Starting January 21, 2025, new rules for spousal open work permits (OWP) will take effect for families of international students and foreign workers.

👨‍🎓 For Work-permit Holders:
Starting January 21, 2025, spouses of work permit holders who meet the criteria below will be eligible for an Open Work Permit.

1. Must be working in an occupation belonging to this TEER or NOC

• TEER 0 or 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. The full list will be available on January 21, 2025.

2. In addition, 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.

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🚨 Other Key Changes:

1. Dependent children will no longer be eligible for Open Work permit.
2. OWPs that were approved under the previous measures and have not expired will remain valid.
3. Spouses covered under free trade agreements or transitioning to PR are unaffected.
4. In cases where students require more time to complete their program or family members receive a shorter work permit than the principal applicant (e.g., due to an early passport expiry date), in-Canada family members (including spouses and dependent children) can apply to renew their work permit, provided that:

• They meet the same criteria as the current work permit.
• The requested renewal duration aligns with the principal applicant's existing study or work permit.

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👨‍🎓 For International Students:
After April 30, 2024, Spouses of International Student can apply for Open work permit if the student is in:

• Master’s programs (16+ months)
• Doctoral programs
• Select professional programs (Effective April 30, 2024)
  Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS, DMD)
  Bachelor of Law (LLB, JD, BCL)
  Doctor of Medicine (MD)
  Doctor of Optometry (OD)
  Pharmacy (PharmD, BSc, BPharm)
  Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
  Nursing (BScN, BSN, BSc, BNSc)
  Education (BEd)
  Engineering (BEng, BASc)

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