Table of Contents
Who Can Apply
Open work permit for family of foreign workers in Canada: As of January 21, 2025, the eligibility requirements have changed. This guide explains the revised rules and helps determine if your spouse, partner, or dependent children qualify.
What Changed January 21, 2025
- Applications received before January 21, 2025 will be processed under previous criteria.
- Already approved open work permits remain valid if unexpired.
- New applications must comply with the updated eligibility rules.
Eligibility Criteria for the Principal Applicant
You’re a Temporary Foreign Worker Who Applied for Permanent Residence
You may sponsor your family if:
- You hold a valid or approved work permit (open or employer-specific).
- Your work permit is valid for at least 6 months after your family applies.
- You live and work in Canada.
- Your permit was issued due to applying for a permanent residence economic program or pilot.
You’re on a PR Pathway but Haven’t Applied Yet
You and your family may qualify if:
- You have a valid or approved work permit.
- Your work permit is valid for at least 6 months after application.
- You work in a TEER 4 or 5 (low-skilled) occupation.
- You’re on a pathway to PR.
- You live or plan to live in Canada.
Work Permit Holders Under the Agri-Food Pilot
You may sponsor your family if:
- You meet the five requirements above.
- You have an LMIA-based work permit in the agriculture or low-wage stream.
- You’ve received an Acknowledgment of Receipt for your PR application.
Work Permit Holders Under a Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
- Spouses or partners may be eligible for spousal open work permits under certain FTAs.
- If ineligible under FTA, they may qualify under this measure if other criteria are met.
Family Member Eligibility Requirements
Relationship & General Requirements
Family members must:
- Be your spouse, common-law partner, dependent child, or grandchild.
- Meet general work permit eligibility criteria.
- Dependent children cannot be the principal applicant.
Residency Status in Canada
To apply from within Canada, they must:
- Have valid temporary resident status; OR
- Have applied to extend their status (maintained status); OR
- Be eligible for restoration of status as a visitor, worker, or student.
High-Skilled Workers (Not on PR Pathway)
As of January 21, 2025:
- Only spouses or common-law partners of high-skilled workers may be eligible.
- Dependent children and their children are no longer eligible.
Additional Requirements for High-Skilled Workers
You must:
- Hold a valid work permit, an approval, or authorization to work.
- Have work authorization valid for 16 months after your spouse or partner applies.
- Live or plan to live in Canada.
- Be employed in:
- Any TEER 0 or 1 occupation; OR
- A select TEER 2 or 3 occupation (full list below).
Full List: Select High-Skilled Occupations in TEER 2 and TEER 3
🧱 TEER 2 – Select High-Skilled Occupations
| NOC Code | Occupation Title |
|---|---|
| 22100 | Chemical technologists and technicians |
| 22101 | Geological and mineral technologists and technicians |
| 22110 | Biological technologists and technicians |
| 22111 | Agricultural and fish products inspectors |
| 22112 | Forestry technologists and technicians |
| 22113 | Conservation and fishery officers |
| 22114 | Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists |
| 22210 | Architectural technologists and technicians |
| 22211 | Industrial designers |
| 22212 | Drafting technologists and technicians |
| 22213 | Land survey technologists and technicians |
| 22214 | Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology |
| 22220 | Computer network and web technicians |
| 22221 | User support technicians |
| 22222 | Information systems testing technicians |
| 22230 | Non-destructive testers and inspectors |
| 22231 | Engineering inspectors and regulatory officers |
| 22232 | Occupational health and safety specialists |
| 22233 | Construction inspectors |
| 22300 | Civil engineering technologists and technicians |
| 22301 | Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians |
| 22302 | Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians |
| 22303 | Construction estimators |
| 22310 | Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians |
| 22311 | Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment) |
| 22312 | Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics |
| 22313 | Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors |
| 32100 | Opticians |
| 32101 | Licensed practical nurses |
| 32102 | Paramedical occupations |
| 32103 | Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists |
| 32104 | Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians |
| 32109 | Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment |
| 32110 | Denturists |
| 32111 | Dental hygienists and dental therapists |
| 32112 | Dental technologists and technicians |
| 32120 | Medical laboratory technologists |
| 32121 | Medical radiation technologists |
| 32122 | Medical sonographers |
| 32123 | Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists |
| 32124 | Pharmacy technicians |
| 32129 | Other medical technologists and technicians |
| 32200 | Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists |
| 32201 | Massage therapists |
| 32209 | Other practitioners of natural healing |
| 42102 | Specialized members of the Canadian Armed Forces |
| 42202 | Early childhood educators and assistants |
| 72010 | Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations |
| 72011 | Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations |
| 72012 | Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades |
| 72013 | Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades |
| 72014 | Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers |
