Changes to Open Work Permits of Spouses of International Students

“If your spouse or common-law partner is applying for an open work permit on or after March 19, 2024

Starting March 19, 2024, your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for an open work permit if you have a valid study permit and you are studying in either

• a master’s or doctoral degree program in a university or polytechnic institution, or
• one of the following professional degree programs at a university:
  • 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)

If your spouse or common-law partner applied for an open work permit before March 19, 2024

Your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for an open work permit if you meet the following 3 requirements:

• You have a valid study permit.
• You’re eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).
• You’re a full-time student.

If your spouse or common-law partner is applying to extend their existing open work permit under this stream

Your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible to extend their existing open work permit under this stream if you meet 3 requirements:

• You have a valid study permit.
• You’re eligible for a PGWP.
• You’re a full-time student.”

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