Effective January 21, 2025, the Government of Canada is implementing significant changes to its open work permit (OWP) policies for family members of international students and foreign workers.
Who Will Be Eligible for a Family Open Work Permit?
A) Spouses of International Students pursuing the following programs:
- Master’s programs that are 16 months or longer
- Doctoral programs
- Select professional and other eligible programs (to be defined by IRCC)
B) Spouses of Foreign Workers in skilled occupations as below:
- TEER 0 or 1 occupations (such as management, professional, and technical roles)
- TEER 2 or 3 occupations in labour-shortage sectors or government-prioritized industries, including: Natural and applied sciences; Construction; Health care; Natural resources; Education; and Sports and military sectors
What will be the additional requirements for a Family Open Work Permit?
The foreign worker must have at least 16 months remaining on their work permit when their spouse applies for an OWP.
What will be the impact on existing Open Work Permits?
A) OWPs already issued under previous rules will remain valid until expiry.
B) If a student requires more time to complete their program, or if a family member received a shorter work permit, in-Canada family members may apply for a renewal, provided:
- applying under the same criteria as their current OWP.
- renewal duration matches the principal applicant’s study or work permit.
If you or your family members are affected by these changes, Visaserve Immigration Law PC is here to help. Contact us today at info@visaserve.ca or 905-203-2266 for a consultation to understand your best options
