Rule change targets families of foreign workers and students in Canada

Federal officials highlight important measures introduced to improve and strengthen Canada's border security and immigration system.

The federal government has announced new restrictions on work permits for family members of foreign workers and international students in Canada.

Starting Jan. 21, only the spouses of certain international students and foreign workers will be eligible for a Canadian open work permit.

Work permits will only be authorized for spouses of international students who are enrolled in a doctoral program, a master’s program that is 16 months or longer, or select professional and eligible programs such as nursing, pharmacy and engineering degrees.

Permits will also only be available to spouses of foreign workers who are employed in management roles and jobs that usually require a university degree, such as financial advisers and software engineers. Other occupations facing labour shortages or linked to government priorities – such as construction, health care and education – may also be eligible. Workers must have at least 16 months remaining on their permit at the time their spouse applies.

An open work permit allows a foreign national to take any job in Canada without restrictions.

“The Government of Canada is continuing to strengthen the integrity and quality of our temporary resident programs while supporting the country’s economic goals and labour market needs,” a Jan. 14 announcement from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada explains.

Open work permits that were approved under previous rules will remain valid. Workers covered by free-trade agreements or who are becoming permanent residents are also not affected. Family members of foreign workers and students impacted by the new rules may still be eligible for Canada’s other temporary work permit programs.

Open work permits were previously available to spouses and common-law partners of international students, and the spouses, common-law partners and dependent children of foreign workers. Dependent children are no longer eligible.

The new rules for open work permits follow a fall announcement that Canada will reduce the number of temporary foreign residents in the country.

“In response to labour shortages and the aftershocks of the pandemic, the federal government took steps to meet the urgent needs of businesses and support our economic recovery,” a September statement from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said. “Since then, Canada’s economy has evolved, and we must continue to adapt our immigration system to respond to new pressures, including a softening labour market.”