[requester]

Record

Archived: June 2, 2025 10:18:46 AM From: Immigration Representatives / Représentants immigration (RCC Sent: [requester] To: [requester] Immigration Representatives / Représentants immigration (RCC Subject: [requester] Importance: Normal Sensitivity: None Good day, Thank you for contacting the Immigration Representatives Mailbox Please note that this mailbox is intended for general guidance and does not provide responses to case-specific inquiries but have provided the following information as guidance.. If you have case specific questions about a file, you are encouraged to submit the IRCC Web form. Please see our response to your question: Question: | would like to verify if this news below includes the applications for PGWP's spouses Changes to open work permits for family members of temporary residents [requester] 14, 2025—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. As part of the broader measures announced in September 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is changing open work permit (OWP) eligibility for family members of international students and foreign workers Effective January 21, 2025, only spouses of certain international students and foreign workers will be able to apply for a family [requester] OWPs will be limited to spouses of international students who are enrolled in

* master’s programs that are 16 months or longer

* doctoral programs, or

* * select professional and eligible programs Family OWPs will also be limited to spouses of foreign workers who are employed in

¢ * 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.

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 [requester] children of foreign workers will no longer be eligible. OWPs that were approved under the previous measures and have not expired will remain valid. In situations where students may need more time to complete their program or where family members received a shorter work permit than the principal applicant, in-Canada family members (including spouses and dependent children) can apply to renew their work permit as long as

* * they are applying under the same criteria as the current work permit, and

*the requested duration of the renewal matches that of the existing study or work permit of the principal applicant Spouses of workers covered by free-trade agreements and those transitioning to permanent residence will not be impacted by these changes. Family members who will no longer qualify for a family OWP can apply for any type of work permit they are eligible for under Canada’s work permit programs.

Gus) {tn ao ro Tee ene

Answer:

* * The new measure includes all spouses of workers, including spouses of PGWP.

* * Only spouses of high-skilled workers (TEER 0 or) and select (TEER 2 or 3) will continue to be eligible for an

OWP under C41, if their application was received on Jan 21 UTC.

© *[requester] of highly skilled workers are no longer eligible.

* *All family members of low-skilled workers are no longer eligible to apply for an [requester] the PGWP holds a WP and have a job offer in TEER 0, 1 (or was approved for one), their spouse will be eligible to apply for an [requester] the PGWP holds a WP or approved for a WP and they have a job offer under TEER 2 or 3 that is not on the list of selected TEERs, then their spouse will not be eligible to apply for an [requester] members of PGWP holders who have a job offer in low-skilled occupation are no longer eligible to apply for an [requester] continue to monitor our webpages including these for updates Post-graduation work permit (PGWP) {R205(c] - C43] ~ international Mobility Program - Canada.ca Overview of work designated by the Minister {R205(c)(ii) ~C41, C42, C43, C44, C45, C46, C47, C48, C49, C52, C88] ~ Canadian interest — International Mobility Program - Canada.ca We hope this information is of assistance. Regards, [requester] De: Envoyé: [requester] A: Immigration Representatives / Représentants immigration (IRC) <[IRCC Immigration Representatives mailbox]> Ce: Objet: [requester] Dear office, | would like to verify if this news below includes the applications for PGWP’s spouses: Changes to open work permits for family members of temporary residents [requester] 14, 2025—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. As part of the broader measures announced in September 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is changing open work permit (OWP) eligibility for family members of international students and foreign workers. Effective January 21, 2025, only spouses of certain international students and foreign workers will be able to apply for a family [requester] OWPs will be limited to spouses of international students who are enrolled in

0026s

.19(1) FFD erccepcress Semone conse

* *master’s programs that are 16 months or longer —ev~er

* * doctoral programs, or

« * select professional and eligible programs Family OWPs will also be limited to spouses of foreign workers who are employed in

* * TEER 0 or 4 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 ist will be available on January 21, 2025.

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 [requester] children of foreign workers will no longer be eligible. OWPs that were approved under the previous measures and have not expired will remain valid. in situations where students may need more time to complete their program or where family members received a shorter work permit than the principal applicant, in-Canada family members (including spouses and dependent children) can apply to renew their work permit as long as

© ‘they are applying under the same criteria as the current work permit, and

© * the requested duration of the renewal matches that of the existing study or work permit of the principal applicant Spouses of workers covered by free-trade agreements and those transitioning to permanent residence will not be impacted by these changes. Family members who will no longer qualify for a family OWP can apply for any type of work permit they are eligible for under Canada’s work permit programs Thank you and best regards,