Why You Should Apply for Your Spouse's Open Work Permit Along with Your PGWP – Even Without a Full-Time Job
If you are about to complete your studies in Canada and planning to apply for your Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), you are not alone in wondering whether to submit your Spouse Open Work Permit (SOWP) application at the same time — especially if you don’t currently have a full-time job under a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation. Many international students find themselves asking: “SOWP Extension with PG Work Permit if Not Working Full-time?“ This situation is extremely common among international graduates in Canada, particularly around April 2025, as students complete their programs and transition to work permits. In this blog, I will answer this pressing question and explain why it is strongly recommended to apply for your spouse’s work permit together with your PGWP, even if you have not secured a full-time job yet.
1. Two Categories of Spouse Open Work Permit (SOWP) Applications
There are two main situations for spouse applications:
Spouse Inside Canada
If your spouse is already inside Canada, you will apply for a SOWP extension.
Spouse Outside Canada
If your spouse is outside Canada, you will submit a fresh SOWP application from abroad.
✅ Important:
In both cases, you can and should apply for SOWP along with your PGWP. Whether your spouse is inside or outside Canada, filing both applications together is allowed and advisable.
2. Why Many People Hesitate to Apply for SOWP Together?
Many students hesitate to apply for their spouse’s work permit because:
They don’t have a full-time job yet (required for SOWP eligibility).
Concern over refusal if no job is available at the time of application.
Unawareness about PGWP processing timelines, leading to poor planning.
Reality Check:
You may not have a job today, but you will likely find one in the next 2-5 months while your PGWP is processing. And that’s all you need! You do not need a full-time job at the time of filing, but you can submit job proof later through a web form before your SOWP is decided.
3. What Happens If You Wait to Apply?
Let’s understand with an example:
You apply for your PGWP in April 2025.
PGWP results are delayed by 6–8 months (normal processing time).
You receive PGWP approval only around October or November 2025.
Meanwhile, your spouse’s current visa expires in July or August 2025.
❗Problem:
By the time your PGWP is approved, your spouse’s visa would already have expired. If you haven’t applied for a SOWP earlier, your spouse will be out of status. Restoring status later becomes complicated and expensive.
3.1 The Trick People Use:
Some people apply for a second PGWP (dummy application) in August/September 2025 just to be able to file their spouse’s extension before the visa expiry.
However, this method involves:
Filing another PGWP application ($255 extra cost).
Risk of confusion between applications.
Possibility that the visa officer accidentally withdraws both applications.
✅ Moral of the Story:
Avoid this complicated “second PGWP” situation. Save time, save money, and avoid stress by applying for both PGWP and SOWP right now.
4. What If You Don’t Have a Job Right Now?
Good News:
Even if you don’t have a full-time job today, you have 3 to 5 months to find one while your application is being processed.
As soon as you get a job offer (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 level), submit the job letter through a webform to IRCC.
No need to panic at the time of application.
Even working part-time initially does not harm your PGWP; only your SOWP application depends on your full-time job.
Worried about not getting a job in time?
Still, you are not risking your PGWP at all. Only your spouse’s extension could be impacted — and even that has a good chance of approval later once you submit updated documents.
5. What About Automatic Work Authorization?
After your study permit expires, and while waiting for PGWP approval:
You are under implied status.
You can legally continue working even after your automatic work authorization letter (WP-EXT) expires.
If needed, you can request a new letter via webform.
Processing delays of 6–8 months are normal and beneficial, because your work permit duration starts after approval!
6. Special Scenario: Spouse Outside Canada
If your spouse is outside Canada:
The process is still the same — apply for SOWP along with PGWP.
However, funds proof is required.
Funds Requirement:
| Family Composition | Minimum Funds Required (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Spouse Only (No Kids) | $26,000 |
| Spouse + 1 Child | $32,000 |
| Spouse + 2 Children | $39,000 |
| Spouse + 3 Children | $46,000 |
✅ You can show funds through:
Canadian bank accounts.
Fixed deposits.
GICs or Canadian savings accounts.
✅ If you meet the fund requirement, definitely apply now for your spouse’s open work permit.
If you don’t have funds, you may need to delay or apply later after arranging the funds.
7. Why You Should Definitely Apply Together
Even if the SOWP is rejected later (low chances if you plan properly), at least:
You gave it a chance instead of guaranteed delay.
You saved your spouse from going out of status.
You avoid unnecessary second applications, confusion, and additional costs.
You maximize your chances of being together in Canada faster!
Summary:
| Concern | Solution |
|---|---|
| No Full-time Job Yet | Find one during PGWP processing and submit proof later |
| Spouse Visa Expiring Soon | Apply together to stay in status |
| Fear of Refusal | Submit updated documents later if needed |
| Spouse Outside Canada | Show sufficient funds and apply |
Final Advice
📌 If your spouse is in Canada:
Apply for SOWP extension right now along with PGWP.
📌 If your spouse is outside Canada:
If funds are ready, apply for fresh SOWP along with PGWP.
If funds are not ready, prepare and apply as soon as possible.
✅ Even if you don’t have a full-time job now, you have months of time to submit updates!
Taking the risk of applying now gives you a chance. Waiting guarantees delays.
