Open work permit rules for spouses of international students and foreign workers revised

New Delhi, January 12 (Indian Abroad Newsdesk)

In a significant policy change, the Canadian government has modified the rules for open work permits (OWPs) for spouses of international students and foreign workers, effective January 21, 2025. These changes, announced shortly after the resignation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, aim to streamline immigration policies and support the country’s labour market needs.

Eligibility for OWPs is now restricted to spouses of international students and foreign workers meeting specific criteria.

Spouses of international students can apply for OWPs only if the student is enrolled in master’s programmes (16 months or longer), doctoral programmes, or select professional programmes. For foreign workers, OWPs are limited to spouses employed in high-demand sectors. These include TEER 1 occupations or select TEER 2 and 3 occupations in fields such as natural and applied sciences, construction, healthcare, natural resources, education, sports, and the military. Additionally, foreign workers must have at least 16 months remaining on their work permits at the time of their spouse’s application. Dependent children will no longer be eligible for family OWPs under the revised rules. However, family members who are no longer eligible for OWPs can explore other work permit options. A grandfathering clause allows family members already approved under previous rules to continue working, provided they renew their permits based on current criteria.

Indian students, who make up 37% of Canada’s international student population as of 2023, stand to benefit significantly from the changes. The new rules facilitate better integration of Indian students' spouses and families into Canada’s workforce, further enhancing their experience in the country.

In a related move, Canada has announced a 10% reduction in international student study permits for 2025, cutting the target from 485,000 in 2024 to 437,000 in 2025. This target will remain unchanged in 2026.

The modifications are part of Canada’s broader efforts to strengthen temporary resident programmes and address labour market demands. The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) aims to reduce the percentage of temporary residents in the population from 6.5% in 2023 to 5% by 2026. The government also intends to hold employers accountable for any misuse of immigration systems. These changes reflect Canada’s ongoing commitment to refining its immigration policies to support its economy and labour market while maintaining a balanced and inclusive approach.