top of page

Key Changes to Open Work Permits in Canada in 2025

Key Changes to Open Work Permit Eligibility

A free Assessment by ICL Immigration Inc.

On January 21, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced significant updates to the open work permit (OWP) eligibility criteria for spouses and dependents of international students and foreign workers. These changes, aimed at addressing labour market priorities and enhancing program integrity, refine the pathways for family members to participate in the Canadian workforce. With a focus on specific educational programs and targeted occupations under the Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) system, the new policy ensures alignment with economic demands while supporting Canada's immigration goals.


Students sitting on steps outdoors, laughing and looking at a tablet. Backpacks and greenery in the background. Casual, cheerful mood.

  1. Spouses of International Students:

    • Eligible Programs: Spouses or common-law partners of international students can now apply for an OWP only if the student is enrolled in one of the following programs:

      • Master’s programs with a duration of 16 months or longer.

      • Doctoral programs.

      • Select professional and eligible programs (a detailed list is available on the IRCC website).

    • Previous Policy: Prior to this change, spouses of students enrolled in various programs, including undergraduate and shorter master's programs, were eligible for OWPs.


    Group of five construction workers smiling, wearing colored hard hats and vests. Urban background, cheerful mood, blueprints visible.

  2. Spouses of Foreign Workers:

    • Eligible Occupations: Spouses or common-law partners of foreign workers are now eligible for an OWP if the principal worker is employed in:

      • TEER 0 or 1 occupations.

      • Select TEER 2 or 3 occupations within specific sectors experiencing labor shortages or aligned with government priorities. These sectors include natural and applied sciences, construction, healthcare, natural resources, education, sports, and military.

    • Work Permit Validity: The foreign worker must have at least 16 months remaining on their work permit at the time their spouse applies for the OWP.

    • Previous Policy: Previously, spouses of foreign workers in a broader range of occupations were eligible for OWPs without the specified conditions.


    Eligible Occupations in Teer 2 and Teer 3 NOC Categories

    Eligible Teer 2 Occupations: (subject to change)

1

22100 – Chemical technologists and technicians

2

22101 – Geological and mineral technologists and technicians

3

22110 – Biological technologists and technicians

4

22111 – Agricultural and fish products inspectors

5

22112 – Forestry technologists and technicians

6

22113 – Conservation and fishery officers

7

22114 – Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists

8

22210 – Architectural technologists and technicians

9

22211 – Industrial designers

10

22212 – Drafting technologists and technicians

11

22213 – Land survey technologists and technicians

12

22214 – Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology

13

22220 – Computer network and web technicians

14

22221 – User support technicians

15

22222 – Information systems testing technicians

16

22230 – Non-destructive testers and inspectors

17

22231 – Engineering inspectors and regulatory officers

18

22232 – Occupational health and safety specialists

19

22233 – Construction inspectors

20

22300 – Civil engineering technologists and technicians

21

22301 – Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians

22

22302 – Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians

23

22303 – Construction estimators

24

22310 – Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians

25

22311 – Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment)

26

22312 – Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics

27

22313 – Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors

28

32100 – Opticians

29

32101 – Licensed practical nurses

30

32102 – Paramedical occupations

31

32103 – Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists

32

32104 – Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians

33

32109 – Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment

34

32110 – Denturists

35

32111 – Dental hygienists and dental therapists

36

32112 – Dental technologists and technicians

37

32120 – Medical laboratory technologists

38

32121 – Medical radiation technologists

39

32122 – Medical sonographers

40

32123 – Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists

41

32124 – Pharmacy technicians

42

32129 – Other medical technologists and technicians

43

32200 – Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists

44

32201 – Massage therapists

45

32209 – Other practitioners of natural healing

46

42102 – Specialized members of the Canadian Armed Forces

47

42202 – Early childhood educators and assistants

48

72010 – Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations

49

72011 – Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations

50

72012 – Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades

51

72013 – Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades

52

72014 – Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers

53

72020 – Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades

54

72021 – Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews

55

72022 – Supervisors, printing and related occupations

56

72023 – Supervisors, railway transport operations

57

72024 – Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators

58

72025 – Supervisors, mail and message distribution occupations

59

72100 – Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors

60

72101 – Tool and die makers

61

72102 – Sheet metal workers

62

72103 – Boilermakers

63

72104 – Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters

64

72105 – Ironworkers

65

72106 – Welders and related machine operators

66

72200 – Electricians (except industrial and power system)

