and certain pilot initiatives.
Notably, work permit eligibility for spouses of master’s degree students will now be limited to those whose programs last at least 16 months.
These changes build on IRCC’s earlier announcement that Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWPs) would only be available to spouses of students enrolled in specific master’s or doctoral programs at designated Canadian learning institutions, with some exceptions for undergraduate programs in high demand.
Additionally, IRCC has decided to include master's and doctoral students in the cap for study permits to be issued in 2025. The department has allocated 12% of the 437,000 study permits for 2025 to these students, while master’s and PhD students are not included in the 2024 study permit cap.
Although Minister Miller did not specify any further changes, he indicated that these adjustments are expected to lead to 50,000 fewer SOWPs being issued to spouses of international students over the next three years.
Changes for Temporary Foreign Workers
Changes are also being implemented for SOWPs outside of the international student program.
IRCC plans to limit work permit eligibility to spouses of highly skilled, specialized workers, including C-suite executives, scientists, engineers, lawyers, professors, technicians, and those in sectors experiencing critical labor shortages.
These adjustments are projected to result in 100,000 fewer SOWPs being issued over the next three years.
How to Apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP)
While there have been no official ministerial announcements regarding the exact date for the new SOWP restrictions, as of April 30 this year, spouses of international students can apply for a SOWP if their partner is enrolled in a master's or doctoral program or one of the following professional degree programs:
- 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)
Applicants will need to provide one of the following:
- A valid letter of acceptance from the designated learning institution (DLI)
- A proof of enrollment letter from their DLI
- Transcripts from their current program
If applicable, applicants must also demonstrate participation in one of the eligible pilot programs and submit other documentation, such as proof of their relationship to the student.
Approved applicants can expect their SOWP to be valid for the same duration as their sponsor’s study permit.
Additional Changes for Temporary Residents
The updates to SOWP eligibility are part of a broader set of measures IRCC has implemented this year. Significant changes have also been made to the international student program, including a cap on the number of study permit applications IRCC will process in 2024, with further reductions anticipated for 2025.
Additionally, IRCC has introduced a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) requirement for many Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) applications. University graduates must demonstrate a CLB of 7 in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, while college graduates must achieve a CLB of 5.
He mentioned that more information about temporary resident levels will be unveiled in the forthcoming Immigration Levels Plan, scheduled for release by November 1 this year. This will mark the first inclusion of temporary resident levels in the Plan, which outlines targets for the number of newcomers Canada aims to welcome over the next three years.
In 2023, over 2 million temporary residents came to Canada. Minister Miller stated that the new restrictions are part of IRCC’s commitment to reduce the percentage of temporary residents in Canada from 6.5% of the population to 5% within the next three years.
He emphasized that Canada’s economy has rebounded from the COVID-19 pandemic, and the measures implemented during that time to increase immigration and strengthen the labor force are no longer necessary.
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