Canada revises family open work permits, may benefit thousands of Indians

In a move that will benefit thousands of Indians in Canada, the Canadian government has modified the rules for open work permits (OWP) for spouses of international students and foreign workers. This move comes after the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced his resignation.

Effective January 21, 2025, only spouses of eligible international students and foreign workers will be able to apply for an OWP, with specific criteria focused on the length of study programmes and high-demand job sectors. These changes will benefit Indian students, as many will now be able to bring their spouses to Canada to work while they study or work in the country.

The new OWP eligibility will be limited to spouses of international students enroled in master's programmes that are 16 months or longer, doctoral programmes, or select professional programmes.

Family OWP's will also be limited to spouses of foreign workers who are employed in TEER 1 occupations, or select TEER 2 or 3 occupations in sectors with labour shortages or linked to government priorities. These include occupations in the natural and applied sciences, construction, health care, natural resources, education, sports and military sectors, according to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The foreign worker must also have at least 16 months remaining on their work permit at the time when their spouse applies for the OWP.

Additionally, the Canadian government will enforce stricter eligibility criteria for dependent children, who will no longer be eligible for family OWPs.

However, family members of those already approved under the previous rules can continue working, provided they apply for renewals based on current criteria.

Family members no longer eligible for a family OWP can apply for other types of work permits available under Canada’s work permit programmes, according to IRCC.

Indian students, who form a significant portion of Canada's international student population, will find these changes encouraging. With Indian nationals constituting nearly 37% of all study permits issued by Canada in 2023, these new measures will help further integrate their spouses and families into Canada’s workforce.

This move is part of Canada's broader effort to strengthen its temporary resident programmes while supporting the country's economy and labour market needs.

In September, the IRCC projected a decrease in the number of temporary residents -- from 6.5% of Canada’s total population down to 5% by 2026. In a bid to bridge the gap, the federal government is taking action to manage the increase of temporary residents and hold employers misusing the system accountable.

The Canadian government also announced a reduction in the number of international student study permits for 2025, cutting the target by 10% from the 2024 goal of 4,85,000 to 4,37,000 permits. The number of study permits will remain the same in 2026 as in 2025, according to the IRCC.