{"id":21823,"date":"2025-04-28T20:16:55","date_gmt":"2025-04-28T20:16:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/broadgate.ca\/?page_id=21823"},"modified":"2025-09-19T22:44:31","modified_gmt":"2025-09-19T22:44:31","slug":"spousal-open-work-permit","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/broadgate.ca\/fa\/work\/spousal-open-work-permit\/","title":{"rendered":"Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"21823\" class=\"elementor elementor-21823\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7753152 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"7753152\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-19d9d02 sidebar-pages scheme_default sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"19d9d02\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sidebar widget_area elementor-element elementor-element-b0bcea2 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-sidebar\" data-id=\"b0bcea2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"sidebar.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<aside class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html\"><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"immigration\" width=\"100%\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/work500.jpg\">\r\n<div style=\"background-color:#002C54; text-align: center;\">\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"70px\" style=\"margin:-30px 0 0 0;\" alt=\"logo-broadgate\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Broadgate-log.png\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"background-color:#002C54;padding:0 0 10px 20px\">\r\n\t<p style=\"color:#ffffff;font-weight: 400;\">\r\nWork\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div><\/aside><aside class=\"widget widget_nav_menu\"><div class=\"menu-sidebar-work-container\"><ul id=\"menu-sidebar-work\" class=\"menu\"><li id=\"menu-item-21774\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-21774\"><a href=\"https:\/\/broadgate.ca\/fa\/work\/work-in-canada\/\">Work in Canada<\/a><\/li><li id=\"menu-item-21839\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-has-children menu-item-21839\"><a href=\"#\">Open Work Permit<\/a>\n<ul class=\"sub-menu\"><li id=\"menu-item-21841\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-21841\"><a href=\"https:\/\/broadgate.ca\/fa\/work\/post-graduation-work-permit\/\">Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)<\/a><\/li><li id=\"menu-item-21840\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-21840\"><a href=\"https:\/\/broadgate.ca\/fa\/work\/spousal-open-work-permit\/\">Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP)<\/a><\/li><li id=\"menu-item-21842\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-21842\"><a href=\"https:\/\/broadgate.ca\/fa\/work\/bridging-open-work-permit\/\">Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/aside>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1ce3eea sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"1ce3eea\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-820bf8f sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"820bf8f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Overview<\/h3><p>A <strong>Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP)<\/strong> allows the <strong>spouse or common-law partner<\/strong> of certain temporary residents in Canada to work for <strong>any employer<\/strong>, in <strong>any occupation<\/strong>, without the need for a job offer or a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This permit supports family unity and helps spouses gain Canadian work experience, which can benefit future permanent residence applications.<\/p><p>IRCC has updated eligibility rules for SOWPs in <strong>2024 and 2025<\/strong>, especially for spouses of international students and foreign workers. Understanding these changes is essential for determining if you qualify.<\/p><div id=\"Ttitleglansblog\"><p><strong>Table of Contents<\/strong><\/p><ol><li><a href=\"#Who\">Who Can Apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Eligibility\">Eligibility Requirements<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Documents\">Documents Required<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Fees\">Fees<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Validity\">Validity of the Work Permit<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#What\">What If You\u2019re Not Eligible?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#faq\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div><h2 id=\"Who\">1. Who Can Apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit?<\/h2><p>You may be eligible for a SOWP if your spouse or partner is one of the following:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a8e85af sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-toggle\" data-id=\"a8e85af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"toggle.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1771\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1771\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-angle-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">1.  A Skilled Foreign Worker<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1771\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1771\"><p><strong class=\"strblue\">You can apply if your spouse:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>Holds a\u00a0<strong>valid work permit<\/strong><\/li><li>Works in a\u00a0<strong>high-skilled occupation<\/strong>\u00a0in\u00a0<strong>NOC TEER 0 or 1<\/strong><\/li><li>OR works in a\u00a0<strong>selected occupation in TEER 2 or 3<\/strong>\u00a0that is experiencing labour shortages, such as:<ul><li>Natural and applied sciences<\/li><li>Construction<\/li><li>Health care<\/li><li>Natural resources<\/li><li>Education<\/li><li>Military or sports-related fields<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><p><strong class=\"strblue\">Additionally:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>The principal worker must hold a work permit valid for\u00a0<strong>at least 16 months<\/strong>\u00a0beyond the date of your application.<\/li><li>They must reside or plan to reside in\u00a0<strong>Canada<\/strong>\u00a0during their employment.<\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"color: #e51e25;\">As of <strong>January 21, 2025<\/strong>, IRCC narrowed eligibility for spouses of foreign workers to support economic needs and labour shortages.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1772\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1772\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-angle-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">2.  