The best is yet to come
OK
Log out of UNA?
Log out
Cancel
Revolutionizing Immigration with AI
My Appointments
Welcome to UNA
Canada to Tighten Open Work Permit (OWP) Policy for Spouses Starting January 21st

Details of the Policy Changes

According to the latest IRCC announcement, starting January 21, 2025, only international students meeting one of the following criteria will have their spouses or common-law partners eligible to apply for a family Open Work Permit (OWP):

  • Enrolled in a master’s program lasting 16 months or more
  • Enrolled in a doctoral program
  • Enrolled in specific undergraduate programs, including
    • Doctor of Dental Surgery
    • Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor
    • Doctor of Medicine
    • Doctor of Optometry
    • Pharmacy
    • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
    • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    • Bachelor of Nursing Science
    • Bachelor of Nursing
    • Bachelor of Education
    • Bachelor of Engineering

Previously, spousal OWP eligibility was not contingent on the duration of the master’s program, making the application process significantly harder for short-term master’s programs.

For spouses or common-law partners of foreign workers holding work permits, OWP eligibility will be limited to the following occupational categories:

  • Occupations classified under TEER 0 and TEER 1
  • Specific TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupations, including
    • Natural and applied sciences
    • Construction
    • Healthcare
    • Natural resources
    • Education
    • Sports
    • Military sectors

IRCC will release the complete list of eligible TEER 2 and TEER 3 occupations on January 21, 2025.

Additionally, when spouses apply for an OWP, the foreign worker must have a work permit valid for at least 16 months. Furthermore, children of foreign workers will no longer be eligible to apply for family OWPs.

Renewal Mechanism for Existing OWPs

OWPs issued before the policy change will remain valid. If, under the previous policy, a spouse’s OWP has a shorter validity than the principal applicant’s study or work permit, it can be renewed to match the duration of the principal applicant’s permit.

Exemptions

The new restrictions do not affect spouses and common-law partners of foreign workers covered by Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). Additionally, spouses or common-law partners who have applied for permanent residence (PR) through their Canadian partner and currently hold a valid temporary status in Canada can still apply for a spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP).

Background and Impact

In September 2024, IRCC announced its plan to restrict family OWPs. Immigration Minister Marc Miller stated that this reform aims to address housing supply and affordability challenges caused by the high number of temporary residents. The change is expected to reduce the issuance of family OWPs by approximately 50,000 to 100,000 per year.

OWPs are highly favored for their flexibility, allowing holders to work for most employers across Canada without needing a specific employer sponsorship. They are particularly popular among international students and foreign workers’ families. However, the new policy will make it more challenging for many families to secure OWPs, significantly impacting Canada’s international education and immigration markets.

Conclusion

As the Canadian government gradually tightens policies for temporary residents, the new restrictions on family OWPs will undoubtedly have a significant impact on international students and foreign workers. Applicants are advised to closely monitor policy updates and plan their future study and work arrangements accordingly.

