Check If Your Spouse Can Work in Canada on Your Study Permit: Master's of 16 Months or More

Short answer: The spouse or common-law partner of a Pakistani student in Canada can get an open work permit only if the student holds a valid study permit and studies in a master's programme of 16 months or longer, a doctoral programme, a listed professional degree, or one of a few named programmes. A bachelor's student does not qualify, according to IRCC.

A couple plans a master's in Canada. One earns, the other studies, and the budget only works if both can work. Then the spouse's work permit is refused because the programme was 12 months long. That is a failure of planning, not paperwork.

We read the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) page "Help your spouse or common-law partner work in Canada" on 14 October 2026. The page was last updated on 3 February 2026. It did not state the fee or processing time in the text we read, so we give neither.

Your programme decides if your partner can work

IRCC lists four routes: a master's programme of 16 months or longer, a doctoral programme, a listed professional degree at a university, or one of a few named programmes. The general rules apply from 21 January 2025. The student must hold a valid study permit.

Check your offer letter for the exact length. A master's that runs 12 or 14 months falls short of the 16 month line, even if the name sounds the same. If it falls short, IRCC says the spouse may be able to apply for a different work permit they qualify for on their own.

What your partner must show

IRCC asks for one of three documents about the student, plus proof of the relationship: a valid letter of acceptance from the designated learning institution, a proof of enrolment letter, or current transcripts. If the student is in a named programme, proof of that too.

For Pakistani couples, the relationship proof is usually a nikah nama and a CNIC or passport showing both names. Our page on how to attest a nikah nama at MOFA for a spouse visa explains the attestation step. IRCC's page said only "proof of the relationship", so ask your visa office whether it wants the attested copy.

The permit usually runs for the same period as the student's study permit. If the study permit is for two years, plan the work permit for two years as well. The application is normally made online, and the IRCC page says fees usually cover the applicant and anyone included on the application.

Paper applications are allowed only if the applicant has a disability or there is an online problem. Otherwise, apply online.

Extensions have their own conditions

To extend, IRCC says the student must have a valid study permit, be a full-time student in a programme eligible for a post-graduation work permit, and not be in the last term. The extension cannot go past the study permit's expiry date.

For an extension you send the school's enrolment letter or current transcripts, plus a copy of the study permit. Do not leave it to the last week. If the student finishes in the next term, your own work permit will not stretch further.

Children are not covered in the part of the page we read. The word "dependent child" appears only in checklist questions, not as an eligibility route. Do not assume a child's status from this guide; ask IRCC.

A planning order that avoids a refusal

Check the programme length first, then the student's permit, then the proof, then apply. Doing it in this order keeps you from paying for a programme or a flight before you know whether your partner can work.

1. Confirm in writing that the master's runs at least 16 months, or that your degree is on the IRCC list.
2. Apply for and receive the student's study permit.
3. Collect the acceptance letter or enrolment letter, and proof of the relationship.
4. Apply online for the open work permit, using the IRCC checklist.
5. Note the end date, and plan the extension before the study permit expires.

Start with the student's own application: our Canada study permit guide for Pakistan lists the documents. If your partner already works in Canada on a permit and wants to study, read when a work permit holder can study without a study permit.

If you plan to settle in Canada later, see how to check Canada Express Entry eligibility. And be careful with agents who guarantee a spouse permit for a fee. Read how to stay safe with study abroad agents before you pay anyone.

Common questions

Can my wife work in Canada if I study a bachelor's?

Not under the open work permit routes on the IRCC page. A bachelor's programme is not on the list. She may qualify for another work permit on her own.

How long must the master's be?

16 months or longer, according to IRCC. Shorter master's programmes are not on the general list.

What proof does my partner need?

One of a letter of acceptance, a proof of enrolment letter or current transcripts, plus proof of the relationship, and proof of an eligible programme if it applies.

How long is the permit valid?

Usually the same period as the student's study permit, according to IRCC.

Can our children come on this permit?

The page we read does not say. Ask IRCC before you plan for children.

How we verified this

What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.

Last checked on 14 October 2026, Pakistan time. We read the IRCC page Help your spouse or common-law partner work in Canada. We could not read the fee, processing time or the rules for children from that page. Confirm them with IRCC before you pay or book travel.