Canada Tightens Rules: Open Work Permits Only for the Selected Few — What Should Migrants Do Now?

Starting January 21, 2025, Canada introduced new restrictions on obtaining Open Work Permits (OWP) for family members of international students and temporary foreign workers. This significant policy shift will impact thousands of families planning to move to Canada for education or employment purposes.

Previously, the OWP offered broad opportunities: the spouse of an international student could work in any field without being tied to a specific employer or profession. However, now, amid the growing demand for professionals in certain sectors, Canada has decided to revise its approach — focusing on attracting highly qualified talent and limiting access to the OWP to select categories only.

In this article, you will learn who is eligible for a work permit under the new rules, how these changes affect potential migrants, and what alternatives European countries offer to those wishing to work legally abroad. Read on to make informed decisions.

New Rules for Families of International Students

As of January 2025, Canada has significantly changed the rules for international students who previously had the option to bring their spouse and grant them the right to work legally under an Open Work Permit (OWP). Now, this option is available only to a limited group of students.

Spouses are eligible for an OWP only if the student is enrolled in:

• Master’s programs lasting at least 16 months;

• Doctoral (PhD) programs at accredited institutions;

• Professional programs leading to qualifications in high-demand fields such as medicine, law, engineering, education, and social services.

Spouses of students enrolled in short-term courses, language schools, or programs not leading to a professional qualification are no longer eligible for an open work permit. This also means losing the opportunity to work freely in any field without being tied to an employer.

These changes significantly impact the plans of many families who viewed studying in Canada as the first step toward long-term immigration. As a result, more and more candidates are turning their attention to alternative destinations — particularly legal employment opportunities in European countries, where such restrictions are either nonexistent or much more lenient.

Changes for Families of Temporary Foreign Workers

Spouses of temporary workers can only receive an OWP if the main applicant:

• Works in sectors with labor shortages (such as healthcare, engineering, IT, construction, energy, etc.);

• Holds a valid work permit with at least 16 months of remaining validity at the time of applying for the spouse’s OWP.

Dependent children are no longer eligible for an OWP.

Conclusion

Canada’s immigration policy update is yet another reminder that rules are constantly evolving, and successful migration requires a clear plan and a reliable partner. While Canada tightens its requirements, European countries continue to actively welcome foreign labor.

GLW specializes in the legal employment of citizens from South Asia and Africa in European countries. Every day we receive new job openings in construction, logistics, healthcare, service, and manufacturing — with fair pay and clear conditions. Our team matches vacancies to your experience, prepares documents, and supports you at every step.