NEW CHANGES TO SOWP- 2024

[MPH.UOFA]

IRCC recently announced;
'open work permits will only be available to spouses of international students in master’s and doctoral programs. The spouses of international students in other levels of study, including undergraduate and college programs, will no longer be eligible.'

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2024/01/canada-to-stabilize-growth-and-decrease-number-of-new-international-student-permits-issued-to-approximately-360000-for-2024.html

 

[Naturgrl]

IRCC recently announced;
'open work permits will only be available to spouses of international students in master’s and doctoral programs. The spouses of international students in other levels of study, including undergraduate and college programs, will no longer be eligible.'

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2024/01/canada-to-stabilize-growth-and-decrease-number-of-new-international-student-permits-issued-to-approximately-360000-for-2024.html

There are threads on this already but a big change!

 

[lewanjey]

Is it already implemented or from September?

 

[scylla]

Is it already implemented or from September?

"In the weeks ahead", so anytime now.

 

[aamir96]

"In the weeks ahead", so anytime now.

My spouse is in Canada on study visa and I'm going to apply in couple of days for sowp does it apply to me or to those who r going to apply for study visa in coming intakes?

 

[Naturgrl]

My spouse is in Canada on study visa and I'm going to apply in couple of days for sowp does it apply to me or to those who r going to apply for study visa in coming intakes?

All you can do is apply and see what happens. The announcement for SOWPs was “in a few weeks” so who knows if IRCC will accept those who have already applied.

 

[scylla]

My spouse is in Canada on study visa and I'm going to apply in couple of days for sowp does it apply to me or to those who r going to apply for study visa in coming intakes?

We don't know. Apply asap and hope for the best.

 

[CarlosViRo]

I already got a PGWP. In October my wife applied to extend her SOWP. Will this change will affect to us?

 

[Naturgrl]

I already got a PGWP. In October my wife applied to extend her SOWP. Will this change will affect to us?

No, it should not but will not know until approved.

 

[zamsel]

So does this affect graduate programs? mine is a 1 year program with a co-op semester

 

[MPH.UOFA]

So does this affect graduate programs? mine is a 1 year program with a co-op semester

no it shouldn't impact students already in Canada

 

[Naturgrl]

So does this affect graduate programs? mine is a 1 year program with a co-op semester

Have you applied yet? Is it a Masters program? If not a Masters program then spouse is not eligible for a work permit.

 

[zamsel]

It’s Ontario College Graduate Certificate. I’m now confused if this is considered a post graduate program. The official website says that students applying for master’s, phd and other post grad programs do not need letter of attestation to apply for visa. Should I wait for the letter to file visa?

 

[Rifa<3]

Hi everyone,
I have some concerns, my 2nd course starts in Sep 2024 (current permits SP and SOWP- expire in July). So i believe naturally we will be applying for extensions of the current permits rather than new permits.

In that case I have 2 questions, considering the recent IRCC announcements:

1- Since we are SP and SOWP cases, if I opt for a course in May 2024 instead of Sep and then apply for SPE and SOWP ext right now then would it still impact my SOWP ext?

2- I have heard from some visa agents that if I'm opting for Sep 2024 course then I can only apply for SPE and SOWP ext within 150 days of the commencement of the course. Is this true? Considering the recent updates, I would like to apply for new extension asap but dont want rejection because i applied before 150 days frame.

 

[zamsel]

IRCC recently announced;
'open work permits will only be available to spouses of international students in master’s and doctoral programs. The spouses of international students in other levels of study, including undergraduate and college programs, will no longer be eligible.'

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2024/01/canada-to-stabilize-growth-and-decrease-number-of-new-international-student-permits-issued-to-approximately-360000-for-2024.html

In case im not able to take my spouse on sowp, can i apply for visitor visa while both of us are still outside canada??