Canada is making Changes to open work permit eligibility for spouses of international students

The Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that in the upcoming weeks, it will make changes to the eligibility criteria for open work permits allowed to the spouses and common-law partners of international students. An open work permit allows people to work for any employer, with the exception of those listed as ineligible or excluded due to non-compliance with specified conditions.

Open work permits are not tied to a particular job, meaning employers are not required to acquire a labour market impact assessment from ESDC (Employment and Social Development Canada) or provide proof of an offer of job through the Employer Portal along with the employer compliance fee. Usually, individuals are required paying the open work permit holder fee alongside the work permit fee.

Who can get an open work permit after new changes?

• Only spouses and common-law partners of foreign students enrolled in graduate (master’s and doctorate) and professional degree programs are eligible.

• Following the enactment of these changes, spouses and common-law partners of international students aiming to renew their existing work permit will remain eligible within this category.

Who will not be eligible for an open work permit?

The Spouses or common-law partners of international students enrolled in programs at other educational levels, i.e. undergraduate and college programs, will lose eligibility for an open work permit, provided they already possess one within this category.

Also read- Study in Canada: Colleges, Scholarships, Fees, Courses

Who can apply for an open work permit?

You may be eligible for an open work permit if you:

• are a foreign student who graduated from a designated learning institution and are eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program
• are a student who’s no longer able to fulfil the costs of your studies (destitute student)
• have an employer-specific work permit and are being abused or at risk of being abused in relation to your job in Canada
• are a dependent family member of someone who applied for permanent residence
• are the spouse, common-law partner or dependent child of a low- or high-skilled worker
• are the spouse or common-law partner of an international student
• are the spouse or common-law partner of an applicant of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program or the Atlantic Immigration Program
• are a refugee, refugee claimant, protected person or their family member
• are under an unenforceable removal order
• are a temporary resident permit holder
• are a young worker participating in special programs
• are in Canada and being sponsored as a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner or accompanying dependent child

Under each of above situations, you must fulfil added criteria to be eligible.

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Extended Post-Graduation Work Permits Now Available for Master’s Students in Canada

To confirm the latest immigration updates and apply for relevant visa in Canada in 2024, you may get in touch with qualified and trusted Visa and Immigration Expert at Visas Avenue on Toll-Free No. 78-18-000-777 or you can drop us an e-mail at info@visasavenue.com.

- Rajneesh Kumar