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ARTICLE · 28 JANUARY 2025

Changes To Open Work Permits Effective January 21, 2025

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Effective January 21, 2025, family members of international students and foreign workers face increased restrictions to the eligibility criteria for obtaining an open work permit ("OWP").

CanadaImmigration
Scott Bell
Scott Bell
Anna Sigurdson
Anna Sigurdson
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Effective January 21, 2025, family members of international students and foreign workers face increased restrictions to the eligibility criteria for obtaining an open work permit ("OWP"). These changes to a family's eligibility for an OWP are part of the broad measures that were previously announced in September 2024 by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Employers will want to be aware of these changes, as they may result in employee turnover due to limitations on foreign workers bringing family to Canada.

Spouses of foreign workers

Eligibility for family member(s) to obtain an OWP will be limited to spouses of foreign workers who are employed in:

  • TEER 0 (i.e. management occupations) or TEER 1 (i.e. occupations that usually require a university degree) occupations; or

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