On Jan 14, 2025, IRCC confirmed the policy changes for spousal work permits which are effective Jan 21, 2025.
For your spouse or common-law partner to be eligible for a spousal work permit during your studies, you must be enrolled in a doctoral program, master’s degree program which is 16 months or longer, or select programs.
For your spouse or common-law partner to be eligible for a spousal work permit while you are applying for/have a Post-Graduation Work Permit, you must be employed in TEER 0 or 1 occupations, or selected TEER 2 or 3 occupations (the list will be available Jan 21, 2025), and have at least 16 months remaining on your work permit at the time of application. Dependent children are no longer eligible for a work permit. Click Here for more Information
If your common-law partner or spouse has a spousal work permit under the previous rules, it will remain valid until the expiry date. If they are in Canada it could be extended to match your study or work permit if they are applying under the same criteria as their current work permit.
