Student Spouse Work Permit
Spouse Open Work Permit for International Students
Since January 21, 2025, spouses and common-law partners of international students qualify for this open work permit only in specific study programs. A valid study permit by itself is no longer enough.
Watch: Student Spouse Work Permit — overview
Student Must Hold a Valid Study Permit
For a new spouse/common-law partner open work permit, the international student must hold a valid study permit and be studying in one of IRCC's eligible program categories.
Eligible Main Study Categories
- Master's degree program of 16 months or longer.
- Doctoral degree program.
- One of IRCC's listed professional university degree programs.
- One of the additional specifically listed eligible programs or pilots.
Professional Degree Programs Currently Listed by IRCC
Dentistry — DDS / DMD
Law — LLB / JD / BCL
Medicine — MD
Optometry — OD
Pharmacy — PharmD / BS / BSc / BPharm
Veterinary Medicine — DVM
Nursing — BScN / BSN / BNSc / BN
Education — BEd
Engineering — BEng / BE / BASc
Other eligible programs exist. IRCC also lists specific programs such as the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot and selected health-profession bridging/recognition programs in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia. These are program-specific and should be checked against the current IRCC list before applying.
Generally not eligible for a new spouse OWP under this student measure: spouses of students in ordinary college diplomas, certificates, most undergraduate programs, and master's programs shorter than 16 months, unless the program appears in IRCC's specifically eligible list.
Documents Commonly Required
- Proof of marriage or common-law relationship.
- Student's valid study permit.
- Valid letter of acceptance, proof of enrolment or current transcripts.
- Proof that the program meets an eligible category.
- Passport and other documents required by the applicant's circumstances.
Permit Length
Most of the time, the spouse/common-law partner's open work permit is issued for the same period as the student's study permit, subject to passport validity and IRCC's assessment.
Current Government Fees
$155work permit processing fee
$100open work permit holder fee
$255total before biometrics, where applicable
Extending an existing spouse OWP: IRCC has separate extension rules. The student generally must have a valid study permit, be physically in Canada or coming to Canada while studying, be a full-time student in a PGWP-eligible program at a DLI, and not be in the final term. The spouse's extension cannot go beyond the student's study permit expiry.
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