Canada • Family Work Permit
Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP)
A spouse or common-law partner of some international students and foreign workers may be eligible for an open work permit in Canada. Jarmar helps you check the current rule that applies to your family before you prepare the application.
Start with the right category
SOWP eligibility changed significantly in 2025.
Being married to a student or worker in Canada does not by itself create SOWP eligibility. The principal applicant’s study program, occupation, work authorization and immigration pathway can determine whether the spouse or common-law partner qualifies.
Spouse of an international student
- The principal applicant must hold a valid Canadian study permit.
- Current IRCC rules limit eligibility to spouses or common-law partners of students in specified programs, including master’s programs of 16 months or longer, doctoral programs and certain eligible professional programs.
- The relationship and the applicant’s own work-permit eligibility must also satisfy IRCC requirements.
Spouse of a foreign worker
- Eligibility depends on the principal worker’s immigration situation, occupation and work authorization.
- For many workers who are not on an eligible permanent-residence pathway, current rules focus on spouses or common-law partners of workers in TEER 0 or 1 and select TEER 2 or 3 occupations.
- Different provisions can apply to workers on eligible PR pathways and certain other categories, so the exact profile should be checked before applying.
What Jarmar can review
We can review the principal applicant’s Canadian status, study program or occupation, permit validity, relationship evidence and the spouse’s circumstances; identify the applicable SOWP rule; and guide the supporting-document and application process. Approval always remains with IRCC.
Independent information and application guidance. Jarmar Immigration is not affiliated with or endorsed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Eligibility rules can change; verify the current requirements before applying.
Your spouse is in Canada. Check the exact rule before you apply.
A focused eligibility review can help identify whether the student, worker or other family-work-permit provisions apply to your situation.