IRCC to implement restrictions on family Open Work Permits in January 2025

The government of Canada is now implementing greater restrictions on work permits for family members of international students and foreign workers, after having first announced these changes in September of 2024.

Effective January 21, 2025, family open work permits (OWPs) for international students will be restricted to the spouses or common-law partners of students currently enrolled in

Master’s programs that are 16 months or longer in duration;
Doctoral programs; or
Select professional and eligible programs (listed below).
Prior to this change, a master’s program did not have to be 16 months or longer in duration in order for the student’s spouse to be eligible for a SOWP.

In addition to this, family OWPs for foreign workers will be limited to spouses or common-law partners of those working in

Training Education Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) 0 occupations;
TEER 1 occupations; and
Select TEER 2 or 3 occupations* in:Natural and applied sciences;
Construction;
Healthcare;
Natural resources;
Education;
Sports; and
Military sectors.
*A full list of eligible TEER 2 and 3 occupations will be published by IRCC on January 21, 2025.

For spouses of foreign workers to be eligible under these rules, the foreign worker must have at least 16 months remaining validity on their work permit when their spouse applies.

Dependent children of foreign workers will no longer be eligible for family OWPs.