The Government of Canada has announced stricter regulations on work permits for family members of international students and foreign workers, set to take effect on January 21, 2025.
Family Open Work Permits will now be restricted to the spouses or common-law partners of international students enrolled in the following programs:
Eligible programs are listed below.
Master’s programs lasting 16 months or more
Doctoral programs
Previously, spouses of students in shorter master’s programs were also eligible for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP). This eligibility has now been revoked.
Family OWPs for Foreign Workers
OWPs for foreign workers’ spouses or common-law partners will be limited to those working in TEER 0 and TEER 1 occupations. Additionally, it will also include selective occupations in TEER 2 or 3 such as:-
- Natural and applied sciences
- Construction
- Healthcare
- Natural resources
- Education
- Sports
- Military sectors
Note: Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will publish a complete list of eligible TEER 2 and 3 occupations on January 21, 2025.
Additional Restrictions
The two additional restrictions on Open Work Permits are as follows:-
- The foreign worker must have at least 16 months of validity remaining on their work permit at the time of the spouse’s application.
- Dependent children of foreign workers are no longer eligible for family OWPs.
