Canada New Open Work Permit Regulations 2025: What’s New?
Canada is globally renowned for its open policy and liberal immigration policy for foreign workers, international students, and their dependents. But from January 21, 2025, Canada’s policy regarding the Open Work Permit (OWP) is changing dramatically. Canada’s New Open Work Permit Restrictions 2025 will affect foreign workers’ and international students’ families the most who were previously eligible to work under the OWP.
The main motive behind such new rules is to cater to Canada’s continuing economic needs i.e., housing shortage and labour market saturation. Such reforms have been brought forward on the backdrop of the future needs so that Canada’s economy and immigration system remain in equilibrium.
What is an Open Work Permit and how does it operate?
The Open Work Permit (OWP) is a visa that allows eligible individuals to work for any employer in Canadawithout a mandatory job offer or a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Thus, the OWP has been a go-to option, especially for spouses of foreign students and workers who are living in Canada. But now that the new 2025 limitsare being enforced, spouses only will be able to utilize the OWP. Previously, the service could be utilized by spouses, dependent children and grandchildren, but children and grandchildren are not being considered now.
New OWP Eligibility & Restrictions 2025- Overview
| Post Title | Canada New Open Work Permit Restrictions 2025 |
| Year | 2025 |
| Country | Canada |
| Name of the Permit | Open Work Permit |
| Category | Work Permit |
| Effective Date | 21st January 2025 |
| Changes To OWP | Changes in the Eligibility |
| Former Applicants | Spouses, children |
| What Excludes | Children and Grandchildren |
| Who’s Now Eligible | Only Spouses |
| Category | Finance |
| Official Web Page | www.canada.ca |
What are new restrictions of OWP 2025?
International students’ spouses: New policies
Only spouses of international students will be eligible for OWP whose spouses learn in the following specified programs now:
1. Doctoral Programs (PhD)
2. Minimum 16 months or more master’s degree programs
3. Specific professional degree programs such as:
Nursing (Bachelor of Nursing Science – BNSc, BScN)
Dental Surgery (DMD, DDS)
Medicine (Doctor of Medicine – MD)
Law (LLB, JD, BCL)
Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
-Optometry (OD)
Pharmacy (BPharma, BS, PharmD)
Education (BEd)
Engineering (BEng, BASc, BE)
Eligible Programs by Province:
Any eligible program provided here:
| Province | Eligibility Period | Program Name |
| British Columbia | From 21st Jan, 2025 | Internationally Educated Midwives Bridging Program from University of B.C. Canadian Pharmacy Practice Program from University of B.C.Post Degree Diploma in Nursing Practice from Langara College |
| Manitoba | From 21st Jan, 2025 | Nurse Re Entry from Red River College Polytechnic. |
| Ontario | From 21st Jan, 2025 | Supervised Practice Experience Partnership |
| Outside of Quebec | From 26th August, 2025 | FMCSP |
New regulations for foreign workers’ spouses
Now OWP will be granted to the spouses of foreign workers only if their profession falls under the following categorie
TEER 0: Management professions
TEER 1: University degree requirement jobs
TEER (some major industries):
Healthcare
Construction
Education
Natural Resources
Sports
Military Sector
Also, while applying for OWP, the foreign worker’s work permit must **have at least 16 months validity**. Now Dependent foreign workers’ children will not be given OWP.
Effect of new rules
Foreign students and foreign workers will find it very difficult with these new rules.
Student spouses who are studying less specialized or shorter courses will no longer be given OWP.
Foreigners are not allowed to bring their family members to Canada for settlement.
The Canadian government believes that these kinds of regulations will reduce OWP applications in the next three years, thereby reducing **housing problems and labour market pressur*.
Canada New Open Work Permit Restrictions 2025 – FAQs
Q.What are the new OWP restrictions?
A.Now OWP will be reserved for spouses of foreign workers and international students. This is not for grandchildren and children.
Q.Are dependent children eligible for OWP?
A.Are dependent children eligible for OWP?
Q.When will the new rules take effect?
A.January 21, 2025.
Q.Will this affect the old OWP?
A. January 21. 2