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If you're planning to study in Canada on a study permit, here's some interesting information that might be useful. Yes, your spouse could potentially obtain permanent resident (PR) status in Canada before you do. It sounds a little strange, but with the right planning and options, it's possible.

This is made possible through the Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP). If a student is enrolled in a qualifying study program in Canada, their spouse can work full-time. This allows the student to focus on their studies while their spouse gains Canadian work experience. In a four-year degree program, it's possible that the spouse could become eligible to apply for permanent residency even before the student graduates.

Even shorter programs, like a two-year master's degree, offer advantages. After graduation, the student can obtain a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), and the spouse can renew their SOWP. This allows both to work for an additional three years, which makes the path to PR easier.

Let's look at an example of a couple from Belarus:
An example is Billan and Maranja from Belarus. Billan went to Canada for a two-year master's program, and Maranja accompanied him on an SOWP. During this time, Maranja worked in Canada and became eligible for PR through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). By the time Billan graduated, she had accumulated sufficient work experience and completed the language tests. As a result, she received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through Express Entry relatively quickly, while Billan was still behind in terms of eligibility.

How does Canada's points system work?

The reason for obtaining permanent residency sooner is the points system. Maranja was 28 years old, had a two-year diploma, a four-year bachelor's degree, three years of Canadian work experience, and excellent English. This gave her a CRS score of 530, which is above the recent CEC cut-off. Meanwhile, Billan, 33, despite having a master's and bachelor's degree, had a CRS score of only 472 due to just one year of work experience and limited English skills.

Not every study program qualifies for a Spouse Open Work Permit (SOWP). Generally, programs leading to bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees are considered safe options. In some provinces, nursing, pharmacy, midwifery, and Francophone minority community programs are also eligible for SOWP.

Important points to note:
Job category matters. After graduation, the student's employment should be in TEER 0, 1, or in-demand TEER 2/3 categories for the spouse's SOWP to remain valid.
Plan for work permit gaps. If an SOWP is not granted, a closed work permit option is available through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
Always check program eligibility. Enrolling in a PGWP-eligible program is a safer option.
Studying in Canada is not just an academic journey; it can also be a family immigration strategy. With proper planning and program selection, your spouse can potentially obtain permanent residency first, further securing your family's future.

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