The Canadian government is set to implement stricter rules for family members of international students and foreign workers seeking Open Work Permits (OWPs). Initially announced in September 2024, these policy changes will officially take effect on January 21, 2025.
Under the updated regulations, family OWPs will be limited to spouses or common-law partners of international students enrolled in specific academic programs, which include:
- Master’s programs lasting 16 months or longer
- Doctoral programs
- Selected professional programs (a detailed list is provided below)
This policy change means that spouses of international students enrolled in master’s programs with durations less than 16 months will no longer be eligible for OWPs, marking a significant tightening of the eligibility criteria.
In addition for foreign workers, family OWPs will now only be available to the spouses or common-law partners of individuals employed in:
- TEER 0 occupations (managerial roles)
- TEER 1 occupations (jobs requiring a university degree)
- Certain TEER 2 and TEER 3 occupations within key sectors, such as:
- Healthcare
- Education
- Natural resources
- Construction
- Sports
- Military
- Natural and applied sciences
Eligible Occupations for Spousal Open Work Permit
Select High-Skilled Occupations in TEER 2
- 22100 – Chemical Technologists and Technicians
- 22101 – Geological and Mineral Technologists and Technicians
- 22110 – Biological Technologists and Technicians
- 22111 – Agricultural and Fish Products Inspectors
- 22112 – Forestry Technologists and Technicians
- 22113 – Conservation and Fishery Officers
- 22114 – Landscape and Horticulture Technicians and Specialists
- 22210 – Architectural Technologists and Technicians
- 22211 – Industrial Designers
- 22212 – Drafting Technologists and Technicians
- 22213 – Land Survey Technologists and Technicians
- 22214 – Technical Occupations in Geomatics and Meteorology
- 22220 – Computer Network and Web Technicians
- 22221 – User Support Technicians
- 22222 – Information Systems Testing Technicians
- 22230 – Non-Destructive Testers and Inspectors
- 22231 – Engineering Inspectors and Regulatory Officers
- 22232 – Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
- 22233 – Construction Inspectors
- 22300 – Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- 22301 – Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- 22302 – Industrial Engineering and Manufacturing Technologists and Technicians
- 22303 – Construction Estimators
- 22310 – Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- 22311 – Electronic Service Technicians (Household and Business Equipment)
- 22312 – Industrial Instrument Technicians and Mechanics
- 22313 – Aircraft Instrument, Electrical and Avionics Mechanics, Technicians, and Inspectors
- 32100 – Opticians
- 32101 – Licensed Practical Nurses
- 32102 – Paramedical Occupations
- 32103 – Respiratory Therapists, Clinical Perfusionists, and Cardiopulmonary Technologists
- 32104 – Animal Health Technologists and Veterinary Technicians
- 32109 – Other Technical Occupations in Therapy and Assessment
- 32110 – Denturists
- 32111 – Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists
- 32112 – Dental Technologists and Technicians
- 32120 – Medical Laboratory Technologists
- 32121 – Medical Radiation Technologists
- 32122 – Medical Sonographers
- 32123 – Cardiology Technologists and Electrophysiological Diagnostic Technologists
- 32124 – Pharmacy Technicians
- 32129 – Other Medical Technologists and Technicians
- 32200 – Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists
- 32201 – Massage Therapists
- 32209 – Other Practitioners of Natural Healing
- 42102 – Specialized Members of the Canadian Armed Forces
- 42202 – Early Childhood Educators and Assistants
- 72010 – Contractors and Supervisors, Machining, Metal Forming, Shaping, and Erecting Trades and Related Occupations
- 72011 – Contractors and Supervisors, Electrical Trades and Telecommunications Occupations
- 72012 – Contractors and Supervisors, Pipefitting Trades
- 72013 – Contractors and Supervisors, Carpentry Trades
- 72014 – Contractors and Supervisors, Other Construction Trades, Installers, Repairers, and Servicers
- 72020 – Contractors and Supervisors, Mechanic Trades
- 72021 – Contractors and Supervisors, Heavy Equipment Operator Crews
- 72022 – Supervisors, Printing and Related Occupations
- 72023 – Supervisors, Railway Transport Operations
- 72024 – Supervisors, Motor Transport and Other Ground Transit Operators
- 72025 – Supervisors, Mail and Message Distribution Occupations
- 72100 – Machinists and Machining and Tooling Inspectors
- 72101 – Tool and Die Makers
- 72102 – Sheet Metal Workers
- 72103 – Boilermakers
- 72104 – Structural Metal and Platework Fabricators and Fitters
- 72105 – Ironworkers
- 72106 – Welders and Related Machine Operators
- 72200 – Electricians (Except Industrial and Power System)
- 72201 – Industrial Electricians
- 72202 – Power System Electricians
- 72203 – Electrical Power Line and Cable Workers
- 72204 – Telecommunications Line and Cable Installers and Repairers
- 72205 – Telecommunications Equipment Installation and Cable Television Service Technicians
- 72300 – Plumbers
- 72301 – Steamfitters, Pipefitters, and Sprinkler System Installers
- 72302 – Gas Fitters
- 72310 – Carpenters
- 72311 – Cabinetmakers
- 72320 – Bricklayers
- 72321 – Insulators
- 72400 – Construction Millwrights and Industrial Mechanics
- 72401 – Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics
- 72402 – Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Mechanics
- 72403 – Railway Carmen/Women
- 72404 – Aircraft Mechanics and Aircraft Inspectors
- 72405 – Machine Fitters
