A student whose visa arrived late (pushing their start to a later intake) asked whether to apply now for their spouse's open work permit (SOWP) along with applications for two kids. The thread offered two workable strategies:
- Strategy A — apply for the SOWP immediately after visa stamping. A member who was in the identical situation applied for the spouse and kids right after receiving the stamped passport and got approval, calling it a time-saver. If you land in Canada before the SOWP is decided, you then send the enrollment letter to IRCC via webform once classes begin, so the officer sees you're actively studying.
- Strategy B — land first, then apply. The alternative advice: since the principal applicant is already late, land in Canada first, collect the enrollment letter, open a bank account, get your SIN, and then file the spouse's application with stronger, current documents.
- Either way, tell IRCC about the deferred intake. Members stressed uploading the new letter of acceptance via webform as soon as the college issues it, and confirming the college has granted the deferral/late-joining approval in writing.
- Know what an enrollment letter is: it's issued by the college only after you've started classes (online or in person) — different from the LOA, and it's the document that anchors a post-landing SOWP.
The thread leaned toward Strategy A (file now, supplement later) as the faster path for the family to reunite.