Spouses will get PR before an international student in Canada, i.e., a couple may be able to get Canadian permanent residence (PR) much sooner when one spouse studies in Canada and the other works.
If one spouse comes to Canada on a study permit and enrolls in an eligible program, the other spouse may qualify for a spousal open work permit (SOWP). This allows the non-studying spouse to work in Canada.
By the time the studying spouse finishes school, the working spouse may already be a strong candidate for PR through Express Entry.
In a four-year program, the working spouse may even receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for PR before the studying spouse graduates.
In a two-year master’s program, this is less likely. However, after graduation, the studying spouse can get a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). At the same time, the other spouse can get another SOWP. This gives the couple up to three more years of legal work status in Canada. During this time, they may receive an ITA. This can bring them about two years closer to PR than if the working spouse had stayed outside Canada.
Study Programs That Allow A Spouse To Get An SOWP
For a spouse to qualify for an SOWP, the international student must be enrolled in an eligible study program. These include:
- Doctoral degree program
- Master’s degree program of 16 months or longer
- An eligible professional program:
- 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).
- Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc).
- Bachelor of Nursing (BN).
- Bachelor of Education (BEd).
- Bachelor of Engineering (BEng, BE, BASc).
IRCC has also listed the following as eligible:
Additional Eligible Programs
- Supervised Practice Experience Partnership – Ontario
- Nurse Re-Entry (Red River College Polytechnic) – Manitoba
- Internationally Educated Midwives Bridging Program (The University of British Columbia) – British Columbia
- Canadian Pharmacy Practice Program (CP3) (The University of British Columbia)
- Post-Degree Diploma: Nursing Practice in Canada (Langara College) – British Columbia
- Le projet de reconnaissance des compétences d’infirmières et d’infirmiers recrutés à l’international – Québec
- Projet de reconnaissance des compétences d’inhalothérapeutes formés à l’étranger – Quebec
- Projet de recrutement et reconnaissance des compétences de technologistes médicaux formés à l’étranger – Québec
- Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP) – Outside Quebec
Important Points To Consider
- Spouses of foreign workers can only get an SOWP in certain situations and must meet specific conditions, such as having a valid work permit.
- After Graduation: If the working spouse cannot get an SOWP because the international graduate does not find a qualifying job, other options may be available. One option is applying for a closed work permit under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
- The spouse who plans to study should confirm that the study program is PGWP-eligible before applying for a study permit. This includes checking program length, full-time study requirements, language proof, and field of study rules (if required).
Graduates of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs are not required to meet field of study rules.
This approach shows how families can plan their move to Canada more strategically. When one spouse studies and the other works, the working spouse can often gain Canadian experience and become eligible for PR much faster. This method can reduce waiting time, improve CRS scores, and create a clearer pathway to permanent residence for both partners.
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