Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will significantly tighten access to Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWPs) over the next three years, impacting both international students and temporary foreign workers. Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced on September 18 that the government aims to reduce the number of SOWPs by over 100,000, in a broader effort to control the flow of temporary residents and align the immigration system with labour market needs.
A key change affects international students and their spouses. Starting next year, only spouses of graduate students in certain master’s and doctoral programs will remain eligible for open work permits. Additionally, master’s programs must now be at least 16 months in duration for spouses to qualify. This marks a major shift from previous policies, which permitted SOWPs for spouses of most full-time international students.
These new restrictions build on earlier policies introduced by IRCC in 2024, which limited SOWPs to spouses of students enrolled at designated learning institutions (DLIs) in select high-demand academic programs. At the same time, master’s and PhD students will be included in a capped allocation of 437,000 study permits set for 2025, with just 12% of this quota earmarked for graduate-level students. Notably, this cap will not apply to them in 2024, offering a temporary reprieve.
Minister Miller noted that the latest changes will lead to a decrease of approximately 50,000 SOWPs issued to spouses of international students over a three-year period. The changes mark part of a broader realignment of Canada’s temporary immigration streams, which have seen significant growth in recent years.
In addition to international students, spouses of temporary foreign workers will also see eligibility restricted. Only spouses of highly skilled professionals—such as senior executives, engineers, scientists, lawyers, professors, and technicians—or those working in sectors facing acute labour shortages will continue to qualify for SOWPs.
IRCC estimates that an additional 50,000 permits related to temporary foreign workers will be cut, bringing the total reduction in SOWPs to around 100,000 between 2024 and 2027. The government says the new policy reflects an evolving immigration strategy that balances family reunification with Canada’s economic and labour needs.
As the federal government recalibrates its immigration programs to manage growth and ensure sustainability, these new criteria underscore the rising importance of program alignment with national priorities. Students and workers planning to come to Canada with family members are urged to review the updated requirements closely.
Maple News will continue to monitor and provide timely updates on Canada’s evolving immigration landscape.