An International Student in a Specific Program<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1772\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1772\"><p>As of\u00a0<strong>March 19, 2024<\/strong>, only spouses or partners of international students enrolled in the following\u00a0<strong>programs<\/strong>\u00a0are eligible:<\/p><p><strong class=\"strblue\">Graduate-Level Programs:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li><strong>Master\u2019s degree<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Doctoral degree<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><p><strong class=\"strblue\">Undergraduate Professional Degree Programs (university level only):<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS, DMD)<\/li><li>Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor (LLB, JD, BCL)<\/li><li>Doctor of Medicine (MD)<\/li><li>Doctor of Optometry (OD)<\/li><li>Pharmacy (PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm)<\/li><li>Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)<\/li><li>Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN, BSN, BNSc)<\/li><li>Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.)<\/li><li>Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng., BE, BASc)<\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"color: #e51e25;\">\u00a0Spouses of students in <strong>general undergraduate programs, diplomas, or certificates<\/strong>\u00a0are no longer eligible for a SOWP.<\/span><\/p><p><strong class=\"strblue\">To apply, the spouse must submit:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li><strong>Proof of relationship<\/strong>\u00a0(e.g., marriage certificate)<\/li><li><strong>One of the following documents showing enrolment:<\/strong><ul><li>A valid\u00a0<strong>Letter of Acceptance (LOA)<\/strong>\u00a0from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)<\/li><li>A current\u00a0<strong>proof of enrolment letter<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Transcripts<\/strong>\u00a0from the current program<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1773\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1773\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-angle-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">3.  An Applicant for Inland Spousal Sponsorship (PR)<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1773\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1773\"><p><strong>You can apply for a SOWP if:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>You are in Canada<\/li><li>You have submitted a\u00a0<strong>sponsorship application<\/strong>\u00a0under the\u00a0<strong>Inland Spousal\/Common-law Class<\/strong><\/li><li>You have\u00a0<strong>temporary resident status<\/strong>\u00a0(visitor, student, or worker)<\/li><li>You received the\u00a0<strong>Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR)<\/strong>\u00a0for your PR application<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-33dc727 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"33dc727\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id=\"Eligibility\">2. Eligibility Requirements<\/h2><p>Regardless of category, all SOWP applicants must:<\/p><ul><li>Be in a <strong>genuine relationship<\/strong> with the principal applicant<\/li><li>Submit a <strong>complete application<\/strong> with supporting documents<\/li><li>Meet <strong>general admissibility requirements<\/strong> (e.g., biometrics, medical exams if required)<\/li><li>Maintain valid <strong>temporary resident status<\/strong> in Canada or restore it if applying inland<\/li><\/ul><p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/documents-Work-Permit00.jpg\" alt=\"work permit Documents Required\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\" \/><\/p><h2 id=\"Documents\">3. Documents Required<\/h2><p>The required documents depend on the category you are applying under. Applicants may need to provide the following documents as part of their work permit application:<\/p><ul><li>Valid <strong>passport<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Marriage certificate<\/strong> or proof of common-law status<\/li><li><strong>Proof of relationship<\/strong> (e.g., joint lease, bank accounts, communication records)<\/li><li>Copy of your <strong>spouse\u2019s study\/work permit<\/strong> or <strong>approval letter<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Proof of enrolment<\/strong> or <strong>employment<\/strong><\/li><li>Letter from employer (for foreign workers)<\/li><li><strong>Digital photo<\/strong><\/li><li>Family information form (IMM 5707)<\/li><li>Biometrics and medical exam (if required)<\/li><li>Proof of payment<\/li><li>Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) letter<\/li><\/ul><h2 id=\"Fees\">4. Fees<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-65eefd0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"65eefd0\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-custom\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-b43d746 sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"b43d746\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d38cc89 elementor-view-default elementor-mobile-position-top elementor-vertical-align-top sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"d38cc89\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<span  class=\"elementor-icon elementor-animation-\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"far fa-money-bill-alt\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span  >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$155\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-icon-box-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWork permit fee\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-641a1a2 sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"641a1a2\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bdbe328 elementor-view-default elementor-mobile-position-top elementor-vertical-align-top sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"bdbe328\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<span  class=\"elementor-icon elementor-animation-\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"far fa-money-bill-alt\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span  >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t$100\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-icon-box-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tOpen work permit holder fee\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-f6392fd sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"f6392fd\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b079fb elementor-view-default elementor-mobile-position-top elementor-vertical-align-top sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"3b079fb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<span  class=\"elementor-icon elementor-animation-\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"far fa-money-bill-alt\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span  >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t $85\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-icon-box-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tBiometrics fee (if applicable)\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-20d2152 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"20d2152\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 id=\"Validity\">5. Validity of the Work Permit<\/h2><p>The SOWP is typically valid <strong>until the same date as the spouse\u2019s permit<\/strong>, whether a study or work permit. It must be extended if the principal\u2019s permit is extended.