Work in Canada

Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) for the spouse of an international student

If you plan to study in Canada at the post-secondary level, your spouse will not always be eligible for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP). Eligibility depends on the level and type of your study program, the status of your designated learning institution, and the current IRCC policy at the time you apply.

When a family does qualify for SOWP, the study-to-PR pathway can become faster and more flexible. That said, there are important limits and requirements for both the primary applicant (student) and the spouse applying for the SOWP.

Key points to consider:

• whether the program and school meet IRCC criteria;
• ongoing student compliance (full-time enrollment, academic progress, authorized leave, etc.);
• spouse’s admissibility and documentation (background, status history, police certificates, etc.);
• policy changes: IRCC rules evolve and SOWP criteria can change over time.

To see whether this pathway fits your family, book a one-on-one consultation and we’ll map out the steps and documents for your case: book a consultation.

Learn more about our College/University admission support here: read more.

Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)

• 1,500 CAD

After completing a post-secondary program in Canada, a student is eligible for a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP), which is an Open Work Permit. The PGWP allows the graduate to work in Canada for several years. After 1 year of working in a relevant job, the graduate can apply for Express Entry under the Canadian Experience Class, which we refer to as the student immigration pathway.

LMIA and Closed Work Permit (Regular Work Permit)

• Service cost varies.

To take advantage of this service, you must already have a job offer from an employer in Canada. Please note that we do not provide employment services.

For immigration through the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program, you need an invitation from a designated employerin one of the Atlantic provinces. To assist you, we have compiled a list of such employers:

• Employers in New Brunswick
• Employers in Nova Scotia
• Employers in Prince Edward Island
• Employers in Newfoundland and Labrador

If you are unsure whether you can obtain an invitation from an employer but are a valuable employee with good education, work experience in high-level positions, and strong English skills, consider immigrating to Canada. After completing immigration, you will also be eligible to work in Canada, and for some applicants, this process is much easier than finding an employer.