Afrigather Canada’s spousal open work allow (SOWP) scheme has just lately made adjustments that can result in 50,000 fewer permits being issued over the subsequent three years to spouses of worldwide college students.
This impacts spouses of scholars enrolled in doctoral and sure grasp’s programmes, choose skilled programs and particular pilot programmes.
Canada’s immigration minister, Minister Miller, just lately introduced this saying that the adjustments apply solely to these whose programme lasts at the very least 16 months.
Moreover, the choice by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to incorporate grasp’s and doctoral college students within the cap on research permits issued in 2025 will additional influence these permits.
The IRCC has allotted 12% of the 437,000 research permits for 2025 to those college students, whereas grasp’s and PhD college students stay exempt from the 2024 cap.
Short-term international staff additionally affected
Modifications are additionally being launched to Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWPs) outdoors of the worldwide scholar programme.
The IRCC has introduced plans to restrict eligibility for these permits to spouses of extremely expert and specialised staff.
This consists of roles equivalent to C-suite executives, scientists, engineers, attorneys, professors, and technicians, in addition to spouses of staff in industries dealing with vital labour shortages.
These changes are anticipated to lead to 100,000 fewer SOWPs being granted over the subsequent three years.
Basically, which means that solely spouses of people in high-demand, specialised professions might be eligible for work permits, lowering the general variety of permits issued.
Eligible course packages for SOWP
As of 30 April this 12 months, spouses of worldwide college students turned eligible to use for a Spousal Open Work Allow (SOWP) if the sponsor is a world scholar enrolled in a grasp’s or doctoral programme or one of many following skilled diploma programmes:
- Physician of Dental Surgical procedure (DDS, DMD)
- Bachelor of Regulation or Juris Physician (LLB, JD, BCL)
- Physician of Medication (MD)
- Physician of Optometry (OD)
- Pharmacy (PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm)
- Physician of Veterinary Medication (DVM)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN, BSN, BNSc)
- Bachelor of Training (B. Ed.)
- Bachelor of Engineering (B. Eng., BE, BASc)
