Canada Open Work Permit new rules 2025, Canada made significant reforms to its Open Work Permit policy, which came into effect on January 21, 2025.
The new policy limits eligibility for the spouses and dependents of temporary foreign workers and international students.
Dependent children of temporary foreign workers are no longer qualified for open work permits in the family stream.
Spouses are only eligible if the lead worker is in TEER 0, 1, or specific TEER 2 and 3 critical occupations.
For students, spouses of individuals in approved master’s, doctoral, or professional programs are the only ones who can apply for open work permits.
Canada Open Work Permit new rules 2025
Permit holders should also make sure that the foreign worker’s permit has a minimum of 16 months left when applying.
Spouses of skilled workers, partners of high-level students, post-graduation permit holders, and refugees will still qualify for open work permits.
Current valid permit holders will retain their status until existing permits run out.
These adjustments lower family mobility alternatives but serve to enhance program integrity and address labour market needs.