Canada tightens open work permit rules for temporary resident family members

Canada has announced more changes to its immigration system, this time affecting the Open Work Permit eligibility for family members of international students and foreign workers.

Effective January 21, 2025, family open work permits (OWPs) for international students will be restricted to the spouses or common-law partners of students currently enrolled in master’s programs that are 16 months or longer, doctoral programs, or select professional and eligible programs. These changes build on measures announced in September 2024.

What are open work permits?  

Open work permits (OWPs) allow holders to work across Canada for most employers and in various industries. Unlike employer-specific permits or Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-based permits (often referred to as “closed” work permits), OWPs are not tied to a single employer or job.

Because of this flexibility, OWPs are popular among newcomers. They also allow in-Canada family members—such as spouses or dependent children—to apply for renewals in line with the sponsoring permit holder’s study or work permit duration.  

For foreign workers: Family OWPs will be limited to the spouses or common-law partners of workers employed in Training Education Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) 0 roles. Additionally, the worker must have at least 16 months of validity left on their work permit when their spouse applies.  

Dependent children of foreign workers are no longer eligible for family OWPs under the new regulations.  

Existing family OWPs issued under previous policies will remain valid until their expiry dates.   

Immigration policy changes  

The tightened OWP regulations come alongside broader immigration adjustments. In 2025, Canada plans to admit 395,000 new permanent residents, significantly lower than the previous target of 500,000. The annual intake will gradually reduce further, with 380,000 in 2026 and 365,000 in 2027.  

For economic immigrants, the government is prioritizing sectors like healthcare and skilled trades, aiming to admit 232,150 individuals in 2025 to address labour shortages.  

Temporary resident policies are also being updated. The number of study permits issued to international students will decrease to 437,000 in 2025, down from 509,390 in 2023.  

These measures reflect Canada’s shifting approach to balancing immigration and workforce demands while addressing domestic concerns about capacity and infrastructure.

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