Canada Implements Restrictions on Work Permits for Family Members of Temporary Residents

January 15, 2025 TruthUSA

Ottawa has imposed restrictions on work permit eligibility for family members of temporary residents in Canada.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that as of Jan. 21, only spouses of certain international students and foreign workers will be allowed to apply for work permits.

These restrictions narrow down the eligibility to spouses of students enrolled in master’s programs lasting more than 16 months and doctoral programs, as stated in a Jan. 14 government news release.

Furthermore, work permit applications are limited to spouses of foreign workers in TEER 0 or 1 occupations (management roles or jobs typically requiring a university degree), or certain TEER 2 or 3 occupations (usually requiring a college degree or apprenticeship training) in industries with labor shortages or roles aligning with government priorities.

Ottawa mentioned that a detailed list of eligible jobs will be disclosed on Jan. 21.

In addition, the foreign worker must have at least 16 months left on their work permit when their spouse applies for their work permit.

Dependent children of foreign workers are no longer eligible to apply for work permits, according to the release.

Approved work permits under the previous regulations that have not expired will remain valid, the government stated.

Extensions for work permits can be requested from within Canada if an international student needs more time to complete their program and the family member’s work permit is set to expire before then. However, the release specified that applications must align with the current permit criteria and duration matching the student’s study or work permit.

These changes will not affect spouses of free-trade agreement-covered foreign workers or those transitioning to permanent residency.

Non-exempt family members applying for a family work permit can still apply for other work permits if eligible under Canada’s programs.

The modifications are part of a series of immigration restrictions, including discontinuation of providing additional points to temporary foreign workers applying for permanent residency based on a Labour Market Impact Assessment.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller mentioned that the measure aims to reduce fraud in Canada’s Express Entry System, an online platform managing the country’s skilled immigration programs.

Ottawa has also imposed limitations on low-wage temporary foreign workers in most sectors. Employers are now required to pay foreign workers 20% above the median hourly wage in their province.

Additionally, Canada has ceased automatic issuance of 10-year multiple-entry visas.

Visa officers will now assess each application individually to determine validity and entry type (single or multiple-entry).

In October 2024, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a reduction in immigration targets, decreasing from 500,000 new permanent residents in 2025 and 2026 to 395,000 and 380,000, respectively, with a further decline to 365,000 in 2027.

Jennifer Cowan contributed to this report.

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