Applying for a Canada Spouse Open Work Permit (SOWP) looks simple on paper, but in reality, proof of funds is one of the biggest reasons for refusals. Many applicants are eligible, yet their applications still get refused because funds are either insufficient or incorrectly presented.
In this detailed guide by Globexa Immigration, we explain exactly how to show funds, what counts as valid financial capacity, what mistakes to avoid, and how to maximize approval chancesβespecially when applying from outside Canada.
1. Spouse Open Work Permit: Inside Canada vs Outside Canada
If You Are Inside Canada
If you are already inside Canada and applying for a spouse open work permit along with a work permit extension, you usually do NOT need to show separate liquid funds. In many such cases, applications are approved without additional proof of funds.
If You Are Outside Canada
If you are outside Canada, proof of funds becomes mandatory, even if:
Your spouse is working full-time
Your spouse earns CAD 50,000 or more
Your spouse has a 2-year masterβs degree
Your spouse already has a long-term work permit
No funds = refusal, regardless of eligibility.
2. Why Proof of Funds Is So Important for Spouse Visa
The first mindset of a visa officer in spouse applications is often refusal first. Your job is to convert that refusal into approval by presenting:
Sufficient funds
Correctly displayed funds
Even if eligibility is met, poor financial presentation guarantees refusal.
3. How Much Funds Are Required for Spouse Open Work Permit?
Most Common Mistake: Skipping the Primary Applicant
Many applicants do not count the spouse already in Canada while calculating funds.
This is 100% wrong.
Visa officers calculate funds based on total family members after arrival in Canada, not just the applicant abroad.
Required Funds Breakdown (CAD)
| Family Members | Required Funds |
|---|---|
| Husband + Wife | $29,000 β $30,000 |
| Husband + Wife + 1 Child | $36,000 |
| Husband + Wife + 2 Children | $43,000 |
| Husband + Wife + 3 Children | $49,000 β $50,000 |
πΉ Rule to remember:
Primary applicant: $23,000
Each additional family member: +$7,000
β You cannot skip the primary applicant already in Canada.
4. Can Showing More Funds Guarantee Approval?
No.
Some applicants get approval with $30,000
Others get refusal even after showing $50,000
This happens because:
Visa decisions are subjective
Different visa officers assess files differently
π What you can control is:
Showing the correct amount
Showing funds in the correct format
5. What Counts as Acceptable Proof of Funds?
β Acceptable (Liquid Funds)
You can show:
Savings account statements (India, Canada, or any country)
Fixed Deposits (FDs) β must be withdrawable anytime
GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate) β ICICI, CIBC, Beacon, etc.
These can be held:
In India
In Canada
Anywhere in the world
(as long as you have access)
β NOT Acceptable as Primary Funds
These do NOT count as liquid financial capacity:
Property / real estate
Mutual funds
Shares / stocks
Provident Fund (PF)
LIC policies
Gold
Assets shown only in CA report
Funds held with parents or relatives
These are secondary assets, not primary proof.
Visa officers first check liquid funds.
If liquid funds are insufficient, they will not even look at your net worth or CA report.
6. CA Report Reality Check
A CA report has three sections:
Fixed assets
Liquid assets
Income
Visa officers focus only on liquid funds first:
Savings
FD
GIC
If you show:
CAD 31,000 in liquid funds
CAD 20,000 in other assets
Visa officer is satisfied only because of the first CAD 31,000.
7. Biggest Reason for Refusals: Bank Statement Mistakes
β Large Deposits or Withdrawals
Sudden deposits like:
βΉ2 lakh
βΉ3 lakh
βΉ5 lakh
Immediately raise suspicion.
Visa officers have only 3β5 minutes to review your file.
They will not read SOP explanations for messy transactions.
β Business Transactions in Savings Account
Property deals
Client payments
Commission transfers
These must never appear in the account you are showing for visa.
π Open a separate account for business transactions.
β Transferring Money Between Husband & Wife
Unnecessary transfers between spouse accounts create confusion and refusals.
8. Ideal Bank Balance Rule
If your balance is βΉ15 lakh:
It should stay between βΉ14.5 β βΉ15.5 lakh
No big fluctuations
No sudden activity
Maintain one clean account only for visa purposes.
9. NEVER Withdraw Funds After Submission
Withdrawing funds after submission can result in:
5-year ban
PR refusal for both spouses
IRCC can verify bank balances directly from head offices, not local branches.
10. How Early Should Funds Be Maintained?
β Minimum: 4β6 months before applying
β Best practice: As early as possible
Funds cannot be βcreatedβ at the last moment.
11. What If Funds Are New?
Best solutions:
GIC (ICICI / CIBC / Beacon)
Fixed Deposit
Beacon Account (India + Canada access)
π New funds look much stronger in GIC/FD than in savings accounts.
12. Can You Borrow Funds?
β Borrowed funds in savings account = refusal
β
Borrowed funds converted into FD or GIC = acceptable
13. Whose Funds Are Allowed?
β Only husband and wife
β Parents, siblings, relatives β NOT allowed
Funds can be:
100% with husband
100% with wife
Any combination
14. Where Can Funds Be Shown?
Anywhere:
India
Canada
UAE
Nigeria
USA
As long as you have access to the account.
15. Final Advice from Globexa Immigration
Always show correct amount
Always show clean statements
Never do large transactions
Never withdraw funds after applying
Prepare funds months in advance
Avoid assumptions & shortcuts
π Property worth crores is useless if you donβt have CAD 30,000 liquid.
16. Need Expert Help?
Even if you have:
Multiple refusals
Complex financial history
Previous mistakes
Globexa Immigration can handle your case professionally.
π Contact Globexa Immigration today for expert guidance on your Canada Spouse Open Work Permit.
