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IRCC to Introduce New Restrictions on Family Open Work Permits in January 2025

Family Open Work Permits

The Government of Canada has announced that starting January 21, 2025, stricter rules will be applied to family Open Work Permits (OWPs) for the spouses and family members of international students and foreign workers. These changes, initially revealed in September 2024, aim to address concerns surrounding housing supply and the rising number of temporary residents.

Changes for International Students’ Families

Effective January 21, 2025, spouses or common-law partners of international students will only qualify for family OWPs if the student is enrolled in one of the following programs:

  1. Master’s programs lasting 16 months or longer.
  2. Doctoral programs.
  3. Select professional and eligible programs, including:
    • 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)
    • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN, BSN)
    • Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc)
    • Bachelor of Nursing (BN)
    • Bachelor of Education (BEd)
    • Bachelor of Engineering (BEng, BE, BASc)

Additionally, some programs in specific provinces and territories will still allow spouses of students to qualify for family OWPs. These include:

Province/TerritoryProgram NameEligibility Period
Outside QuebecFrancophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP)From August 26, 2024
QuebecLe projet de reconnaissance des compétences d’infirmières et d’infirmiers recrutés à l’internationalFrom April 30, 2024
OntarioSupervised Practice Experience PartnershipFrom January 21, 2025
ManitobaNurse Re-Entry (Red River College Polytechnic)From January 21, 2025
British Columbia– Internationally Educated Midwives Bridging Program (UBC)




Changes for Foreign Workers’ Families

For foreign workers, family OWPs will now only be available to the spouses or common-law partners of those employed in:

  1. TEER 0 and TEER 1 occupations under the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
  2. Select TEER 2 and TEER 3 occupations in:
    • Natural and applied sciences.
    • Construction.
    • Healthcare.
    • Natural resources.
    • Education.
    • Sports.
    • Military sectors.

A full list of eligible TEER 2 and 3 occupations will be published by IRCC on January 21, 2025.

Additional eligibility criteria include:

  • The foreign worker must have at least 16 months of validity remaining on their work permit at the time their spouse applies for an OWP.
  • Dependent children of foreign workers will no longer be eligible for family OWPs.

Renewal of Existing Family OWPs

Family OWPs issued under previous policies will remain valid until their expiration date. Spouses and dependent children can apply for renewals, provided their work permit durations align with the sponsoring study or work permit holder.

Exemptions

Spouses and common-law partners covered by Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and those being sponsored for permanent residence (PR) by their Canadian partners will not be affected by these changes.

Part of Broader Immigration Reforms

The new restrictions on family OWPs are part of a broader reform package introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in 2024. These measures are designed to reduce the number of temporary residents in Canada and address issues related to housing supply and affordability.

IRCC expects the new policies to result in:

  • A 50,000 reduction in family OWPs issued to international students’ spouses over three years.
  • A 100,000 reduction in family OWPs for foreign workers’ spouses over the same period.

Impact on Work Permit Programs

Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan 2025-2027 includes updated targets for work permits under the International Mobility Program (IMP) and Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP):

Work Permit Type202520262027
IMP285,750128,700155,700
TFWP82,00082,00082,000

Advantages of Open Work Permits

Open Work Permits (OWPs) are highly sought after because they allow holders to work for any employer in Canada without the restrictions tied to closed or LMIA-based work permits. However, with these new changes, IRCC is limiting access to OWPs to better manage the influx of temporary residents.

For personalized advice on how these changes could impact your family’s immigration plans, contact Skynet Immigration for a free consultation. Our team, led by RCIC Salekur Rahman, is here to guide you through these evolving policies and find the best pathway for you.

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