A prospective master's student asked how bringing her husband on a spousal open work permit would actually play out — entry timing, his work rights, approval odds, and what happens to tuition if his visa is refused.
What members answered (2022–23 era; spouse-work-permit eligibility rules have since been tightened by IRCC, so treat specifics as historical):
- Spouse work rights are the easy part. The spouse on a SOWP can work full-time. The student is limited to about 20 hours/week during semesters under normal rules (a temporary COVID-era policy allowing students full-time work was a time-bound exception).
- No tuition refund if only the spouse is refused. The direct warning: if the student's visa is approved but the spouse's is declined, the university will not refund tuition on that basis. Budget for that risk before paying a full year upfront.
- Joint approval depends on the combined file's strength. Members noted spouse visas do get refused when the combined application looks weak — several reported consultants and recent cases where accompanying-spouse files drew extra scrutiny.
- The lower-risk sequencing many suggested: student applies alone first, spouse applies for the open work permit after the student has arrived and enrolled. This splits the risk — though it means months apart, and other members noted couples do successfully apply together under SDS where both are filed at once.
The practical decision: apply together if the combined profile (funds, ties, purpose) is strong; sequence the applications if either half looks marginal, and never pay non-refundable fees assuming both visas will come.