Canada Revises Family Open Work Permits Starting Jan 25, Thousands Of Indians Likely To Benefit: Check Details

<p>The Canadian government has modified the rules for open work permits (OWP) for spouses of international students and foreign workers, which will benefit thousands of Indians in Canada, who make up a large portion of Canada’s international student population. The development comes after the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation.</p>
<p>As per the modified rules, only spouses of eligible international students and foreign workers will be able to apply for an OWP, starting January 21, 2025. However, there is a specific criteria focused on the length of study programmes and high-demand job sectors. These changes will now enable Indian students to bring their spouses to Canada to work while they study or work in the country.</p>
<p>The eligibility under the new OWP will be restricted to spouses of international students pursuing master’s programmes that have a duration of 16 months or longer, doctoral programmes, or a few other professional programmes.</p>
<p>The OWP for families will also be limited to spouses of foreign workers employed in TEER 1 occupations, or select TEER 2 or 3 occupations in those sectors where there is shortage of labour or those linked to government priorities.</p>
<p>Some of these occupations include in the healthcare, construction, natural and applied sciences, natural resources, sports , education, and military sectors, according to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).</p>
<p>It is also necessary that the foreign worker must have at least 16 months remaining on their work permit when their spouse applies for the OWP. Additionally, the Canadian government will enforce a stricter eligibility criteria for dependent children, who will no longer be eligible for family OWPs.</p>
<p>However, the family members of those who have already been approved under the previous rules can continue working, provided they apply for renewals as per the current criteria.</p>
<p>According to IRCC, family members who are no longer eligible for a family OWP have the opportunity to apply for other types of work permits available under the other work permit programmes offered by the country.</p>
<p>Indian students, who constituted nearly 37% of all study permits issued by Canada in 2023, will find these changes encouraging as they will help in the integration of their spouses and family members into Canada&rsquo;s workforce. This move is being viewed as a part of Canada’s broader effort to strengthen its temporary resident programmes and also supporting its economy and labour market needs.</p>
<p>The move also comes after the IRCC , in September, projected a decrease in the number of temporary residents from 6.5 percent of Canada&rsquo;s total population to 5 percent by 2026. Thus, the federal government is taking action to increase temporary residents and brirdge the projected gap, while also holding those misusing the system accountable.</p>
<p>Canada also announced a reduction in the number of international student study permits for 2025, reducing the target by 10 percent from the 2024 goal of 4,85,000 down to 4,37,000 permits. However, the number of study permits will stay the same next year as in 2025, according to the IRCC.</p>