IRCC updated its program-delivery instructions on 4 March, with the changes highlighted in a 8 March practitioner bulletin, to clarify when spouses or common-law partners of study-permit holders can obtain open work permits under code C42 of the International Mobility Program. The principal student must no longer be in the final academic term, and officers will now check program lengths and a new list of eligible study programs before issuing permits or extensions.
The tweak aims to curb perceived misuse of the spousal open-work stream, which saw issuances rise 38 % between 2022 and 2025. Mobility advisers for multinational firms should note that spouses extending status must now provide proof the student remains actively enrolled and not merely completing capstone courses.
![IRCC tightens rules for spouses of international students seeking open work permits]()
For organizations or families needing assistance with these adjusted requirements, VisaHQ offers end-to-end support for Canadian immigration filings, including spousal open-work and study-permit applications. Their online portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) provides real-time checklist management, document review, and courier options, helping applicants avoid refusals and keep projects on schedule.
Applications already submitted before 4 March will be assessed under the previous guidelines, but extension requests filed after that date must meet the new criteria. Processing officers have been instructed to refuse cases where the student is in the final term, unless exceptional circumstances apply.
The update could lengthen lead times for family accompaniment planning and may influence where corporations place international students on co-op or internship streams that feed into permanent talent pipelines. HR teams should verify enrolment letters and program-length evidence before filing any C42 applications.
The tweak aims to curb perceived misuse of the spousal open-work stream, which saw issuances rise 38 % between 2022 and 2025. Mobility advisers for multinational firms should note that spouses extending status must now provide proof the student remains actively enrolled and not merely completing capstone courses.
For organizations or families needing assistance with these adjusted requirements, VisaHQ offers end-to-end support for Canadian immigration filings, including spousal open-work and study-permit applications. Their online portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) provides real-time checklist management, document review, and courier options, helping applicants avoid refusals and keep projects on schedule.
Applications already submitted before 4 March will be assessed under the previous guidelines, but extension requests filed after that date must meet the new criteria. Processing officers have been instructed to refuse cases where the student is in the final term, unless exceptional circumstances apply.
The update could lengthen lead times for family accompaniment planning and may influence where corporations place international students on co-op or internship streams that feed into permanent talent pipelines. HR teams should verify enrolment letters and program-length evidence before filing any C42 applications.
