Canada to Slash 100,000 Spousal Work Permits Amid Stricter Immigration Regulations

The Spousal Open Work Permit program in Canada is undergoing significant modifications, with 100,000 fewer permits granted over the following three years. The new regulations would change immigration laws for foreign families by restricting permits to spouses of students enrolled in particular programs.

The Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) program in Canada is undergoing major revisions, with plans to eliminate over 100,000 permits in the next three years. As the nation works to manage its expanding population of temporary residents—which is expected to top 2 million in 2023—this action is a reflection of Canada’s larger immigration reforms.

Overview: Spousal Work Permit

A Spousal Open Work Permit enables a foreign student or skilled worker’s spouse or common-law partner to work in Canada for any employer without requiring an offer of employment. This permission is very valuable to foreign families because it offers them financial help while they are visiting. Access to this permit will be considerably more restricted, nevertheless, due to the new limitations.

New Limitations on Permits for Spousal Open Work

Only spouses of students enrolled in particular master’s and doctorate programs will be qualified for SOWPs under the new regulations. The course must also last for a minimum of 16 months. These limitations will thus severely restrict the number of work permits available to wives of overseas students, which will affect several families that depend on these licenses to make ends meet while living in Canada.

Additional Reforms to Immigration

Canada is strengthening its regulations for work permits and study permits for spouses of skilled workers, in addition to the modifications made to the SOWP program. It is anticipated that these changes will alter the situation for foreign families and students wishing to establish themselves in Canada.

Why Are These Shifts Taking Place?

Canada is striving to manage the substantial expansion in its temporary resident population. The government is working to manage the inflow and make sure the system is sustainable in light of the rising number of foreign students and skilled workers entering the nation. These changes represent a change in Canada’s immigration policy, to grant more specialized permits that meet the demands of the nation’s population and economy.

Effects on Families Abroad

International families who are considering relocating to Canada are probably going to be significantly impacted by the new restrictions on SOWPs. As a result, a lot of spouses depend on work permits to provide for their families and themselves while their primary applicant finishes school or their job program.

Key Takeaways

• In the following three years, more than 100,000 Spousal Open Work Permits will be revoked.
• The only people who qualify include spouses of students enrolled in certain master’s and doctoral programs that last at least 16 months.
• There are new restrictions on work permits and study permits for spouses of skilled workers.

If you are an international student or skilled worker who hopes to relocate to Canada, be informed about how these changes may affect your plans!

IRCC Previous Update For Spousal Open Work Permit 2024

IRCC made several adjustments to Canada’s overseas student program on March 19, 2024. International students’ spouses and partners are only eligible for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP), according to the IRCC, if their sponsor has enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program in Canada. Documents about their relationship with the student must be submitted by spouses and partners who wish to apply for SOWP.

Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP)

In Canada, a spouse or partner of a temporary Canadian permit holder is granted a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP). This permits the partner or spouse to remain in Canada and continue working. A spouse may apply for a spousal open work permit if they have applied to be sponsored by their partner or if their partner is in Canada on a study or work permit.

Eligibility Requirements for SOWP

The IRCC modified the requirements for Spousal Open Work Permits on January 22, 2024. This means that wives and partners of overseas students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs will not be qualified for SOWP funding.

The IRCC modified the requirements for Spousal Open Work Permit eligibility on March 19, 2024. These modifications state that international students’ spouses and partners may apply for the SOWP provided their sponsor is enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program in Canada.