67

72201 – Industrial electricians

68

72202 – Power system electricians

69

72203 – Electrical power line and cable workers

70

72204 – Telecommunications line and cable installers and repairers

71

72205 – Telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technicians

72

72300 – Plumbers

73

72301 – Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers

74

72302 – Gas fitters

75

72310 – Carpenters

76

72311 – Cabinetmakers

77

72320 – Bricklayers

78

72321 – Insulators

79

72400 – Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics

80

72401 – Heavy-duty equipment mechanics

81

72402 – Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics

82

72403 – Railway carmen/women

83

72404 – Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors

84

72405 – Machine fitters

85

72406 – Elevator constructors and mechanics

86

72410 – Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers

87

72411 – Auto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians and damage repair estimators

88

72420 – Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics

89

72421 – Appliance servicers and repairers

90

72422 – Electrical mechanics

91

72423 – Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics

92

72429 – Other small engine and small equipment repairers

93

72500 – Crane operators

94

72501 – Water well drillers

95

72600 – Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors

96

72601 – Air traffic controllers and related occupations

97

72602 – Deck officers, water transport

98

72603 – Engineer officers, water transport

99

72604 – Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators

100

72999 – Other technical trades and related occupations

101

82010 – Supervisors, logging and forestry

102

82020 – Supervisors, mining and quarrying

103

82021 – Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services

104

82030 – Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors

105

82031 – Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services

Eligible Teer 3 Occupations: (subject to change)

1

33100 – Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants

2

33101 – Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations

3

33102 – Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates

4

33103 – Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants

5

33109 – Other assisting occupations in support of health services

6

43100 – Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants

7

43204 – Operations Members of the Canadian Armed Forces

8

53200 – Athletes

9

53201 – Coaches

10

73100 – Concrete finishers

11

73101 – Tilesetters

12

73102 – Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers

13

73110 – Roofers and shinglers

14

73111 – Glaziers

15

73112 – Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)

16

73113 – Floor covering installers

17

73200 – Residential and commercial installers and services

18

73201 – General building maintenance workers and building superintendents

19

73202 – Pest controllers and fumigators

20

73209 – Other repairers and servicers

21

73300 – Transport truck drivers

22

73301 – Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators

23

73310 – Railway and yard locomotive engineers

24

73311 – Railway conductors and brakemen/women

25

73400 – Heavy equipment operators

26

73401 – Printing press operators

27

73402 – Drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction

28

83100 – Underground production and development miners

29

83101 – Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers

30

83110 – Logging machinery operators

31

83120 – Fishing masters and officers

32

83121 – Fishermen/women


Dependent Children of Skilled Workers

  1. Dependent Children:


    Dependent children of foreign workers are no longer eligible for OWPs under the new policy.


Implications on applications due to the changes to Open Work permit rules announced by IRCC

Implications for Applicants:


  • Existing OWPs: OWPs approved under the previous criteria that have not expired remain valid.

  • Applications submitted before these changes will be processed under the previous rules

  • Renewals: Family members in Canada can apply to renew their work permits if they meet the current eligibility criteria and the renewal duration aligns with the principal applicant's study or work permit validity.

  • Permanent Residence Applicants: Spouses of individuals transitioning to certain permanent residence streams are not affected by these changes and remain eligible for OWPs.


The rationale behind IRCC making all the changes to Open Work Permit Eligibility

Rationale Behind the Changes:


These adjustments are part of broader measures announced in September 2024, aiming to strengthen the integrity of Canada's temporary resident programs while supporting economic goals and addressing labour market needs.


By refining OWP eligibility, the government seeks to ensure that family members' access to the labour market aligns with sectors experiencing genuine labour shortages and strategic importance.


Summary:


The changes implemented on January 21, 2025, represent a targeted approach by IRCC to balance the benefits of family reunification with Canada's economic and labour market priorities. Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the updated eligibility criteria carefully and consult official IRCC resources or seek professional advice to understand how these changes may affect their specific circumstances


Data Sources:


Penned by Clinton Emslie, CEO of ICL Immigration Inc



ICL Immigration Inc CEO Clinton Emslie

Thinking of Immigrating to Canada? Immigration all starts with eligibility, and until that is determined its very hard to say what will or what wont work for an applicant. As such it is vital for an Applicant to complete an Assessment, so that we can render a feedback report based on your profile and its viable options. That is the starting point of any discussions on your viable pathways to Canada. Click below to submit your assessment to learn about your options.

A free assessment by ICL Immigration Inc.

Komentar


Mengomentari telah dimatikan.
bottom of page