Open Work Permit for Family Members of Foreign Workers in Canda
Open Work Permit for Family Members of Foreign Workers in Canada
Eligibility Requirements for Family Members
Your family member may qualify for an open work permit under this temporary measure if you are a foreign worker in Canada and meet the following conditions:
Principal Foreign Worker Requirements
High-skilled worker
Work Authorization
You must have one of the following:
- A valid work permit (some exceptions apply).
- Approval for a work permit that hasn’t been issued yet (port of entry letter of introduction).
- Authorization to work without a work permit.
Work Duration
Your work permit or authorized work must remain valid for at least six months after the date your family member submits their open work permit application.
Employment in a High-Skilled Occupation
You must be employed (or have confirmed employment) in a high-skilled occupation, classified under the Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system.
Residency in Canada
You must live in Canada or plan to live in Canada while working.
Exceptions to Eligibility
Your family members will not be eligible for an open work permit under this measure if any of the following apply to you (the principal foreign worker):
- You’ve made a refugee claim that has been referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board.
- You’re subject to an unenforceable removal order.
- You’re an international student participating in a co-op program.
- You’re an international student working off-campus without a work permit.
- You’re applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) but haven’t received a positive decision on your application when a decision is made on your family member’s application.
- You hold a spousal open work permit.
Open Work Permit for Family Members of Low-Skilled Foreign Workers
Eligibility Requirements for Family Members
Your family member may be eligible to apply for an open work permit under this measure if you are a foreign worker in Canada and meet the following criteria:
Principal Foreign Worker Requirements
Low-skilled worker
Work Authorization
You must have one of the following:
- A valid work permit (some exceptions apply).
- Approval for a work permit that hasn’t been issued yet.
- Authorization to work without a work permit.
Work Duration
Your work permit must remain valid in Canada for at least six months after the date your family member submits their open work permit application.
Employment in a Low-Skilled Occupation
You must be employed (or have confirmed employment) in a low-skilled occupation, classified under the Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) categories 4 or 5 of the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system.
Residency in Canada
You must live in Canada or plan to live in Canada while working.
Additional Requirements for Work Permit Holders under the Agri-Food Pilot
Your family members are eligible to apply for an open work permit if you (the principal applicant) meet the four requirements above and the following conditions:
- You hold a labour market impact assessment (LMIA)-based work permit in the agriculture or low-wage stream of the Agri-Food Pilot.
- You’ve received an acknowledgment of receipt letter from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirming that your application for permanent residence is complete.
Who’s Not Eligible at This Time
Your family members are not eligible for an open work permit under this measure if any of the following apply to you (the principal applicant):
- You hold a work permit under the low-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
- You hold a work permit under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program.
- You hold a work permit under the agricultural stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
- You’ve made a refugee claim that has been referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board.
- You’re subject to an unenforceable removal order.
- You’re an international student participating in a co-op program.
- You’re an international student working off-campus without a work permit.
- You’re applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) but haven’t received a positive decision on your application when a decision is made on your family member’s application.
