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Please help! Transition from PGWP to SOWP if spouse starts study

powereng1982

Hero Member
Jun 4, 2021
880
374
42
Canada
Are you saying people on pgwp or study permit are prohibited from getting married?
So neither of them can get SOWP. Even though they never had dependents on their initial permits?
Actually I was replying to your above message. Why would it be neigher? They both are eligible for SOWP. Spouse of PGWP holder under C41 and spouse of study permit holder under C42
 
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Tofebi

Member
Aug 18, 2022
13
1
I’m even more confused, I have read this article and by my understanding. It says either of them can get SOWP. Long as they never had a dependent on their previous visas. Right?
 

powereng1982

Hero Member
Jun 4, 2021
880
374
42
Canada
I’m even more confused, I have read this article and by my understanding. It says either of them can get SOWP. Long as they never had a dependent on their previous visas. Right?
Where does it say "either of them can get SOWP"?

For dependency, they have to provide necessary documentations i.e marriage certficates etc. As you said they had no dependents in previous applications, so there should be no issue with that

Secondly for work permit, they both have active status; both can work already. Why would they need to apply their SOWP at this time?
 

Tofebi

Member
Aug 18, 2022
13
1
Actually I was replying to your above message. Why would it be neigher? They both are eligible for SOWP. Spouse of PGWP holder under C41 and spouse of study permit holder under C42
Thank you so much
Where does it say "either of them can get SOWP"?

For dependency, they have to provide necessary documentations i.e marriage certficates etc.

Secondly for work permit, they both have active status; both can work already. Why would they need to apply their SOWP at this time?
Each article individually states that their dependent can get SOWP.

Also, one of them has a shorter work visa. Expiring early next year.
 

saichand

Star Member
Mar 29, 2018
73
4
You are not eligible for an SOWP if your spouse begins to study. Canada changed the rules a few years ago. This loophole previously allowed spouses and common-law partners to “flip-flop” between who was the principal status holder (the student or the worker), and then become the spousal open work permit holder themselves as their own spouse either went to school or began working in an eligible job. This was done in order to continue remaining in Canada as a temporary resident and gaining eligible work experience for a PR application, and will no longer be possible. So you are considered the principal status holder, so if your spouse begins to study you cannot get SOWP.
What if in this case, the original student also the original pgwp holder is studying again a masters program eligibe for sowp, in that case will this person be the principal applicant still back from when he first applied for study and work permits and the spouse is on a C41, can the spouse transition to C42 if they are both applying together from inside Canada?