If you are sponsoring your spouse or common-law partner from inside Canada, one of the most important benefits available is the opportunity to apply for an open work permit while the permanent residence application is in process. This can help couples avoid financial stress, maintain stability, and build a life together while waiting for a decision.
Here is what you need to know about spousal open work permits in 2025.
Family Separation and Mental Health Strain
One of the most painful consequences of processing delays is the separation of loved ones. In spousal sponsorship cases, for example, applicants may remain apart from their partner for over a year or more—often with little communication from IRCC. Children can be left waiting abroad while one parent tries to establish permanent residency in Canada.
This kind of prolonged separation takes a toll on mental health. Stress, anxiety, and feelings of helplessness are common among applicants whose cases appear to be stalled. For many families, there is no clear timeline to plan around, making it difficult to maintain relationships or routines.
Missed Employment and Career Setbacks
Many skilled workers and international graduates are caught in limbo while waiting for work permits, permanent residence, or post-graduation status. When processing delays prevent someone from starting a job, renewing a work permit, or securing PR before a promotion or contract renewal, the cost is often more than just time—it’s lost income and stalled professional growth.
In competitive fields such as tech, healthcare, or finance, employers may not be able to hold a position indefinitely. Some applicants lose job offers because they cannot confirm when their status will be resolved.
Interrupted Education and Uncertainty for Students
Study permit extensions and initial approvals have also faced delays. International students waiting on decisions may be forced to defer admission, withdraw from courses, or lose eligibility for on-campus employment. Delays also affect eligibility for post-graduation work permits (PGWPs), which are time-sensitive and linked to continuous legal status.
Legal and Financial Vulnerability
Applicants with expiring permits or implied status face difficult decisions. Some are unsure whether to leave Canada, while others remain hoping for a last-minute decision. Those without health coverage, employment eligibility, or a legal right to travel experience significant insecurity.
Extended delays also lead to increased costs—paying for repeated medical exams, renewing police certificates, or legal representation to chase updates or pursue court action. These are not minor inconveniences. For many families, the financial burden is significant.
What Can Be Done
If your immigration case has stalled beyond expected processing times, it’s important to act:
- Request GCMS notes to understand the file’s status
- Submit inquiries through the webform or your Member of Parliament
- Explore legal remedies, including mandamus applications in the Federal Court to be handled by a qualified immigration lawyer
Supporting You Through the Process
At Elliott Immigration Corporation, we understand that an immigration delay is not just a procedural matter—it’s a personal one. We advocate for our clients with persistence and clarity, helping to push files forward and protect your goals in Canada.
If you are experiencing a delay that is affecting your family, career, or legal status, we are here to help.
Elliott Immigration Corporation is Here to Help You
