Open work permit for spouses and family of foreign workers and students
narrowed since 21 Jan 2025 · Official name: Open work permits for family members of foreign workers / spouses of international students
Some spouses and common-law partners of foreign workers and international students can get an open work permit that lets them work for almost any employer. Since 21 Jan 2025 the rules are much narrower: for workers not on a path to permanent residence, only spouses of people in TEER 0 or 1 jobs or select TEER 2 or 3 jobs qualify, and the worker's permit must have at least 16 months left; their dependent children no longer qualify. For students, only spouses of people in master's programs of 16 months or longer, doctoral programs and select professional programs qualify. Wider rules apply to families of workers who applied for, or are on a path to, permanent residence.
3 entry rules for Canada based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Entry refused after a stay in DR Congo in the last 21 days
If you're not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and you've been in DR Congo in the last 21 days, you can't enter Canada, board a flight to Canada or connect through a Canadian airport, unless you fall under an exemption.
In force until November 27, 2026
Ebola disease: Border measures for travellers entering Canada (PHAC, page date 2026-10-08) New Temporary Border Measures in Response to the Ebola Disease Outbreak (PHAC, 19 Jul 2026) Government of Canada extends temporary border measures in response to Ebola disease outbreak (PHAC, Aug 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Quarantine after a stay in DR Congo, Uganda, South Sudan in the last 21 days
If you're allowed into Canada after being in DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the last 21 days, you'll get a health check on arrival and must quarantine for 21 days, report to public health within 48 hours and check your temperature every day.
In force until November 27, 2026
Ebola disease: Border measures for travellers entering Canada (PHAC) Government of Canada introduces temporary border measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak (PHAC, 26 May 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Visa applications paused after a stay in DR Congo, Uganda, South Sudan
If the last country you lived in, as stated on your application, is DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan, Canada has suspended visitor visas, eTAs and permanent resident visas and paused new decisions. This depends on where you live, not your nationality.
In force until November 27, 2026
Ebola disease: Temporary measures (IRCC, page date 2026-09-28) Government of Canada introduces temporary border measures (PHAC, 26 May 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
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Who it’s for
Spouses or common-law partners (and in some categories dependent children) of foreign workers or international students in Canada who meet the narrowed 2025 rules.
Eligibility
Spouses of high-skilled workers not on a PR pathwaySpouse of a worker
Sign in to check this route against your profileOnly spouses or common-law partners of workers in certain skilled jobs can apply, and the worker's permit must stay valid long enough.
From 21 January 202516 months
Worker permit validity needed · after IRCC receives application
- Worker must be in TEER 0 or 1, or select TEER 2 or 3
- Occupation is checked when the spouse applies
- Children and grandchildren of these workers are no longer eligible
- Not available if the principal is a study permit student
What these codes mean (4)
- TEER 0
- Management occupations
- TEER 1
- Usually require a university degree
- TEER 2
- Usually require a college diploma, apprenticeship training of 2 or more years, or are supervisory occupations
- TEER 3
- Usually require a college diploma, apprenticeship training of less than 2 years, or more than 6 months of on-the-job training
Official wording
Since 21 Jan 2025, only select spouses or common-law partners: the worker must be in any TEER 0 or 1 occupation, or a select TEER 2 or 3 occupation, when the spouse applies, and the worker's permit or authorisation must be valid for at least 16 months after IRCC receives the spouse's application. Dependent children and grandchildren of these workers are no longer eligible. Not available if the principal is an international student on a study permit.
Families of workers who applied for permanent residence or are on a PR pathwayFamily of a PR-pathway worker
Sign in to check this route against your profileFamily members of workers who applied for permanent residence or are on a PR pathway may apply, if the worker's permit stays valid long enough.
6 months
Worker permit validity needed · after IRCC receives application
- Worker applied through an eligible economic program, e.g. PNP, Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class
- Examples: PNP nomination, CSQ, Start-up Visa, Atlantic Immigration Program
- Dependent children can be eligible in these categories
What these codes mean (2)
- TEER 4
- Usually require a high school diploma, or several weeks of on-the-job training
- TEER 5
- Usually need short-term work demonstration and no formal education
Official wording
Family members may be eligible if the worker applied for permanent residence through an eligible economic program or pilot (e.g. Provincial Nominee Program, Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class), or is on a pathway to permanent residence in a TEER 4 or 5 job (e.g. PNP nomination, CSQ, Start-up Visa, Atlantic Immigration Program). The worker's permit must be valid for at least 6 months after IRCC receives the family member's application. Dependent children can be eligible in these categories.
Families of low-skilled workers not on a PR pathway: not eligible
Sign in to check this route against your profileFamily of TEER 4 or 5 workers who are not on a PR pathway cannot get an open work permit under this measure.
From 21 January 2025- Those already in Canada may still apply to extend
What these codes mean (2)
- TEER 4
- Usually require a high school diploma, or several weeks of on-the-job training
- TEER 5
- Usually need short-term work demonstration and no formal education
Official wording
Since 21 Jan 2025, family members of TEER 4 or 5 workers who are not on a PR pathway cannot get an open work permit under this measure. Those already in Canada may still apply to extend.
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Official sources
- IRCC: Open work permits for family members of foreign workers - Who can apply (page date 2026-06-12)
- IRCC: Open work permits for family members - How to apply
- IRCC notice: Changes to open work permits for family members of temporary residents (14 Jan 2025)
- IRCC: Spouses of temporary workers who applied under Quebec's PSTQ
- IRCC: Fee list (page date 2026-09-21)
Other routes to Canada
- Visit & tourismSuper visa for parents and grandparents
- StudyStudy permit
- Skilled migrationAtlantic Immigration Program
- 3 more routes with Premium
Work permits in other countries
- Central African RepublicLong-stay visa (visa long séjour, 45-90 days) for work, business and other purposes
- Republic of the CongoOrdinary resident card (carte de résident ordinaire), including for salaried workers
- SwitzerlandWork and residence permit for non-EU/EFTA nationals
- 3 more routes with Premium
