Understanding the Changes to Open Work Permits (OWP) for Families of International Students and Foreign Workers in 2025

On January 14, 2025, the Government announced that it is continuing to strengthen the integrity of our temporary resident programs. Anticipated measures announced in September 2024 regarding changes to Open Work Permits eligibility for family members of international students and foreign workers will be implemented effective January 21, 2025.

What is changing?

For international students

OWPs will be limited to spouses of students who are enrolled in

  • master’s programs that are 16 months or longer
  • doctoral programs, or
  • select professional and eligible programs, such as:

Spouses or common-law partners of students at the master’s or doctoral level in the following programs will be eligible to receive OWP:

    • 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); and
    • Bachelor of Engineering (BEng, BE, BASc).

Details of eligible programs may be located here.

For foreign workers of PGWP or Employer Specific Work Permits

The changes to Open Work Permits will make spouses of foreign workers eligible for an OWP only if the worker is employed in:

  • TEER 0 or 1 occupations, or
  • select TEER 2 or 3 occupations in sectors with labour shortages or linked to government priorities
  • These include occupations in:
    • natural and applied sciences
    • construction
    • health care
    • natural resources
    • education
    • sports and military sectors. 

For more information on TEER classifications, refer to our post on Top 5 Common Mistakes in Express Entry Applications.

Instructions and the full list are now available as of January 21, 2025.

Spouses will only qualify if the primary applicant meets the updated conditions. Also, the foreign worker must have at least 16 months remaining on their work permit when their spouse applies for the OWP.

Dependent children of foreign workers will no longer be eligible for an OWP. Please note that these changes refer only to the work permits.  Dependent children will be able to apply for a study permit or visitor record.

To learn more about study permits, check out Study Permits/Visas.

The following applicants are not affected

OWPs approved under the previous measures and have not expired will remain valid. In the event that students might require more time to complete their program of studies, in-Canada family members are eligible to apply to renew their work permit if:

  1. they are applying under the same criteria as their current work permit, and
  2. the renewed document will match the duration of the existing study or work permit of the principal applicant

These changes to Open Work Permits will not impact the spouses of workers:

  • under free-trade agreements 
  • spouses or common-law partners who are being sponsored under the spousal sponsorship category, or 
  • those transitioning to permanent residence. 

The Steps You Should Take:

  1. Remain informed and understand the changes to Open Work Permits criteria.
  2. Seek professional assistance, as immigration rules are constantly evolving and can be complex. Immigration officers now scrutinize applications more closely than ever, making it crucial to get everything right the first time.

Canada remains dedicated to family reunification, but adapting to consistent changes will require thoughtful planning. 

If you have any questions or require assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you understand your options and guide you in planning your next steps.

These changes are yet another example of a return to pre-COVID policies. 

Disclaimer: This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to the official IRCC website and seek advice from legal professionals. Milmantas Immigration Services disclaims any liability for actions taken by you based on the information provided in this blog.