<\/p><h2 id=\"What\">6. What If You\u2019re Not Eligible?<\/h2><p>If you are not eligible for a SOWP, you may:<\/p><ul><li>Apply for a <strong>visitor visa (TRV)<\/strong> to accompany your spouse (you <strong>cannot work<\/strong> on a TRV)<\/li><li>Apply for a <strong>different work permit<\/strong>, such as:<ul><li>LMIA-supported employer-specific work permit<\/li><li>LMIA-exempt work permit under international agreements (e.g., CUSMA)<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Validity-Work-Permit00.jpg\" alt=\"Validity of the Work Permit\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\" \/><\/p><p><strong id=\"Conclusion\" class=\"strblue\">7. Conclusion\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><p>The Spousal Open Work Permit remains an important option for families to stay together and build a life in Canada. However, the eligibility criteria\u2014especially for spouses of international students and foreign workers\u2014have become more targeted in 2024 and 2025.<\/p><p>Always ensure that your spouse\u2019s program or job meets the current IRCC requirements before submitting your application.<\/p><p><strong id=\"faq\" class=\"strblue\">8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b0bf0d8 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-toggle\" data-id=\"b0bf0d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"toggle.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1851\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1851\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened far fa-window-minimize\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Can I work full-time on a SOWP?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1851\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1851\"><p>Yes. You may work for\u00a0<strong>any employer<\/strong>\u00a0in\u00a0<strong>any province<\/strong>, with\u00a0<strong>no restrictions<\/strong>\u00a0on hours or occupation.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1852\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1852\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened far fa-window-minimize\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Can I apply for a SOWP if my spouse is in a general undergraduate or college program?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1852\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1852\"><p>No. As of March 19, 2024, you are only eligible if your spouse is in a\u00a0<strong>graduate or approved professional undergraduate program<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1853\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1853\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened far fa-window-minimize\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What is an AOR?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1853\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1853\"><p><strong>Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR)<\/strong>, is a formal confirmation from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that they have received your complete application. It indicates that your file has passed the initial completeness check and has been entered into IRCC\u2019s processing system.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1854\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1854\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened far fa-window-minimize\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Can I apply for permanent residence after studying?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1854\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1854\"><p>Yes. You may qualify through PGWP and Canadian Experience Class.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1855\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1855\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened far fa-window-minimize\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How long does it take to receive an AOR from IRCC?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1855\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1855\"><p>The time it takes to receive an AOR depends on the type of application submitted. For Express Entry applicants, the AOR is usually issued within 24 hours to a few days after submitting the electronic application for permanent residence. For the sponsorship application, the AOR may be received within a few weeks, although processing times can vary depending on the volume of applications being handled by IRCC.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Overview A Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) allows the spouse or common-law partner of certain temporary residents in Canada to work for any employer, in any occupation, without the need&hellip;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":21767,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-21823","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/broadgate.ca\/fa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21823","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/broadgate.ca\/fa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/broadgate.ca\/fa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/broadgate.ca\/fa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/broadgate.ca\/fa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21823"}],"version-history":[{"count":67,"href":"https:\/\/broadgate.ca\/fa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21823\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23306,"href":"https:\/\/broadgate.ca\/fa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21823\/revisions\/23306"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/broadgate.ca\/fa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21767"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/broadgate.ca\/fa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21823"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}