Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP)
A Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) allows the spouse or common-law partner of a Canadian worker, international student, or PR sponsorship applicant to work for any Canadian employer.
Eligible Sponsoring Spouses
Your spouse can sponsor you for an SOWP if they are:
- ● A foreign worker on a permit in select TEER 0/1 occupations
- ● An international student in a graduate (master's or doctoral) program
- ● A Canadian citizen or PR who has filed an inland spousal sponsorship application for you
Restrictions Introduced 2024
In 2024, IRCC restricted SOWP eligibility — spouses of undergraduate students and TEER 2/3 workers (except shortage occupations) are no longer eligible in most cases.
Validity
SOWP validity typically matches your spouse's permit duration. For inland sponsorship, SOWP is valid until a decision on the PR application.
Looking for related services? See our full Work Permits overview or all services.
Why Choose Us?
Personalized Assessment
- Understanding your Canadian immigration needs and goals.
- Assessing eligibility across multiple programs.
- Recommending the best pathway for your situation.
- Answering all questions and addressing concerns.
Tailored Approach
- Custom Canadian immigration plan suited to you.
- Clear proposal outlining services and payment structure: 50% before processing, 50% before submission.
- Comprehensive checklist after initial payment.
Application Fulfillment
- Dedicated case manager assigned to your file.
- Strong application prepared within 7–10 business days.
- Review and final approval before submission.
Trusted Partnership
- Kept informed at every stage from submission to decision.
- Ongoing support and guidance until you reach your goals.
- Available for status updates at any time.
Ready to take the next step?
Book a free assessment with our licensed RCIC team. We'll review your case, identify your best pathway, and outline the next steps.
Our Technology Ecosystem
The platform behind Waymark — built in Abbotsford, BC by RCICs, for the way modern immigration practices actually work.
Nova System Inc.
Canadian legal-tech company building modern software for immigration consultants. The team behind Meridian, Polaris, and Aurora.
- ▸Founded in Abbotsford, BC by a practicing RCIC
- ▸Three products serving the full RCIC workflow
- ▸Built on the global edge network
- ▸Encrypted at rest with AES-256-GCM
- ▸CICC-aware trust accounting and RCIC compliance baked in
Meridian
The all-in-one operating system for RCIC firms. Cases, clients, documents, trust accounting, AI, and intake — one connected platform.
- ▸AI-powered CRM for cases, clients, leads, deadlines
- ▸Document automation plus smart checklists per IRCC pathway
- ▸CICC-aware trust accounting and annual report generator
- ▸Per-case AI chat plus global firm AI assistant
- ▸Branded intake forms, client portal, e-signatures
- ▸Real-time IRCC policy and Express Entry draw monitoring
Polaris
The desktop cockpit. A native app that puts your day, your cases, and your AI assistant one click away — built for staff who live in the practice.
- ▸Daily bench view — your day at a glance
- ▸Voice notes and camera capture into cases
- ▸Owner cockpit with firm-wide metrics and approvals
- ▸Compass with in-app help and onboarding
- ▸RCIC approvals queue for L1 staff submissions
- ▸Lock and unlock workstation via mobile passkey
Aurora
The mobile client experience. Clients track their case, upload documents, sign forms, and message their RCIC — from the palm of their hand.
- ▸Live case tracking and processing-time radar
- ▸Multi-page document scan and camera upload
- ▸Secure document viewer and watermarked downloads
- ▸In-house e-signatures and payment receipts
- ▸Eligibility checks, CRS, NOC, travel calculators
- ▸Push notifications and PIPEDA data export and delete
Waymark Immigration runs on the Nova System ecosystem.