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SDS study permit with spouse open work permit: funds and relationship-proof checklist

Canada • Study Permit • study 0 views
By VisaBuddies Communityvia community — compiled from public visa forums

Documents Needed

  • First-year tuition fee receipt

    Full first-year fee paid is expected for SDS.

  • GIC certificate

    GIC sized to cover applicant and accompanying spouse (thread example: CAD 14,250 for both).

  • CA report on properties

    Include the actual property certificates alongside the chartered accountant valuation report.

  • Bank balance and fixed deposits

    Liquid funds in the spouse's name plus FDs strengthen the financial picture.

  • Sponsorship affidavit + sponsor's bank statements and ITR

    3 months of statements and 2 years of income-tax returns from the sponsoring relative.

  • Marriage certificate and photos

    Marriage and post-marriage photos as relationship evidence.

  • Child birth certificate

    Additional relationship proof if applicable.

Step-by-Step

This checklist covers an SDS study-permit application filed together with a spouse's open work permit.

What group members advised:
  1. The document set above was considered strong — both financially and for home ties. One addition suggested: attach the property title certificates themselves, not only the CA valuation report.

  2. Filing spouse and student together is debated. Some members believe joint filing lowers approval odds and suggested the main applicant secure the study permit first, then invite the spouse after reaching Canada. Others pushed back that there is no official IRCC statement supporting this. Treat it as anecdotal group opinion, not a rule — decide based on your risk tolerance and timelines.

  3. Relationship proof should be layered: marriage certificate, marriage and post-marriage photos, and a child's birth certificate together make the relationship hard to question.


The practical takeaway: the fund stack (paid fees, GIC covering both, liquid savings, FDs, sponsor affidavit with statements and ITRs) plus layered relationship evidence covers what officers look for; the open question is whether to file the spouse's application together or after landing.

Dos, Don'ts & Tips

  • Do: Attach property title certificates along with the CA valuation report.
  • Tip: Some members report lower success rates for joint student + spouse filings and prefer applying for the study permit first, then sponsoring the spouse — this is group anecdote, not published IRCC policy.
  • Do: Layer relationship evidence: marriage certificate, photos from and after the wedding, and children's birth certificates.

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