A PGWP holder (permit valid to June 2026) asked what to do about his wife's spousal open work permit — granted while he was a student, extended 18 months during the labour shortage, and expiring in March 2025 — given newly announced spousal-permit rule changes.
- Existing workers were not the target of the new rules. Members reassured the poster that the rule changes announced at the time applied to incoming students' spouses; a couple already in Canada who both hold valid work permits as workers were not affected. (Historical note: this reflects the 2024–2025 spousal open work permit policy changes — verify current eligibility rules before relying on this.)
- Apply for the extension before expiry — don't wait. The concrete advice: file the spouse's work permit extension within the 90 days before the current permit expires, rather than letting it lapse. Applying before expiry preserves the ability to keep working under maintained status while the extension is processed.