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Canada to Enforce Restrictions on Family Open Work Permits

Family of immigrants

With effect from January 21, 2025, the Canadian government plans to amend family Open Work Permits (OWPs) for overseas workers and students. These policies, which were initially unveiled in September 2024, are intended to alleviate housing and affordability issues by lowering the nation’s transient population.

Eligibility Changes for International Students

Family OWPs for international students will be restricted to spouses or common-law partners of students enrolled in:

  • Master’s programs lasting 16 months or longer.
  • Doctoral programs.
  • Selected professional and eligible programs, including:
    • Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS/DMD)
    • Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor (LLB, JD, BCL)
    • Doctor of Medicine (MD)
    • Bachelor of Engineering (BEng, BE, BASc)
    • Bachelor of Nursing (BScN, BSN, BN), among others.

Previously, spouses of master’s students were eligible for OWPs regardless of program duration.

Eligibility Changes for Foreign Workers

Family OWPs for foreign workers will be limited to spouses or common-law partners of individuals employed in:

  • Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) 0 and 1 occupations.
  • Select TEER 2 and 3 occupations in fields like healthcare, construction, and education.

The foreign worker’s permit must have at least 16 months of validity remaining for their spouse to apply. Dependent children will no longer qualify for family OWPs.

Broader Immigration Reforms

IRCC is implementing these modifications as part of a larger effort to control the number of temporary residents. Stricter Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility requirements, including language competence standards and field-of-study limitations, are among the reforms. These rules apply to study permits granted after November 1, 2024.
The IRCC estimates that over a three-year period, these actions will cut the number of family OWPs issued by 50,000 to 100,000.

 

Learn more on current state of higher education in Canada in our blog.

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