published on 31 January 2025 @ 3:47 pm · COMMENT

Changes to Open Work Permit Eligibility for Family Members of International Students and Foreign Workers

Effective January 21, 2025, the Government of Canada has introduced new eligibility criteria for open work permits (OWPs) for family members of international students and foreign workers.

Under the new rules, only the spouses of certain international students and foreign workers will be eligible to apply for an OWP. Dependent children of foreign workers will no longer qualify. However, any OWPs issued under previous regulations will remain valid until their expiration.

For international students, spouses will only be eligible for an OWP if the principal applicant is enrolled in a master’s program lasting at least 16 months, a doctoral program, or a designated professional program.

For foreign workers, spouses may apply for an OWP if the principal applicant is employed in a TEER 0 or 1 occupation or in a select TEER 2 or 3 occupation identified as essential due to labour shortages or government priorities. These occupations include fields such as natural and applied sciences, construction, health care, natural resources, education, sports, and the military.

Additionally, foreign workers must have at least 16 months remaining on their work permit when their spouse applies for an OWP.

For families already in Canada, work permit renewals remain possible under certain conditions. For example, if an international student requires additional time to complete their program, or if a family member initially received a shorter work permit than the principal applicant, they may apply for a renewal. In these cases, the renewal must meet the same eligibility criteria as the original permit, and the new permit’s duration must align with the validity of the principal applicant’s study or work permit.

Spouses of foreign workers covered by free-trade agreements and those transitioning to permanent residence will not be affected by the above changes, and family members who no longer qualify for a family OWP may explore other work permit options under Canada’s immigration programs.

filed under: IMMIGRATIONPERMANENT RESIDENCE