⭕ UPDATE: Changes to Open Work Permits for Family Members of Temporary Residents (Effective January 21, 2025):
1️⃣ Eligibility Updates for Family Open Work Permits (OWPs):
Limited to spouses of certain international students and foreign workers.
Spouses of international students must be enrolled in:
Master’s programs (16 months or longer),
Doctoral programs, or
Select professional and eligible programs.
2️⃣ Spouses of foreign workers must be employed in:
TEER 0 or 1 occupations, or
Select TEER 2 or 3 occupations in labor-shortage sectors or government priority areas (e.g., natural sciences, health care, education).
3️⃣ Additional Conditions for Foreign Workers:
Foreign workers must have at least 16 months remaining on their work permit when their spouse applies.
Dependent children of foreign workers are no longer eligible for family OWPs.
4️⃣ Renewals:
Existing OWPs remain valid until expiration.
In-Canada family members can renew OWPs if they meet the same criteria and align the duration with the principal applicant’s permit.
5️⃣ Exceptions:
Spouses of workers under free-trade agreements and those transitioning to permanent residence are unaffected.
Ineligible family members can still apply for other types of work permits under Canada’s programs
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