阿尔伯塔省9月中旬举行三轮移民邀请 向科技、执法及普通工作者发出超1400份邀请函
Alberta Holds Three Immigration Draws in Mid-September, Issuing Over 1,400 Invitations to Tech, Law Enforcement, and General Workers
Between September 12 and 17, 2025, Alberta conducted three rounds of immigration invitations across different categories through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), issuing over 1,400 invitation letters to technology professionals, law enforcement workers, and candidates under the Alberta Opportunity Stream. This series of invitations demonstrates the province's targeted immigration strategy addressing specific labor market demands.
09/28/2025
加拿大人口增长创战后最低水平 移民政策调整加剧劳动力老龄化
Canada's Population Growth Hits Post-War Low as Immigration Policy Adjustments Accelerate Workforce Aging
Latest data released by Statistics Canada on September 24, 2025, reveals that Canada is facing a major demographic turning point. Affected by federal government immigration policy adjustments, Canada's population growth rate in Q2 2025 was only 0.1%, marking the lowest post-war level (excluding pandemic period). Meanwhile, population aging trends are accelerating again, posing severe challenges to the national labor market and economic development.
09/26/2025
加拿大移民部8月数据发布 积压情况上升学签申请处理时间延长
IRCC Releases August Data: Backlog Increases, Study Permit Processing Times Extended
According to the latest data released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), as of August 31, 2025, the department's application backlog reached 958,850 cases, continuing to rise from July's 901,700 cases, representing a 6.33% increase. This marks the fourth consecutive month of worsening backlog issues for IRCC, with study permit applications experiencing particularly severe delays, surging from 23% in July to 32% in August.
09/25/2025
爱德华王子岛发放129份邀请函 重点关注本地就业及高校毕业生
Prince Edward Island Issues 129 Invitations with Focus on Local Employment and University Graduates
Prince Edward Island issued 129 invitations through its Labour Impact and Express Entry categories in its latest Provincial Nominee Program draw held on September 19, 2025. The province continues to focus on occupational sectors with significant economic impact, prioritizing applicants employed locally and international graduates from provincial institutions.
09/24/2025
曼尼托巴省向超过900名技术工人发出省提名邀请
Manitoba Issues Provincial Nomination Invitations to Over 900 Skilled Workers
Manitoba's immigration department issued application invitations to 911 skilled worker candidates this week through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). This draw covered both the Skilled Worker in Manitoba stream and the Skilled Worker Overseas stream, with candidates primarily qualifying through strategic recruitment initiatives and temporary work permit facilitation policies. Notably, over 90% of the invitations were issued to applicants who benefited from the federal temporary work permit policy.
09/23/2025
美国H1-B签证费用大幅上涨,加拿大工作许可成热门替代选择
H1-B Visa Fees Surge Dramatically in the US, Canada Work Permits Emerge as Popular Alternative
With US H1-B visa application fees skyrocketing to $100,000, an increasing number of international tech professionals are turning their attention to Canada. This article provides a detailed analysis of Canada's main work permit and immigration pathways, offering comprehensive guidance for professionals seeking to develop their careers in North America.
09/22/2025
阿尔伯塔省九月上旬密集抽选,发放逾1300份省提名邀请
Alberta Issues Over 1,300 Provincial Nomination Invitations in Early September Draws
In early September 2025, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) conducted a series of seven immigration draws, issuing a total of 1,376 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates. These draws primarily targeted applicants in the Alberta Express Entry stream and the Dedicated Healthcare Pathway, focusing on inviting candidates with Alberta job offers who can help fill labor gaps in high-demand sectors. The number of invitations issued in the first half of September alone has already surpassed that of any other single month in 2025, indicating that the province is accelerating its efforts to meet its economic development needs.
09/20/2025
加拿大快速通道2025年首次技工类抽签,邀请分数线大幅上涨
Canada Holds First Express Entry Draw of 2025 for Trade Occupations, CRS Score Rises Sharply
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its first Express Entry draw of the year for trade occupations on September 18, 2025. A total of 1,250 candidates received an Invitation to Apply (ITA). However, the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score soared to 505, significantly higher than the previous draw for this category. The primary reason for the score increase is the long interval between draws, which led to an accumulation of high-scoring candidates. Additionally, internal documents suggest IRCC plans to issue more invitations to trade candidates in the second half of the year.
09/19/2025
加拿大快速通道进行教育类专项邀请,最低分数线降至462分
Canada Conducts Express Entry Draw for Education Professionals, CRS Cut-off Score Drops to 462
On September 17, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held the second-ever Express Entry draw targeting candidates in the "education" category. A total of 2,500 Invitations to Apply (ITA) were issued to candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 462. Compared to the inaugural draw for this category, this round featured a significantly lower cut-off score and a larger number of invitations, reflecting the flexibility and strategic focus of Canada's immigration policy on attracting professionals from specific fields.
09/18/2025
艾伯塔省省提名配额上调 2025年可提名人数增至6,403人
Alberta's Provincial Nomination Allocation for 2025 Raised to 6,403
The Canadian federal government has recently approved an increase to the 2025 allocation for the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). The province's nomination spots have been raised from the previously set 4,875 to 6,403, a net increase of 1,528. This adjustment comes after the federal government had drastically reduced overall PNP immigration targets in response to pressures such as housing shortages. The increased allocation is viewed as a positive response to lobbying by provinces to meet local labour demands, and it is anticipated that the new spots will be prioritized to support key industries and regional economic development. In addition to Alberta, several other Canadian provinces and territories have also received increased allocations.
09/17/2025
Sorry, your request failed
Please try again
OK