An international student applied for their spouse's open work permit in September 2023; biometrics and medical were updated on 10 October, then five months of silence. Members unpacked why — and what actually governs these files. (2023–24 context: SOWP rules for students' spouses were tightening; verify current eligibility.)
- Processing time follows the applicant's country of residence. The spouse was living in Dubai — so the relevant published processing time is the UAE's, not India's. One member's spouse applying from Dubai took ~8 months. Check the IRCC processing-time tool with the correct country selected before judging your file 'stuck'.
- Long silences respond to webforms — sometimes. One member's file moved only after they raised a webform asking for an update; it's the standard, no-cost escalation once you're beyond posted times.
- Know the eligibility spine. For a SOWP based on a spouse holding a PGWP, members spelled out what the working spouse must evidence: a TEER-level (skilled) job, an employment letter stating duties and the NOC, and pay slips. If those aren't in the file, the delay may be the least of the problems.
Practical takeaway: before panicking at month five, (a) check processing times against the applicant's actual country of residence, (b) confirm the sponsoring spouse's skilled-work evidence is complete, and (c) raise a webform once you're clearly past the published time.