Changes to Open Work Permit Eligibility for Family Members of Temporary Foreign Workers in Canada

By Nicole Hartle

As of January 21, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (“IRCC”) will implement changes to the eligibility criteria for open work permits (“OWP”) for family members of international students and temporary foreign workers (“TFW”).

THE NEW RULES

Under the new rules, family OWPs will be restricted to the spouses of certain international students and TFWs. Dependent children of TFWs will no longer be eligible for an OWP. Further, OWPs previously approved under the old eligibility criteria will remain valid until such time as they expire, and there are other limited circumstances where renewals may be permitted.

For TFWs, an OWP will only be available to spouses of individuals employed in:

• TEER 0 or 1 occupations; or
• Certain TEER 2 or 3 occupations in sectors facing labor shortages or linked to government priorities (natural and applied sciences, construction, healthcare, natural resources, education, sports, and military sectors).

…Read the full article here: Changes to Open Work Permit Eligibility for Family Members of Temporary Foreign Workers in Canada