canada mmigration Spousal Work Permit Changes for 2026

 Here are the **key changes to Canada’s Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) policy that are relevant going into 2026 — reflecting the new rules introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in early 2025 and still in force:

πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦ Canada Spousal Work Permit Changes (Effective Jan 21, 2025 — still in force in 2026)

1. New stricter eligibility criteria for spouses

  • Spouses/common-law partners can only apply for an open work permit if the principal applicant (student or worker) meets specific criteria.

**2. For spouses of international students

  • Eligible only if the student is enrolled in:
    Master’s programs at least 16 months long
    Doctoral (PhD) programs
    Select professional/eligible programs (e.g., Nursing, Medicine, Law, etc.)

  • Spouses of students in most college diplomas, undergraduate degrees, language programs, or short courses are not eligible for a SOWP under this policy.

**3. For spouses of foreign workers (temporary work permit holders)

  • SOWP eligibility is limited to foreign workers employed in one of the following:
    TEER 0 (management) or TEER 1 (professional) occupations
    Select TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupations in sectors with labour shortages or government priorities (e.g., healthcare, natural resources, education)

  • The main worker’s permit must have at least 16 months of validity remaining when the spouse applies.

**4. Dependent children no


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