Navigating Open Work Permit Changes for High-Skilled Workers: What You Need to Know as of January 2025

As of January 21, 2025, the rules for open work permits for families of high-skilled workers in Canada are undergoing significant changes. These updates may affect the eligibility of your family members, particularly dependent children and their children, to apply for open work permits under this measure. Here’s a detailed breakdown to help you navigate these changes and ensure compliance with the updated regulations.

Key Changes Effective January 21, 2025

1. Restricted Eligibility for Dependent Children
   After January 21, 2025, dependent children and their dependent children are no longer eligible to apply for an open work permit under this measure.
2. Extensions for Family Members
   In certain cases, family members already holding open work permits issued under this measure may still be eligible to apply for an extension, even after the January 2025 deadline.

Spouses and Common-Law Partners of High-Skilled Workers

Spouses or common-law partners of high-skilled workers may still qualify for open work permits. However, both the principal applicant and their spouse or common-law partner must meet specific requirements.

Principal Applicant Requirements

As a high-skilled worker, you must meet the following criteria for your spouse or common-law partner to qualify:

1. Valid Work Authorization
   You must have one of the following:
   • A valid work permit (exceptions apply).
   • An approval for a work permit that hasn’t been issued yet (e.g., a port of entry letter of introduction).
   • Authorization to work without a work permit (exceptions apply).
2. Duration of Work Authorization
   Your work permit or authorized work must be valid for at least 16 months from the date your spouse or common-law partner submits their open work permit application.
3. Residency Requirement
   You must be living or planning to live in Canada while working.
4. Eligible Occupation
   You must be employed (or plan to be employed) in one of the following:
   • A high-skilled occupation under TEER category 0 (management) or TEER category 1 (professional) of the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system.
   • A select high-skilled occupation under TEER category 2 or TEER category 3 at the time your spouse or common-law partner applies.

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Eligible TEER 2 and TEER 3 Occupations

Canada has defined specific high-skilled occupations within the TEER 2 and TEER 3 categories that qualify under this measure. These occupations span a wide range of industries, including engineering, health services, education, and trades.

TEER 2 Occupations

1. Chemical technologists and technicians (22100)
2. Geological and mineral technologists and technicians (22101)
3. Biological technologists and technicians (22110)
4. Agricultural and fish products inspectors (22111)
5. Forestry technologists and technicians (22112)
6. Conservation and fishery officers (22113)
7. Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists (22114)
8. Architectural technologists and technicians (22210)
9. Industrial designers (22211)
10. Drafting technologists and technicians (22212)
11. Land survey technologists and technicians (22213)
12. Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology (22214)
13. Computer network and web technicians (22220)
14. User support technicians (22221)
15. Information systems testing technicians (22222)
16. Non-destructive testers and inspectors (22230)
17. Engineering inspectors and regulatory officers (22231)
18. Occupational health and safety specialists (22232)
19. Construction inspectors (22233)
20. Civil engineering technologists and technicians (22300)
21. Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians (22301)
22. Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians (22302)
23. Construction estimators (22303)
24. Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians (22310)
25. Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment) (22311)
26. Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics (22312)
27. Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors (22313)
28. Opticians (32100)
29. Licensed practical nurses (32101)
30. Paramedical occupations (32102)
31. Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists (32103)
32. Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians (32104)
33. Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment (32109)
34. Denturists (32110)
35. Dental hygienists and dental therapists (32111)
36. Dental technologists and technicians (32112)
37. Medical laboratory technologists (32120)
38. Medical radiation technologists (32121)
39. Medical sonographers (32122)
40. Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists (32123)
41. Pharmacy technicians (32124)
42. Other medical technologists and technicians (32129)
43. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists (32200)
44. Massage therapists (32201)
45. Other practitioners of natural healing (32209)
46. Specialized members of the Canadian Armed Forces (42102)
47. Early childhood educators and assistants (42202)
48. Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations (72010)
49. Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations (72011)
50. Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades (72012)
51. Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades (72013)
52. Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers (72014)
53. Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades (72020)
54. Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews (72021)
55. Supervisors, printing and related occupations (72022)
56. Supervisors, railway transport operations (72023)
57. Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators (72024)
58. Supervisors, mail and message distribution occupations (72025)

TEER 3 Occupations

1. Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants (33100)
2. Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations (33101)
3. Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (33102)
4. Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants (33103)
5. Other assisting occupations in support of health services (33109)
6. Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants (43100)
7. Operations members of the Canadian Armed Forces (43204)
8. Athletes (53200)
9. Coaches (53201)
10. Concrete finishers (73100)
11. Tilesetters (73101)
12. Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers (73102)
13. Roofers and shinglers (73110)
14. Glaziers (73111)
15. Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) (73112)
16. Floor covering installers (73113)
17. Residential and commercial installers and servicers (73200)
18. General building maintenance workers and building superintendents (73201)
19. Pest controllers and fumigators (73202)
20. Other repairers and servicers (73209)
21. Transport truck drivers (73300)
22. Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators (73301)
23. Railway and yard locomotive engineers (73310)
24. Railway conductors and brakemen/women (73311)
25. Heavy equipment operators (73400)
26. Printing press operators (73401)
27. Drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction (73402)
28. Underground production and development miners (83100)
29. Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers (83101)
30. Logging machinery operators (83110)
31. Fishing masters and officers (83120)
32. Fishermen/women (83121)

Next Steps for High-Skilled Workers

1. Verify Eligibility
   Ensure you meet the requirements for your spouse or common-law partner to apply for an open work permit. Pay close attention to your work permit validity and occupation classification.
2. Apply for Extensions
   If your family members already hold open work permits under this measure, check if they qualify for an extension.
3. Plan Ahead
   If your family’s eligibility changes under the new rules, consult an immigration expert to explore alternative pathways or solutions.

Expert Support for Navigating These Changes

The new regulations can be complex and may require tailored solutions based on your family’s specific circumstances. At StepUp Immigration, we specialize in helping high-skilled workers and their families navigate Canadian immigration policies. Whether you need assistance with work permit applications, extensions, or understanding your options, we’re here to guide you.

Contact us today to ensure a smooth transition for you and your loved ones under the updated rules.

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