Canada has tightened the eligibility rules for spousal open work permits (SOWPs) for families of international students. The major change came into effect on January 21, 2025, and remains in effect in 2026. Under the current Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) rules, the spouse or common-law partner of an international student may generally qualify for an open work permit only when the student is enrolled in a Master’s degree program lasting 16 months or longer, a doctoral program, or certain eligible professional or special programs.
Master’s Programs Under 16 Months Are Excluded
The most important change for international students is the introduction of the 16-month minimum for Master’s programs.
If an international student is enrolled in a Master’s program that lasts less than 16 months, their spouse or common-law partner is generally not eligible for a Canada spousal open work permit under the international-student family-work-permit stream.
This means that students should carefully check the official duration of their Master’s program before applying to study in Canada.
Eligibility still depends on the spouse meeting the other IRCC requirements.
When Did the New Rule Start?
The new rules came into effect on January 21, 2025.
Before this change, spouses of a broader range of international students could qualify for an open work permit. Under the revised rules, family open work permits were restricted to spouses of students in Master’s programs of at least 16 months, doctoral programs, certain professional degree programs and specific eligible programs.
The policy continues to apply in 2026. IRCC’s March 2026 briefing confirms that access remains limited to spouses of students enrolled in Master’s programs of 16 months or more, doctoral programs, certain professional programs and select eligible programs.
Who Can Still Get a Canada Spousal Open Work Permit?
Under the current IRCC spousal open work permit rules, a spouse or common-law partner may generally qualify if the international student has a valid study permit and is:
- Studying in a Master’s degree program lasting 16 months or longer.
- Studying in a doctoral degree program.
- Studying in certain eligible professional degree programs.
- Participating in one of the specific programs or pilots listed by IRCC.
Eligible professional degrees include certain programs such as:
- Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS/DMD)
- Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor (LLB/JD/BCL)
- Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- Doctor of Optometry (OD)
- Pharmacy degrees
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing and certain equivalent nursing degrees
- Bachelor of Education (BEd)
- Bachelor of Engineering (BEng, BE or BASc)
What About Doctoral Students?
The 16-month restriction does not apply to doctoral students in the same way.
Spouses of international students enrolled in a doctoral degree program remain eligible for a spousal open work permit, provided the other IRCC requirements are met.
What About Existing Spousal Work Permits?
The January 21, 2025 changes did not automatically cancel family open work permits that had already been approved and had not expired.
IRCC also provides rules allowing certain existing permits to be extended when the family continues to meet the applicable requirements. The extension cannot normally go beyond the expiry date of the principal student’s study permit.
Can a Spouse Still Work if the Student Has a 12-Month Master’s?
A spouse whose partner is studying in a Master’s program shorter than 16 months is generally not eligible for the student-spouse open work permit under this stream.
However, this does not necessarily mean the spouse can never obtain a Canadian work permit. IRCC states that individuals who do not qualify for this specific open work permit may be eligible for another type of work permit if they meet its requirements independently.
Important for Students Choosing a Canadian Master’s
Students planning to move to Canada with their spouse should check more than just the university and tuition fee.
Before accepting an offer, check:
- The official length of the Master’s program.
- Whether the program is 16 months or longer.
- Whether the institution is a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
- Whether the program is eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
- The current IRCC requirements for the spouse’s work permit.
- Tuition fees and estimated living expenses.
- Whether the university offers a program that matches the student’s academic background.
Current Canada Master’s 16 months work permit Rule in 2026
As of September 2026, the current IRCC rule remains:
Master’s program of 16 months or longer → spouse may qualify for an open work permit, subject to the requirements.
Master’s program shorter than 16 months → spouse generally does not qualify under the international-student SOWP stream.
Doctoral program → spouse remains within the eligible student categories, subject to the requirements.
Conclusion
Canada’s changes to spousal open work permits have significantly affected international students planning to study with their families. Since January 21, 2025, spouses of international students have faced more limited eligibility, with the key Master’s requirement being a program duration of at least 16 months. The rule remains in place in 2026.
Why Choose Study Abroad Updates?
Students planning to study in Canada with their spouse should therefore check the official Master’s duration, Canada Designated Learning Institution (DLI) status, Canada Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility and current IRCC family-work-permit requirements before choosing a university or accepting an admission offer.
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