Big News for Families of Temporary Residents in Canada: Exciting Updates to Work Permit Rules!
The Canadian government has announced major updates to its open work permit (OWP) program for family members of international students and foreign workers. These changes, effective January 21, 2025, aim to create new opportunities while addressing the country’s economic needs. Here’s everything you need to know, broken down in simple terms.
What Are Open Work Permits (OWPs)?
An Open Work Permit (OWP) allows a person to work in Canada for almost any employer without needing a specific job offer. It is a valuable option for family members of temporary residents who want to contribute to Canada’s workforce.
What is a TEER?
TEER stands for “Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities.” It is a classification system used in Canada to categorize jobs based on their skill levels and requirements. TEER is part of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system and is divided into the following levels:
- TEER 0: Management-level roles.
- TEER 1: Jobs requiring a university degree (e.g., professionals like engineers or doctors).
- TEER 2: Roles requiring a college diploma or apprenticeship training (e.g., technicians or supervisors).
- TEER 3: Jobs needing a high school diploma or specialized job training (e.g., cooks or electricians).
This system helps ensure that the right workers fill the right positions in Canada’s labor market.
Key Changes to Open Work Permits
For Families of International Students:
Starting January 21, 2025, OWPs will only be available to the spouses of international students enrolled in:
- Master’s programs lasting 16 months or longer,
- Doctoral programs, or
- Selected professional and eligible programs that meet specific criteria.
For Families of Foreign Workers:
OWPs will now be limited to spouses of foreign workers employed in specific TEER categories:
- TEER 0 or 1 occupations (highly skilled roles such as managers or professionals).
- Selected TEER 2 or 3 occupations in high-demand sectors like:
- Natural and applied sciences
- Construction
- Healthcare
- Natural resources
- Education
- Sports and military
Foreign workers must also meet an additional requirement: their work permit must have at least 16 months of validity remaining when their spouse applies for an OWP.
What About Dependent Children?
Under the new rules, dependent children of foreign workers will no longer qualify for family OWPs. However, they can explore other work permit options available under Canada’s immigration programs.
Renewal and Validity of Current Permits
If you already have an OWP, don’t worry! Permits issued under the old rules will remain valid until they expire. Family members in Canada can also renew their permits if they meet these conditions:
- They are applying under the same criteria as their current permit.
- The renewal period matches the principal applicant’s study or work permit duration.
Who Is Not Affected?
The following groups are not impacted by these changes:
- Spouses of workers covered by free-trade agreements.
- Spouses of workers transitioning to permanent residence.
What If You No Longer Qualify?
If you or your family members no longer qualify for a family OWP, you can still explore other types of work permits under Canada’s immigration programs. These options ensure that everyone has a pathway to contribute to Canada’s economy.
Why These Changes?
These updates are part of Canada’s broader strategy to strengthen its immigration programs and address labor market needs. By focusing on specific occupations and skill levels, the government aims to support sectors facing labor shortages while providing opportunities for qualified individuals.
For complete information about these changes, please visit our nearest ICCC office.
