immigration News Immigration Updates Team January 29, 2026

Spousal Work Permits May Accelerate PR for Couples

Canada’s immigration framework allows the spouse of an international student to work while their partner studies, potentially leading to permanent residence (PR) eligibility earlier than the studying spouse.

This pathway has gained attention among foreign nationals seeking faster routes to PR through programs such as Express Entry and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

The arrangement combines a study permit for one partner with a spousal open work permit (SOWP) for the other, enabling both to gain Canadian experience that contributes to future PR applications.

Spouses of international students in eligible programs can apply for a SOWP.
Canadian work experience gained under a SOWP can count toward CEC eligibility.
Post-graduation work permits (PGWP) may extend work authorization for both partners.
Couples can remain in Canada with maintained or bridging status while PR applications are processed.
Eligibility depends on the type and duration of the study program and qualifying employment.

Overview of the Study-Work Pathway

Under current Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) policy, a foreign national studying full-time at a designated institution can have their spouse or common-law partner accompany them on a SOWP. This authorization allows the spouse to work in most occupations across Canada while the student completes their studies.

Upon graduation, the student may obtain a PGWP, while the spouse can often renew their SOWP if the graduate secures eligible employment. This combination can create several consecutive years of valid work authorization for both partners.

Illustrative Case: Two-Partner Immigration Progression

A common example involves a couple in which one spouse undertakes a two-year master’s program, while the other enters Canada on a SOWP. The working spouse begins accumulating Canadian work experience recognized under the CEC stream of Express Entry.

After one year of skilled employment, the working spouse may meet the minimum CEC work requirement and can enter the Express Entry pool. If the partner’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score reaches the cut-off level, an invitation to apply (ITA) for PR can be issued before the student even finishes their degree.

When the student later completes their program and receives a PGWP, both partners can continue working in Canada while awaiting PR processing, which typically occurs within several months.

CRS Comparison Example

In one model scenario, the working spouse reached a CRS score of 530 after three years of Canadian experience, language proficiency at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 11, and multiple educational credentials. The studying spouse, with less domestic experience and a CLB 7 score, held a total of 472 points—below the most recent CEC draw threshold of 509.

This example demonstrates how earlier Canadian work experience can substantially influence CRS competitiveness and timeline outcomes.

Eligibility for Spousal Open Work Permits

IRCC restricts SOWP eligibility to the spouses of international students enrolled in specific qualifying programs. These include doctoral degrees, master’s programs of at least 16 months, and several professional or regulated programs such as law, medicine, engineering, education, and nursing.

Additional IRCC-recognized programs include specialized bridging or re-entry courses in provinces such as Manitoba, British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec. For instance, the Nurse Re-Entry program at Red River College Polytechnic in Manitoba qualifies under this policy, aligning with broader provincial immigration objectives under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP).

Maintained and Bridging Work Authorization

When a spouse’s SOWP renewal application is filed before the current permit expires, IRCC grants maintained status, allowing work to continue until a decision is issued. If a PR application has already been submitted, the principal applicant may later qualify for a bridging open work permit (BOWP) that extends authorization while awaiting a final decision.

The other partner can then apply for a new SOWP based on the BOWP holder’s status, maintaining continuous employment eligibility within Canada.

Program Considerations and Conditions

IRCC rules specify that the student must be enrolled full-time in a PGWP-eligible program to ensure their spouse qualifies for a SOWP. After graduation, the student’s employment must fall under Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) categories 0, 1, 2 or 3 for the spouse to remain eligible.

If the graduate’s position does not meet the TEER criteria, the partner seeking to continue working may need to obtain a separate employer-specific work permit under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

Those in bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral programs are not restricted by field of study for PGWP purposes, but must meet institutional and duration requirements to maintain eligibility.

Relevance for Immigration Planning

The structure of Canada’s study and work permit system enables couples to build professional and academic experience concurrently. This can shorten the time needed to qualify for permanent residence under federal economic pathways like Express Entry or provincial programs such as the MPNP.

For many international families, the coordinated use of study and spousal work permits represents one of several legal pathways toward long-term settlement in Canada.

Further updates on IRCC eligibility and Express Entry draws are expected to continue shaping how couples plan their education and employment pathways in the coming years.

Readers can find related coverage on recent immigration program adjustments and draw results within Canada’s federal and provincial systems.