“Can my spouse work in Canada while I study?”
Yes, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) offers each international student’s spouse the option of applying for a spousal work permit.
Thousands of international students pursue higher education at Canada’s prestigious Colleges and Universities yearly. Many of these students are married and have families they do not want to part from.
Couples who intend to come to Canada using this arrangement often think they must apply separately for their student visa and spousal open work permit. They believe this because of incorrect advice given to them by immigration consultants.
It is generally better for couples to apply for a student visa and spousal work permit together. This guide will examine why applying for Canadian student and spouse visas together is a better option and how to pursue it.
- Study-Spouse Visa: You can apply for an official Canada study permit and spouse visa at the same time.
- IRCC Recommendation: Due to their faster processing times, IRCC encourages applications for Canada Student Visa with spouse and child.
- Financial Requirements: You must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support yourself during your first year of study. If your family accompanies you, additional funds are needed to support them.
- Relationship: You and your spouse must be married for at least one year before applying for a student visa and spousal work permit together.
- Spousal Work Permit: If your study permit is approved with your spouse accompanying you, your spouse can apply for a spousal open work permit. This allows them to work full-time in Canada during their study period.
- Language Tests: Both you and your spouse must take language proficiency tests.
- Submit the Application: Apply for the study permit and include your spouse.
- Decision and Arrival: Wait for the decision; if approved, come to Canada with your spouse.
Can I Apply For a Canada Study Permit and Spouse Visa together?
You can apply for an official Canada study permit and spouse visa at the same time. Due to their faster processing times, IRCC encourages applications for Canada Student Visa with spouse and child.
The alternative arrangement, where you would apply for each separately, takes much longer. For example, applying for a student visa takes 2 to 3 months. If your spouse applies for their work permit after you have received your student visa, they will need to wait several months before being able to join you in Canada.
Who Can Get an Open Work Permit as Spouse or Common-Law Partner of International Student?
- If you have a valid study permit and are eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP), your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for an open work permit.
- As of March 19, 2024, Spouses and partners of international students are eligible for a SOWP only if their sponsor (the student) is enrolled in a master’s or doctoral degree program at a university or polytechnic institution in Canada.
- There are exceptions for spouses of undergraduate students. Spouses of undergraduate students in specific professional degree programs at a university can also apply for a SOWP. These programs include:
- 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)
For a SOWP application, spouses and partners must provide proof of their relationship to the student and one document showing the partner’s enrolment in a degree program.
Why Do People Avoid Applying for a Canada Study Spouse Visa Together?
People avoid applying for a Canada student visa and spousal work permit together because of misinformation. There is a lot of incorrect information about this topic on the internet. Many websites and forums urge people to apply separately for student visas and work permits to avoid rejection. However, such claims are untrue.
Inexperienced immigration consultants also urge people to apply for student visas and work permits separately. This is because they aren’t aware that IRCC offers a route for international students and their spouses to apply together.
Get Professional Help with Canada Student Spouse Visa
Apply for Canada Student Spouse Visa with the Help of Licensed RCIC Experts.
Canada Student Spouse Visa Requirements
If you are interested in applying for your student visa and spouse work permit together, you and your spouse must meet the following Canada study spouse visa requirements:
Minimum Marriage Length
You and your spouse must be married for a minimum of one year before applying for a student visa and spousal work permit together. This is one of the most important Canadian student spouse visa requirements that was implemented to help reduce the chances of people using fraudulent marriages to get into Canada.
Marriage Documents
You and your partner will need to provide adequate documents related to your marriage. This includes basic items such as your marriage certificate. However, you will also need to include an additional personal proof, such as photographs of your marriage ceremony.
Proof of An Ongoing Relationship
IRCC also requires applicants to demonstrate they are in an ongoing relationship. So even if you are married, you will need to show additional evidence of your relationship. This includes proof you and your spouse are living together in the same house.
You can offer this proof in the form of driver’s licenses, identification documents, and insurance policies that all have the same address listed on them.
Learn more: Prove Genuineness of Relationship in Spouse Visa
Proof of Funds
You must demonstrate that you have enough funds to support yourself and your spouse while in Canada. The good news is that this funds requirement isn’t very high since the assumption is that your spouse will be working in Canada and earning for you and your children. For this reason, you must show that you have enough funds to cover your study program when you submit your application.
Information on Your Children
IRCC also requires you to provide the birth certificate and other identification documents for any children coming to Canada with you and your spouse.
Step-By-Step Application Process for Canada Study Spouse Visa
If you and your spouse intend to pursue a student visa and spousal work permit simultaneously, you will need to follow the application process described below:
Step 1: Perform Research and Planning
The first step is to perform adequate research and planning. This includes understanding what education you want to pursue and applying to Canadian Colleges and Universities accordingly. Then it would be best if you chose the correct student stream for your student visa application.
You can reach out to an experienced professional for help with this. You should then find out what education, language, and financial documents you must submit with your application.
Step 2: Take Language Tests
The prospective student and their spouse must take language tests demonstrating their language proficiency. Once you and your spouse have received your results, you can include them with your application.
Step 3: Submit the Application
Next, you must fill out and submit your applications for the student visa and spousal work permit. Be sure to include all the documents requested for each application.
Step 4: Wait for the Decision and Come to Canada
If your student visa application has been approved, you will get your student visa and be allowed to go to Canada. If your spouse is approved, they will receive a notification around two weeks after your study visa is approved. They can then join you in Canada once they receive their work permit.
FAQ – Canada Student and Spouse Visa
What are the requirements for a Canada student visa?
Requirements may vary based on the country of origin, the chosen institution, and the program of study. However, common requirements include an acceptance letter from a Canadian DLI, proof of financial support, a valid passport, and sometimes medical and security clearances.
Can a spouse accompany a student with a Canada student visa?
Yes, spouses or common-law partners of international students may be eligible to accompany them to Canada on a spouse visa.
What are the requirements for a Canada spouse visa?
The requirements may include proof of the relationship, such as marriage certificates or evidence of cohabitation, along with meeting other eligibility criteria set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Can a spouse work in Canada on a spouse visa?
Yes, spouses of international students with a valid study permit may be eligible to apply for an open work permit, allowing them to work in Canada without needing a job offer.
Take Professional Help from Licensed Consultants
As you can see, you can apply for your student visa and your spouse’s work permit together. Few immigration consultants are familiar with the application process, so it is best to seek help from the knowledgeable Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants at Elaar Immigration. Using this program, we have helped many applicants come to Canada with their spouses and children.
Please contact Elaar Immigration today to get started with this Canada student spouse visa application.
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