Major changes and updates, Spousal Open work permits

Starting January 21, 2025, only the spouses of specific International students and foreign workers will be permitted to apply for a family OWP. The family OWPs will be restricted to spouses of international students enrolled in:

– Master’s programs lasting 16 months or longer

– Doctoral programs

– Certain professional and eligible programs Help your spouse or common-law partner work in Canada – Canada.ca

Additionally, family OWPs will be available only to spouses of foreign workers engaged in:

– TEER 0 or 1 occupations

– Selected TEER 2 or 3 occupations in sectors experiencing labor shortages or aligned with government priorities. These sectors include natural and applied sciences, construction, healthcare, natural resources, education, sports, and military fields.

Moreover, the foreign worker must have a minimum of 16 months remaining on their work permit at the time their spouse applies to the OWP. Dependent children of foreign workers will no longer qualify for the work permit, however, remain eligible for the study/visitor permit. Spouses of workers covered by free-trade agreements and those transitioning to permanent residency will not be impacted. Spouses of workers under the Francophone Mobility Program will be affected by this change.

Regarding Foreign Workers, the following are the criteria for the main applicant:

The main applicant must receive an employment offer in either: 

• High-skilled occupation at the Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) category 0 (management) or 1 (professional) level of the National Occupation Classification system at the time your spouse or common-law partner submits their application, or
• a select high-skilled occupation at the Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) Category 2 or Category 3 of the National Occupation Classification system at the time your spouse or common-law partner submits their application.

Other options for a spouse will be visitor or study permit applications. Minors can’t apply for open work permits, however, they are still able to enroll in the Canadian schooling system up to grade 12.  In addition to these changes, IRCC is more rigorous regarding proof of financials, proof that foreign workers will return home (very subjective reason for the refusal) and other criteria.