| 72020 | Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades |
| 72021 | Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews |
| 72022 | Supervisors, printing and related occupations |
| 72023 | Supervisors, railway transport operations |
| 72024 | Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators |
| 72025 | Supervisors, mail and message distribution occupations |
| 72100 | Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors |
| 72101 | Tool and die makers |
| 72102 | Sheet metal workers |
| 72103 | Boilermakers |
| 72104 | Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters |
| 72105 | Ironworkers |
| 72106 | Welders and related machine operators |
| 72200 | Electricians (except industrial and power system) |
| 72201 | Industrial electricians |
| 72202 | Power system electricians |
| 72203 | Electrical power line and cable workers |
| 72204 | Telecommunications line and cable installers and repairers |
| 72205 | Telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technicians |
| 72300 | Plumbers |
| 72301 | Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers |
| 72302 | Gas fitters |
| 72310 | Carpenters |
| 72311 | Cabinetmakers |
| 72320 | Bricklayers |
| 72321 | Insulators |
| 72400 | Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics |
| 72401 | Heavy-duty equipment mechanics |
| 72402 | Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics |
| 72403 | Railway carmen/women |
| 72404 | Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors |
| 72405 | Machine fitters |
| 72406 | Elevator constructors and mechanics |
| 72410 | Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers |
| 72411 | Auto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians and damage repair estimators |
| 72420 | Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics |
| 72421 | Appliance servicers and repairers |
| 72422 | Electrical mechanics |
| 72423 | Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics |
| 72429 | Other small engine and small equipment repairers |
| 72500 | Crane operators |
| 72501 | Water well drillers |
| 72600 | Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors |
| 72601 | Air traffic controllers and related occupations |
| 72602 | Deck officers, water transport |
| 72603 | Engineer officers, water transport |
| 72604 | Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators |
| 72999 | Other technical trades and related occupations |
| 82010 | Supervisors, logging and forestry |
| 82020 | Supervisors, mining and quarrying |
| 82021 | Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services |
| 82030 | Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors |
| 82031 | Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services |
🛠️ TEER 3 – Select High-Skilled Occupations
| NOC Code | Occupation Title |
|---|---|
| 33100 | Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants |
| 33101 | Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations |
| 33102 | Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates |
| 33103 | Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants |
| 33109 | Other assisting occupations in support of health services |
| 43100 | Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants |
| 43204 | Operations Members of the Canadian Armed Forces |
| 53200 | Athletes |
| 53201 | Coaches |
| 73100 | Concrete finishers |
| 73101 | Tilesetters |
| 73102 | Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers |
| 73110 | Roofers and shinglers |
| 73111 | Glaziers |
| 73112 | Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) |
| 73113 | Floor covering installers |
| 73200 | Residential and commercial installers and servicers |
| 73201 | General building maintenance workers and building superintendents |
| 73202 | Pest controllers and fumigators |
| 73209 | Other repairers and servicers |
| 73300 | Transport truck drivers |
| 73301 | Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators |
| 73310 | Railway and yard locomotive engineers |
| 73311 | Railway conductors and brakemen/women |
| 73400 | Heavy equipment operators |
| 73401 | Printing press operators |
| 73402 | Drillers and blasters – surface mining, quarrying and construction |
| 83100 | Underground production and development miners |
| 83101 | Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers |
| 83110 | Logging machinery operators |
| 83120 | Fishing masters and officers |
| 83121 | Fishermen/women |
Who’s Not Eligible
You cannot sponsor family if:
- You’ve made a refugee claim referred to the IRB.
- You’re under an unenforceable removal order.
- You’re an international student (co-op, off-campus, or post-grad work permit pending).
- You hold a spousal open work permit.
Work Permit Extensions for In-Canada Family Members
Your family can extend their open work permit if:
- They’re in Canada.
- Their permit is shorter than yours.
- They apply before expiry.
- Their passport and biometrics allow for the full extension period.
Example: Your permit is valid until March 2027, but your spouse’s expires March 2026 due to passport expiry. Renew the passport, then apply to extend the permit.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide
- Confirm your eligibility as the principal applicant.
- Assess your family member’s status and relationship eligibility.
- Gather supporting documents:
- Relationship evidence (marriage certificate, birth certificate)
- Copies of your work permit and PR proof
- Proof of in-Canada status (if applicable)
- Submit the work permit application online or on paper.
- Pay fees and submit biometrics.
- Await decision while maintaining valid status.
Meta Description: Find out who can apply for open work permits for family members of foreign workers in Canada. Includes full eligibility rules as of Jan 21, 2025.
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