PGWP to Spousal OWP

[palash24]

Hi, Currently I am in my PGWP and my wife is on a study permit. I was wondering if I can apply for Spousal OWP as it will give me a longer work permit expiry date. Please provide your valuable suggestions.

 

[scylla]

Hi, Currently I am in my PGWP and my wife is on a study permit. I was wondering if I can apply for Spousal OWP as it will give me a longer work permit expiry date. Please provide your valuable suggestions.

Almost certainly not possible. IRCC changed the rules around this a while back. I'm assuming you came to Canada first as a student and your wife got her study permit later. If so, you are classified as the principal foreign national and this means you do not qualify for a SOWP based on your wife's status as either a study permit holder or as a PGWP holder.

 

[palash24]

Almost certainly not possible. IRCC changed the rules around this a while back. I'm assuming you came to Canada first as a student and your wife got her study permit later. If so, you are classified as the principal foreign national and this means you do not qualify for a SOWP based on your wife's status as either a study permit holder or as a PGWP holder.

Yes. I came to Canada as a study permit holder. I was wondering if you have a source that you could share with me. Thank you so much for your reply.

 

[scylla]

Yes. I came to Canada as a study permit holder. I was wondering if you have a source that you could share with me. Thank you so much for your reply.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...es/public-policy-competitiveness-economy.html

 

[palash24]

Thank you again for sharing the source.

I just wanted to clarify that when my wife and I moved to Canada on our study permit, We were not married ( I moved in 2018 and she came here in 20201). In that case, am I going to be still considered as the principal foreign national?

 

[scylla]

Thank you again for sharing the source.

I just wanted to clarify that when my wife and I moved to Canada on our study permit, We were not married ( I moved in 2018 and she came here in 20201). In that case, am I going to be still considered as the principal foreign national?

I think they will apply the rule to you regardless. You can certainly try applying but make sure you have a back-up plan. When does your PGWP expire? Do you qualify for another 18 months under the special policy?

 

[palash24]

I think they will apply the rule to you regardless. You can certainly try applying but make sure you have a back-up plan. When does your PGWP expire? Do you qualify for another 18 months under the special policy?

It is going to expire on June 1st, 2023 and I am really worried. My last question, if I apply and get rejected, will I lose my current post-graduate work permit as well?

 

[scylla]

It is going to expire on June 1st, 2023 and I am really worried. My last question, if I apply and get rejected, will I lose my current post-graduate work permit as well?

I see. In that case you don't qualify for the 18 month extension.

If you apply and are rejected, then you will not lose your current PGWP. Your PGWP will remain valid.