Changes to Open Work Permits for Family Members of Temporary Residents

Ottawa, January 14, 2025 – The Government of Canada is implementing updates to open work permits (OWP) for family members of international students and foreign workers, aligning with broader changes announced in September 2024. These changes aim to strengthen program integrity while addressing economic and labour market needs.

Effective January 21, 2025, eligibility for family OWPs will be restricted to spouses of:

International students enrolled in:

• Master’s programs of 16 months or longer
• Doctoral programs
• Select professional and eligible programs

Foreign workers employed in:

• TEER 0 or 1 occupations
• Select TEER 2 or 3 occupations in priority sectors, including health care, construction, and education

Key Updates:

Foreign workers must have at least 16 months remaining on their work permit for their spouse to qualify for an OWP.
Dependent children of foreign workers are no longer eligible for family OWPs.
Previously approved OWPs will remain valid. Extensions are possible under existing criteria.
Spouses of workers covered by free-trade agreements and those transitioning to permanent residence are unaffected by these changes.

The full list of eligible occupations and programs will be available on January 21, 2025.

For further information or assistance with your application, contact Ghasedak Immigration Services at +1 647 409 2220.