January 11, 2023

Changes to eligibility to work in Canada for spouses, common-law partners and dependent children of work permit holders

Temporary Foreign Workers with LMIA based work permit as well as Post Graduation Work Permit holders will benefit from these changes.

Starting on January 30, 2023, we’ll expand eligibility to work in Canada to spouses and dependent children of most work permit holders at all skill levels.

Starting on January 30, 2023, Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will expand eligibility to work in Canada to spouses and dependent children of most work permit holders at all skill levels. You may be eligible for an open work permit if you’re a
  • spouse, common-law partner or dependent child of a work permit holder who:
  • works in a job of any Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) category (0 to 5), or 
  • is the principal applicant and has an open work permit (example: post-graduation work permit holders at all skill levels)
  • spouse, common-law partner or dependent child of an economic classes permanent resident applicant who holds a work permit
Currently, PGWP holders need to be working for a job classified as NOC 0, A or B in order apply or extend the spouse's Open Work Permit. With these changes, spouse and their working age dependent children of PGWP holders at all skill level will be eligible to apply for Open Work Permit!