A student received a Study Permit approval for a January 2024 intake but had not applied for his wife's visa at the same time, despite being married for 4 years. He asked whether he could still apply for his wife's Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) separately, before traveling, so they could travel together.
What the thread clarified:- Yes, you can apply for your spouse's SOWP separately, even after your own study permit has already been approved — the applications don't have to be submitted together.
- SOWP processing rules had recently been relaxed at the time of this thread, cutting typical processing from the previous 12–18 months down to around 2–3 months. IRCC was not expected to question why the applications weren't submitted together, as long as proper supporting documentation (proof of marriage, relationship, and the principal applicant's study permit) is provided.
The practical takeaway: applying separately for a spouse's SOWP after your own study permit is approved is a normal, accepted path — just make sure your documentation clearly establishes the relationship and links to your approved study permit. Always check IRCC's current processing times, since these can shift.