Canada now offers open study permits to accompanying family members of international students and foreign workers. These special study permits are not tied to a specific Designated Learning Institution (DLI), giving eligible family members the freedom to study at any school of their choice. 

Because these permits are exempt from Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) requirements, they help spouses, partners, and dependent children avoid common barriers such as: 

• Submitting a letter of acceptance (LOA) with their application 
• Paying upfront deposits to secure a spot within a DLI’s student allocation 

This makes it easier for eligible family members to begin their studies in Canada and avoid the impact of the study permit cap. Since the permits are not linked to any province’s allocation system, applicants may study in any province or territory. 
 

Who Qualifies as an Accompanying Family Member? 

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), accompanying family members are individuals included in the principal applicant’s work or study permit application who will come to Canada with them. These include: 

• The spouse of the principal applicant 
• The common-law partner of the principal applicant 
• Dependent children (including dependent children of those children) 

Both the principal applicant’s and spouse’s dependent children are included under this definition. 
 

Conditions to Receive an Open Study Permit 

Accompanying family members can receive an open study permit without providing a letter of acceptance if they meet both of the following conditions: 

They apply for their study permit before entering Canada; and 

They are accompanying a foreign national whose work or study permit has been approved in writing before arrival. 

For example, if a principal applicant receives written approval for their study permit before travelling to Canada, their spouse or partner may apply for an open study permit from outside Canada without needing an LOA from a DLI. 

The open study permit issued to the spouse or partner will be valid until the same expiry date as the principal applicant’s study permit. 
 

How the Process Works: Step-by-Step Example 

Here is a common scenario for an international student and their spouse: 

Step 1: Principal Applicant Applies 

• The main student receives admission to a DLI. 
• They obtain a letter of acceptance (LOA) and, if required, a PAL/TAL. 
• They submit a study permit application from outside Canada. 
• IRCC approves the application in writing and issues a letter of introduction before travel. 

Step 2: Spouse or Partner Applies Before Entering Canada 

• The spouse/common-law partner applies for a study permit from outside Canada. 
• Instead of an LOA, they include: 
– Proof of relationship (marriage certificate or common-law documents) 
– A copy of the principal student’s study permit approval 

Step 3: IRCC Decision 

• If approved, the spouse receives an open study permit. 
• They may apply to a school before arriving or choose to enroll after landing in Canada. 

This reduces upfront costs, since many schools require deposits only from students counted toward their provincial study permit cap. Accompanying family members do not count toward the cap, so deposit requirements may be lower depending on school policy. 
 

What Happens in the Future: Extensions and Changing Schools 

The open study permit exemption applies only once, and only from outside Canada. It does not apply to: 

• Study permit extensions 
• Changing DLIs 
• Changing study levels that require a new permit 
• New applications made from inside Canada 

If an accompanying spouse later needs to extend their study permit or change institutions, they must apply under the standard in-Canada study permit rules. This means they must provide: 

• A valid letter of acceptance from a DLI 
• Any required PAL/TAL (unless another exemption applies) 
• All supporting documents needed for in-Canada study permit applications 

At that stage, the applicant is treated the same as any other student already in Canada. 
 
Final Thoughts 

Open study permits for accompanying family members offer a flexible and accessible way for spouses, partners, and dependent children of foreign workers and students to pursue education in Canada. By removing the LOA and PAL requirements for first-time applications made outside Canada, the process becomes simpler and less costly. However, it is important to understand that the exemption applies only once, and regular rules apply when extending or changing study arrangements later.