In a significant move, Canada’s Immigration Minister Marc Miller has announced plans to reduce the number of Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWPs) by more than 100,000 over the next three years. This decision aims to stabilize the growth of temporary residents in Canada, which has seen a significant surge in recent years.
New Eligibility Criteria
As of April 30, spouses of international students can apply for a SOWP if their sponsor is enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program or specific professional degree programs, such as:
- 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)
Additionally, applicants must provide proof of their relationship to the student, a valid letter of acceptance, proof of enrollment or transcripts from their current program.
Impact on International Students
The changes will result in 50,000 fewer SOWPs being issued to spouses of international students over the next three years. This move is part of the Canadian government’s efforts to address concerns about the rapid growth of international students, which has put pressure on housing, healthcare and other services.
Reducing Temporary Residents
Canada aims to decrease its temporary resident population from 6.5% to 5% over the next three years. To achieve this, the government has introduced measures such as capping study permits for 2025 and changing eligibility criteria for Post-Graduation Work Permits.
Application Process
While no official ministerial instructions have been issued regarding the tightened SOWP restrictions, applicants can expect the following requirements:
- A valid letter of acceptance from the sponsor’s designated learning institution (DLI)
- Proof of enrollment or transcripts from the current program
- Proof of participation in eligible pilot programs (if applicable)
- Proof of relationship to the student
Approved SOWPs will be valid for the same length as the sponsor’s study permit. For the latest updates on immigration policies and procedures, visit official government websites, such as Canada.ca.
