The Canada Spouse Visa New Rules came into effect on January 21, 2025, to keep some limit on the number of residents, meaning temporary residents, while also bringing laws into line with labor market demands.
The reason the Canada Spouse Visa New Rules were introduced is due to the eligibility issues, where, according to the old rules of the Canada spouse visa, most applicants are not eligible under the criteria.
In this situation, a large number of applicants will need to exercise caution and follow to the new guidelines while compiling their paperwork well in advance. Beyond eligibility, other changes have been made to documentation, deadlines, and how the IRCC evaluates work under the TEER System.
Canada Spouse Visa New Rules 2025
The SPOUSE VISA CANADA enables citizens, permanent residents, and certain temporary residents of Canada to sponsor their legally married or common-law partners for permanent residence or temporary work authorization. Under this program, a foreign spouse can live and work in Canada while awaiting processing of a permanent residence submission.
The SPOUSAL OPEN WORK PERMIT is the primary way that sponsored spouses can start working legally. The 2025 updates limit eligibility to specific worker categories and advanced academic programs, in turn ensuring family reunification while appropriately managing immigration levels.
New Rules for Spouse Visa in Canada Overview
| Name of Department | Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada |
| Program Name | Spouse Visa / Spousal Open Work Permit |
| Country | Canada |
| Permanent Sponsorship Fee | CAD 1050 |
| SOWP Fee | CAD 255 |
| Biometrics Fee | CAD 85 |
| Processing Time | Varies depending on application type and completeness |
| Main Benefits | Legal residence, work permit, family reunification |
| Category | News |
| Official Website | https://www.canada.ca/ |
Why Canada Spouse Visa Rules Are Important
Understand the current SPOUSE VISA CANADA rules that couples should know before moving to Canada. Changes have been made in the timelines and opportunities concerning job markets, as well as other ways of entering immigration, as per the revisions in the rules.
Applicants get better prepared by being aware of the changes and associated fees, avoiding delay, and prioritizing which way might be better sponsorship or a SPOUSAL OPEN WORK PERMIT to keep families united.
Eligibility Criteria for Canada Spouse Visa
Under the previously mentioned modifications to the Spouse VISA Canada and eligibility for the Spousal Open Work Permit 2025, spouses of foreign workers are typically the only ones eligible under two categories:
- If the work is in a TEER 0 or TEER 1 occupation or in a specific TEER 2 or 3 role as a labor-shortage or priority sector (applied sciences, healthcare, or construction).
- The foreign worker’s permit must still have at least 16 months remaining at the time of the spouse’s application.
- Foreign Student Spouse Eligibility Criteria: Only Master’s Degree Program (16 months and above) or PhD Programs or certain selected professional programs like medicine, engineering, law, etc.
- Open work permits will not be granted to dependent children of foreign workers, except for those who apply with their families for permanent resident status.
- However, there may be a few exceptions for spouses under some free trade agreements or currently processing for permanent residence.
- Many more respondents include: eligible candidates for foreign student spouses are those pursuing master’s degree programs (16 months and above) or PhDs, or selected professional programs such as medicine, engineering, or law.
- no longer available open work permits for children of foreign nationals. This, however, does not apply to those who apply with their family for permanent resident status.
There are few exceptions for spouses under specific free trade agreements or already processing for permanent residence.
Payment Schedule for the Canada Spouse Visa 2025
For the SPOUSE VISA CANADA, there is no individual “visa fee” apart from the normal sponsorship cost. This will apply to individuals applying for a SPOUSAL OPEN WORK PERMIT, and the usual IRCC fees apply. Payments shall be made online when applying. One needs to pay the sponsorship fees first, and afterward any work permit or biometrics fees as requested by IRCC.
Here are the payment details, when to pay, cost, and type of fee details for the Canada spouse visa rules 2025:
| Fee Type | Approximate cost CAD | When Payable |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent Sponsorship fee | 1,050 | At the sponsorship application |
| Spousal Open Work permit fee | 255 | When applying for SOWP |
| Biometrics Fee | 85 | With Submission/Request |
| Medical/Police/Other Documents | Varies by country | During processing |
Latest Updates on Canada Spouse Visa New Rules 2025
21 January 2025: Regarding qualifying for a SPOUSAL OPEN WORK PERMIT, the IRCC formally established strict new guidelines. Both the spouses of temporary foreign workers and their international students will be impacted by this.
The media has disseminated the updated information on the priority occupations for TEER 2 and 3 from the fields of applied sciences, construction, health care, and education.
However, under a previous regulation, licenses have not yet been issued, and all applications submitted before January 21, 2025, will be decided under the old procedures.
In 2025-2026, the IRCC intends to decrease the number of temporary residents and concentrate on labor market demands while allowing for family reunions through the sponsorship of SPOUSE VISA CANADA.
FAQs
When did the New Rules for Canada Spouse Visas proceed to effect?
On January 21, 2025, they proceeded to effect.
What if i am enrolled in Bachelors Program, can my spouse in Canada?
No, the only people who can qualify are spouses of master’s, doctoral, or qualified professional students.
Do dependent children of foreign workers now qualify for open work permits?
No, unless there is an rare instance where the family is moving to a permanent house.
