Major Changes To Open Work Permits Starting January 21: Employers, Are You Ready?

On January 14, the Canadian government announced significant changes to open work permits (OWPs) for certain spouses, common-law partners, and children of temporary foreign workers, effective January 21, 2025.

To help you prepare, here is a summary of the main measures that could affect your temporary foreign workers (TFWs).

Main Changes

• Family OWPs will now be restricted to spouses of foreign workers employed in positions classified under:
  • TEER 0 or 1;
  • Certain TEER 2 or 3 occupations in sectors with labour shortages or linked to government priorities.
• Dependent children of foreign workers will no longer be eligible;
• Foreign workers must have a work permit valid for at least 16 months at the time of their spouse's OWP application;