As part of broader measures announced in September, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is revising OWP eligibility criteria for family members of international students and foreign workers.
According to an announcement on the Canadian government’s website, only spouses of certain categories of international students and foreign workers will qualify for family OWPs under the new rules.
Starting Jan. 21, family OWPs will be restricted to spouses of international students enrolled in master’s programs lasting 16 months or longer, doctoral programs, or other selected professional and eligible programs. Previously, spouses of students in master’s programs of any duration were eligible for SOWPs.
Family OWPs will also be limited to spouses of foreign workers employed in Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) 0 or 1 occupations, which include management and specialized professional roles. Certain TEER 2 and 3 occupations—typically technical jobs and skilled trades requiring a college diploma or at least two years of apprenticeship training—in sectors experiencing labor shortages or linked to government priorities will also qualify. Additionally, the foreign worker must have at least 16 months remaining on their work permit at the time their spouse applies for the OWP. Dependent children of foreign workers will no longer qualify under these measures.
OWPs approved under the previous criteria and still valid will remain unaffected. In cases where international students require additional time to complete their program or family members received shorter permits than the principal applicant, in-Canada family members (including spouses and dependent children) may apply to renew their work permits. To qualify, they must meet the same criteria as their current permits, and the renewal duration must match the existing study or work permit of the principal applicant.
Certain groups will remain unaffected by these changes. Spouses of workers covered by free-trade agreements and those transitioning to permanent residency will still be eligible for OWPs. Family members who no longer qualify for a family OWP can explore other work permit options available under Canada’s programs.
Canada also introduced new restrictions in October for international students seeking post-graduation work permits (PGWPs). Under these rules, students applying for study permits after that date must choose fields of study in sectors facing long-term labor shortages to qualify for the PGWP program. This marks a significant shift, reducing the flexibility international students previously enjoyed in selecting their academic programs.
In 2023, Canada reported 1,040,985 international students with active study permits, a 29% increase from the previous year and exceeding the government’s target of 950,000 students. India and China continued to dominate Canada’s international student population, contributing 427,085 and 101,150 students respectively. The Philippines ranked third with 48,870 students, while Vietnam held the eighth position with 17,175 students.
Comments are closed.