As of October 2025, the Open Work Permit (OWP) Programme has been substantially redefined, including new rules and eligibility requirements designed to simplify the application process and to focus the support on high-skilled workers and their families. OWP is an extremely popular route followed by foreign that want to be employed by any Canadian employer without conducting a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). These changes increase the ability of Canada to attract and retain talents at the same time balancing the goals of immigration and the labour market goals.
New Rules Effective October 2025
The 2025 changes apply to certain groups of applicants to OWPs, namely, spouses and common-law partners of foreign employees in jobs classified as high-skilled TEER 0, 1, and some TEER 2 and 3 and international students in Master and PhD courses. The new rules have eliminated eligibility among working-age dependent children. It is now accepted online, increasing the processing efficiency and accessibility. The deadline has also been pushed and can be submitted up to December 31, 2026.
Who Can get the Updated Open Work Permit?
– Husbands or common-law partners to skilled foreign workers in TEER 0 or TEER 1 jobs, and in some cases in qualified TEER 2 or TEER 3 jobs.
– International students must be enrolled in a Master or PhD program at an approved institution in Canada and must be accompanied by a partner.
– New foreign graduates with specific learning credentials or qualification awarded by designated learning institutions (DLIs).
– persons who have submitted applications to be granted permanent residence through selected immigration programmes.
– Aliens whose health, security, and identity are verified, and who are in temporary residence status or may be restored to such status.
The Application of an Open Work Permit in 2025
An OWP application follows the following steps:
1. Check Eligibility Check under the new TEER categories or student status.
2. Pack Documents, Identity Docs, Proof of Relationship, Employment, Evidence of Enrolment in Study, Evidence of Language proficiency where necessary, Medical and Police clearances.
3. Application Online- Fill out the form and pay the application fee on the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) site.
4. Full Biometrics- Visit a special centre in case of any biometrics request by IRCC.
5. Check Your Application Status- Check in on your application with your online IRCC account and answer any further information requests in time.
6. Letter of Introduction issuance is determined by Receive Permit Approval when applying outside of Canada, or direct when applying within the country.
Advantages and Flexibility of the Open Work Permit
OWP permits a holder to work with any Canadian employer within the validity of his permit, there will never be need of an LMIA; and the flexibility of jobs offered are favorable as a family settles to Canadian life. This visa is helping to empower the economy of Canada as it is reducing the labour shortage but also making the integrations of the migrants easier.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligibility Focus | Spouses of TEER 0/1 workers, grad students |
| Application Deadline | December 31, 2026 |
| Application Method | Online only |
| Employment Freedom | Work for any employer without LMIA |
| Excluded Groups | Working-age dependent children |
FAQs
Q: Can all foreign workers have a spouse who is entitled to an open work permit?
No, only spouses of workers in selected high-skilled jobs or students who are qualified.
Q2: Do working-age dependent children qualify to receive OWPs?
No, working-age dependent children did not lose eligibility under the new guidelines.
Q3: What to do about open work permit?
Applications should be made via the IRCC portal and the paperwork will be sent online.