Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will enforce new restrictions on family open work permits (OWPs) for international students and foreign workers, starting January 21, 2025. These measures are part of a broader initiative to manage temporary resident numbers and address housing supply and affordability issues.
Effective January 21, 2025, spouses or common-law partners of international students will only be eligible for OWPs if the student is enrolled in:
- Master’s programs of 16 months or longer;
- Doctoral programs; or
- Select professional and eligible programs, including Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS/DMD), Bachelor of Engineering (BEng), and others.
Previously, master’s programs of any duration qualified spouses for an OWP, making this a significant change for international students planning their studies in Canada.
Eligibility for spouses or common-law partners of foreign workers will be limited to those in:
- TEER 0 and TEER 1 occupations;
- Select TEER 2 and 3 occupations in fields such as healthcare, construction, natural sciences, education, and sports.
A comprehensive list of eligible TEER 2 and 3 occupations will be published by IRCC on January 21, 2025. Furthermore, foreign workers must have at least 16 months of validity remaining on their work permit for their spouse to apply.
Dependent children of foreign workers will no longer qualify for family OWPs under the new rules.
OWPs issued before these changes will remain valid. In-Canada family members can apply to renew their permits as long as the duration of the renewal matches the sponsoring permit holder’s validity.
Announcing the changes, Immigration Minister Marc Miller highlighted the need to limit family OWPs to better manage the number of temporary residents and reduce the strain on housing and infrastructure. “These reforms reflect a balanced approach to immigration, prioritizing affordability and the long-term prosperity of our communities,” said Minister Miller.
The changes to family OWPs align with IRCC’s strategic objectives to reduce temporary resident numbers under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and International Mobility Program (IMP). Targets for work permit landings under these programs for 2025–2027 include:
| Work Permit Type | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Mobility Program (IMP) | 285,750 | 128,700 | 155,700 |
| Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) | 82,000 | 82,000 | 82,000 |
| Total | 367,750 | 210,700 | 237,700 |
IRCC has also implemented stricter eligibility criteria for PGWPs based on the field of study and language proficiency. For applications submitted after November 1, 2024, students must meet additional field of study requirements, particularly for non-university and college programs.
Open work permits remain a highly sought-after immigration pathway, offering flexibility to work across Canada without employer restrictions. However, these changes aim to ensure a balanced immigration system that supports both newcomers and Canadian communities.
For more details on the updated policies and program guidelines, visit IRCC’s official website.