The Government of Canada is implementing new restrictions on open work permits for family members of international students and foreign workers. These changes, announced in September last year, will take effect on January 21, 2025.
These changes introduce significant restrictions that affect many families relying on open work permits. Planning is crucial, especially for those studying or working in Canada under the affected categories.
Changes to Family Open Work Permits for International Students
Under the new rules, family open work permits (OWPs) will be limited to the spouses or common-law partners of students enrolled in specific eligible programs. These conditions come up with additional requirements (a part of these changes was first announced back in March 2024):
| Educational Programs | Additional Requirements |
| Master’s programs | Must be at least 16 months long. |
| Doctoral programs | No additional requirements. |
| Selected professional and eligible programs | Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS, DMD) Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor (LLB, JD, BCL) Doctor of Medicine (MD) Doctor of Optometry (OD) Pharmacy: PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Nursing Degrees: BScN, BSN, BNSc, BN Bachelor of Education (BEd) Engineering Degrees: BEng, BE, BASc |
Previously, a Master’s program didn’t need to be 16 months or longer for the student’s spouse to qualify for a spousal open work permit (SOWP). Now, this new duration requirement narrows eligibility significantly.
The spousal open work permit brings a lot of benefits for its bearer. One does not need to have to be concerned about their job/work while waiting for the authorization of the spousal sponsorship. Furthermore, they may be eligible to work in any region of Canada.
Restrictions for Family OWPs of Foreign Workers
For foreign workers, family OWPs will now be restricted to spouses or common-law partners working in specific occupations categorized by the Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) system. The eligible occupations are as follows:
| TEER Category | Eligible Fields |
| TEER 0 and TEER 1 | All occupations. |
| Select TEER 2 and TEER 3 | – Natural and applied sciences |
| – Construction | |
| – Healthcare | |
| – Natural resources | |
| – Education | |
| – Sports and military sectors |
IRCC will release a complete list of eligible TEER 2 and TEER 3 occupations on January 21, 2025.
Additional Requirements:
- The foreign worker’s permit must have at least 16 months of validity when their spouse applies.
- Dependent children of foreign workers will no longer qualify for family OWPs.
Exemptions: Who Is Not Affected?
The following groups are not impacted by these new rules:
- Spouses and common-law partners of workers covered by Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
- Spouses or common-law partners sponsored for Permanent Residence (PR): They can continue applying for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) if they have legal temporary status in Canada.
Renewal of Existing Work Permits
Good news for those with existing OWPs:
- Validity Remains: OWPs issued under the previous policies will remain valid until their expiration.
- Renewals Allowed: In cases where a spouse received a shorter work permit than the sponsoring permit holder, they can apply to renew it. The renewal must match the duration of the sponsor’s study or work permit.