BUSINESS DAY
Canada’s spousal open work permit (SOWP) scheme has recently made changes that will lead to 50,000 fewer permits being issued over the next three years to spouses of international students.
This affects spouses of students enrolled in doctoral and certain master’s programmes, select professional courses and specific pilot programmes.
Canada’s immigration minister, Minister Miller, recently announced this saying that the changes apply only to those whose programme lasts at least 16 months.
Additionally, the decision by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to include master’s and doctoral students in the cap on study permits issued in 2025 will further impact these permits.
The IRCC has allocated 12% of the 437,000 study permits for 2025 to these students, while master’s and PhD students remain exempt from the 2024 cap.
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