Welcome to the Guberman // Appleby Immigration Update. We hope you find the information provided relevant to your immigration needs. Our objective is to highlight recent changes in immigration that are of interest to our readers. If you have specific questions relating to this update, feel free to contact us at info@gaimmlaw.com.
Today’s topic:
- IRCC announces changes to the criteria for Open Work Permits (OWPs) for family members of temporary foreign workers and international students
On January 21, 2025, the Government of Canada implemented significant changes to the eligibility criteria for Open Work Permits (OWPs) for family members of temporary foreign workers (TFW) and international students.
Spouses of temporary foreign workers who wish to work, will now only be eligible to apply for a work permit if the principal TFW has at least 16 months of validity on their work permit at the time of the spouse’s work permit application. While spouses of TFWs in TEER 0 or TEER 1 occupations are eligible to apply for an OWP, only spouses of TFWs in select TEER 2 or TEER 3 will be eligible for an OWP. The government has prioritized sectors with labour shortages and those sectors where the government has identified a priority such as education, natural and applied science, construction, health and education, among others.
The children of TFW, many of whom were previously eligible for OWP, will not longer be eligible to apply for a work permit.
As for spouses of International Students: OWPs are now limited to spouses of international students enrolled in Master’s programs lasting 16 months or longer; Doctoral (PhD) programs and a very limited selection professional degree program and eligible programs in specified in-deman/labour shortage sectors.
If you are a TFW or international student in Canada with a spouse or considering coming to Canada to work or study, it is advisable to consider this information carefully.
// CONTACT US
We welcome you to contact us directly to discuss the above. Please contact one of our immigration lawyers in Toronto, by reaching out to our general line 416 548 7100 or via email info@gaimmlaw.com. Our Toronto immigration lawyers are always available to discuss any of your specific Canadian or US immigration queries either virtually or in person. We look forward to hearing from you.
