Canada is about to further restrict immigration eligibility — Here's what you need to know

Canada is about to roll out stricter rules for spousal open work permits (OWPs), and the change could affect families of international students and foreign workers across the country.

Starting Tuesday, January 21, only spouses of certain individuals will qualify for this type of work permit. These new restrictions come as part of broader immigration-tightening measures announced back in September, and they could make it harder for some newcomers to work in Canada while supporting their families.

So, who does this apply to? According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the eligibility for family OWPs will now focus on spouses of international students enrolled in very specific programs and foreign workers in certain types of jobs. Here's how it breaks down:

• International students: Only those in master's programs lasting 16 months or more, doctoral programs, or select professional programs will qualify for their spouses to apply for a family OWP. Students in eligible professional degree programs can include those studying law, nursing, education, engineering, pharmacy and more.
• Foreign workers: Eligibility is limited to those in TEER 0 or 1 occupations (management-level roles and jobs requiring university degrees) or specific TEER 2 and 3 jobs in sectors with labour shortages or linked to government priorities. These include industries like health care, military, education, construction, natural resources and more, with the full list set to be released on Tuesday.

Additionally, foreign workers must have at least 16 months left on their work permits when their spouse applies for an OWP. Dependent children of foreign workers will no longer be eligible under these permits.

The IRCC emphasized that OWPs issued under the old criteria will remain valid until they expire. Families already in Canada on a valid permit can still apply to renew permits as long as they meet the same conditions as the original permit.

It's also worth noting that spouses of workers covered under free-trade agreements or those transitioning to permanent residence will not be affected by these changes.

For anyone no longer eligible for a family OWP, the IRCC advises exploring other work permits available under Canada's programs.

These new rules are part of Canada's plan to reduce temporary residents from 6.5% of the population to 5% by 2026, as first announced back in March 2024.

If you're a newcomer to Canada or planning to move to the country soon, it's a good idea to review these updated requirements and consult the official IRCC website for more detailed information.

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