- 72406 – Elevator Constructors and Mechanics
- 72410 – Automotive Service Technicians, Truck and Bus Mechanics, and Mechanical Repairers
- 72411 – Auto Body Collision, Refinishing and Glass Technicians and Damage Repair Estimators
- 72420 – Oil and Solid Fuel Heating Mechanics
- 72421 – Appliance Servicers and Repairers
- 72422 – Electrical Mechanics
- 72423 – Motorcycle, All-Terrain Vehicle, and Other Related Mechanics
- 72429 – Other Small Engine and Small Equipment Repairers
- 72500 – Crane Operators
- 72501 – Water Well Drillers
- 72600 – Air Pilots, Flight Engineers, and Flying Instructors
- 72601 – Air Traffic Controllers and Related Occupations
- 72602 – Deck Officers, Water Transport
- 72603 – Engineer Officers, Water Transport
- 72604 – Railway Traffic Controllers and Marine Traffic Regulators
- 72999 – Other Technical Trades and Related Occupations
- 82010 – Supervisors, Logging and Forestry
- 82020 – Supervisors, Mining and Quarrying
- 82021 – Contractors and Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling and Services
- 82030 – Agricultural Service Contractors and Farm Supervisors
- 82031 – Contractors and Supervisors, Landscaping, Grounds Maintenance, and Horticulture Services
Select High-Skilled Occupations in TEER 3
- 33100 – Dental Assistants and Dental Laboratory Assistants
- 33101 – Medical Laboratory Assistants and Related Technical Occupations
- 33102 – Nurse Aides, Orderlies, and Patient Service Associates
- 33103 – Pharmacy Technical Assistants and Pharmacy Assistants
- 33109 – Other Assisting Occupations in Support of Health Services
- 43100 – Elementary and Secondary School Teacher Assistants
- 43204 – Operations Members of the Canadian Armed Forces
- 53200 – Athletes
- 53201 – Coaches
- 73100 – Concrete Finishers
- 73101 – Tilesetters
- 73102 – Plasterers, Drywall Installers and Finishers, and Lathers
- 73110 – Roofers and Shinglers
- 73111 – Glaziers
- 73112 – Painters and Decorators (Except Interior Decorators)
- 73113 – Floor Covering Installers
- 73200 – Residential and Commercial Installers and Servicers
- 73201 – General Building Maintenance Workers and Building Superintendents
- 73202 – Pest Controllers and Fumigators
- 73209 – Other Repairers and Servicers
- 73300 – Transport Truck Drivers
- 73301 – Bus Drivers, Subway Operators, and Other Transit Operators
- 73310 – Railway and Yard Locomotive Engineers
- 73311 – Railway Conductors and Brakemen/Women
- 73400 – Heavy Equipment Operators
- 73401 – Printing Press Operators
- 73402 – Drillers and Blasters – Surface Mining, Quarrying, and Construction
- 83100 – Underground Production and Development Miners
- 83101 – Oil and Gas Well Drillers, Servicers, Testers, and Related Workers
- 83110 – Logging Machinery Operators
- 83120 – Fishing Masters and Officers
- 83121 – Fishermen/Women
To qualify under this new policy rollout, the primary work permit holder must have at least 16 months of validity remaining on their permit when their spouse or partner applies for an OWP. Additionally, dependent children of foreign workers will no longer be eligible for family OWPs.
Renewing Existing Permits
Work permits issued under the prior policy framework will remain valid until their expiration date. Family members already in Canada can apply for a renewal, provided the renewal duration aligns with the validity of the sponsoring study or work permit.
Programs Eligible for Spousal Open Work Permits
Beyond master’s and doctoral programs, the following professional programs will still qualify spouses or partners of international students for an 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, BSc, BPharm)
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN, BSN)
- Bachelor of Nursing (BN)
- Bachelor of Education (BEd)
- Bachelor of Engineering (BEng, BE, BASc)
Exemptions to the Revised Policy
Certain groups will remain unaffected by these changes, including:
- Spouses and common-law partners of workers covered under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)
- Spouses or partners applying for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) while being sponsored for permanent residency by a Canadian partner, as long as they hold valid temporary status in Canada and spouses who are part of an application for permanent residency through a federal or provincial program.
According to IRCC, these stricter eligibility requirements aim to address Canada’s ongoing housing and infrastructure challenges by reducing the number of temporary residents in the country. When the changes were announced in September 2024, Immigration Minister Marc Miller projected that these measures could lead to 50,000 fewer family OWPs for international students and 100,000 fewer for foreign workers over the next three years.
As these new rules take effect, prospective applicants are encouraged to thoroughly review the updated criteria and evaluate their eligibility. Staying informed and proactive is essential to navigating these changes effectively.
How We Can Help You Adapt to the New Rules
If you’re currently studying or working in Canada and are concerned about how these new regulations might impact your family’s eligibility for Open Work Permits and ability to remain together in Canada, we’re here to support you. Schedule a personalized one-on-one consultation with our experienced immigration consultants to understand these changes and adapt your plans effectively.
Our team of experts will assess your situation, provide tailored advice, and guide you through the application or renewal process to ensure compliance with the latest policies. Contact us today to book your consultation and secure your path to success in Canada.
The Team at Northern Connections Canada
