Spouses, partners, and dependent children who accompany an international student or foreign worker can get open study permits that are not tied to a specific DLI and are PAL-exempt. This means they do not need:
- A letter of acceptance
- A tuition deposit to secure a spot under a provincial cap
They can study at any school in any province and do not count toward Canada’s study permit cap.
Eligibility
A family member can apply without an LOA only if:
- They apply before entering Canada
- Their spouse or parent’s study or work permit is approved in writing before arrival
How it works
The principal applicant gets their permit approved first. The spouse or partner then submits their study permit application from outside Canada with:
- Proof of relationship
- A copy of the principal applicant’s approval
If approved, they receive an open study permit valid until the same expiry as the principal applicant’s permit.
Short example
If your spouse’s study permit is approved before coming to Canada, you can apply for your own study permit from outside Canada without getting an LOA. IRCC issues an open study permit with no DLI listed, and you can choose your school after arriving.
Fewer Early Expenses
Holding an open study permit lowers initial expenses because you don’t need to secure a seat at a DLI before applying. Regular students often must pay a deposit first so the school can request a PAL and reserve their spot under the cap. Accompanying family members skip this step entirely, so they avoid that early deposit and can choose their school later.
Important
This exemption applies only once, for the first permit issued from outside Canada. For any future extensions or school changes inside Canada, the family member must follow the regular process and provide a valid LOA and, if required, a PAL or TAL.
