Canada’s New Open Work Permit Rules: The Government of Canada has revised eligibility criteria for open work permits- OWP program in the country under the recent Announcement on 14 January 2025. The program allows spouses of international students and immigrant workers in Canada to get a work permit on the behalf of their partner and can live in the country until the visa of the partner expires accordingly.
The current updates in open work permits program is beneficial for international students as well as workers has it have revised the eligibility criteria and easier the procedure to get spouse Visa accordingly. So if your partner is also doing a Masters or employee in Canada then you can check this article which will help you to live in the country with your family.
OWP Revision 2025
Canada’s New Open Work Permit is a program running by the Canadian government which was earlier inviting family members of the temporary immigrant workers and international students living in Canada including their spouse, children and other depends.
But now the authority have revised the OWP rule and Limited it to only for spouse visa. It will be implemented from 21 January 2025. These Visa holders are eligible to work in Canada along with their spouse until the Visa expire.
Only spouse can apply in OWP program
The program is especially designed for International students who are pursuing Masters and international workers who are engaged in TEER 0 or 1 or specific occupations under TEER 2 and 3. The program was very helpful for temporary citizens in Canada as they were eligible to invite their family members including dependents such as parents, children and their partners or spouse.
As the program allows all the OWP visa holders to work in the country, so a huge number of candidates have invited their family members under the program. The government has revised OWP program and Limited the visa eligibility to only spouses of temporary citizen in Canada. Children and other dependents will know longer be eligible to apply for the program from 21 January 2025.
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OWP Revised eligibility for international students
Earlier, international students who are pursuing Masters program in Canada were eligible to invite their family members in the program. But now the government has Limited the number of years which are required to master’s course for 16 months or more. Apart from this if you are pursuing doctoral programs Then you are also eligible to invite your spouse to live in the country along with you.
One of the best benefit of the program is, the spouse can work in Canada during the visa period and they can earn a good money during their education.
Revised eligibility for workers in Canada
The Canadian authority is inviting spouse of International workers in Canada to live in the country. However the candidate should engaged in TEER 0 or TEER 1 occupations to apply for OWP Visa.
Candidates who are working in TEER 2 and 3 occupations can also apply for the visa if they are working in specific occupation such as natural and applied sciences, construction, health care, natural resources, education, sports and military sectors.
The limits for international workers has also introduced by the government of Canada where worker is required for OWP program if their visa is expiring after 16 months or more. If your visa is going to expire before 16 months then you cannot apply for spouse visa in OWP program in Canada.
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Barrier for international immigrants in Canada
Canada is one of the favorite choices of the International workers as well as students who want to study their higher education abroad. But from few years, the government is restricting the immigration of the international students as well as workers.
According to the reports of IRCC the immigration of the temporary citizens in Canada is expected to decline from 6.5% to 5% by 2026. They have also reduced 10% seats of the international students in Canadian colleges and institutes as compared to last year. However students who have the specific skill are welcomed by the government and get good pay accordingly.
