There's no single fixed waiting period before sponsoring your spouse's open work permit (SOWP) while on a study permit — it depends on being able to demonstrate you're genuinely settled and studying.
- A commonly cited benchmark is around 6 months into your program before applying for a SOWP for your spouse — this isn't a hard legal rule, but reflects enough time to build supporting evidence.
- Have your first semester's results available. Completed grades show you're actively enrolled and progressing, which supports the credibility of the file.
- Include pay slips if you're working part-time under your study permit's work authorization, since employment history further demonstrates an established life in Canada.
- Build the file around proof, not just time elapsed. The waiting period matters less than having concrete documentation (grades, pay slips, proof of enrollment) ready to support the application.
In short: the right time to apply is when you can back the application with solid evidence of genuine study and settlement, which for many people takes roughly a semester.