Lifetime emigration policies and options for reuniting families entice foreign students and workers to Canada. But some recent harsh restrictions have made it difficult for many to live and work with their families, thus curbing the opportunity for having the work permit. This action by the national government is based on the application volume and the workforce requirements.
Changes in the Spousal Open Work Permit Rules
Under the new conditions, more severe conviction might be seen in two ways among spouses of foreign students and foreign workers applying for a work permit. Previously, there was an open work grant available for any student and spouse in a foreign university program, including undergraduate assignments. Now, only spouses of students in specific postgraduate studies as well as Ph.D. and high-demand professional programs will be eligible.
Similarly, the conditions for foreign workers have simply reduced from the previous. Spouses of any worker–temporary worker, or IMP worker–could apply for an open work permit before the revised provisions.
Under the new regulations, however, only spouses of foreign workers engaged in higher-skilled professions, specifically TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) 0, 1, 2, and 3 categories are entitled for such permit. This explicitly means those in any low wage or below semi-skilled category would not qualify.
Impact on International Students and Foreign Workers
With Jeff Sessions’ oath to significantly mobile thousands of families before their departure, the policy change leaves several families in psychological drift, rueing the partnership on their arrival in Canada They rely on the spousal open work permits to keep themselves economically off and running along clearly with their education pursuits or greater job. The restrictions may force spouses not meeting the changed edicts to get rejections for work permission and thus sink into financial predicaments.
The new rules may influence students’ decision-making on academic migrations, as this partly encompasses concerns about finance for international education choices. Similarly, foreign worker restrictions impact labor mobility in attracting skilled talent to Canada.
Application Process and Transition Period
The new regulations have not changed the application process for spousal open work permits for eligible applicants. Spouses are allowed to apply for the work permits online through the Electronic Application System of Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (CIC) with proof of study or employment from the employer or institution. Processing times are dependent on IRCC operational updates.
Applicants whose applications were submitted under the previous program before the regulation changes were made are expected to be considered under the prior eligibility criteria. Fresh applications will be required to observe the set requirements.
Future Repercussions and Policy Inferences
Narrowing of spousal open work permit regulations points fingers at Canada’s larger policy line of juggling immigration quotas to match labor market demands. The government, trying to see that work permits correspond with job aspirations, has faced critics that the resultant policies will disadvantage the working families and diminish the Canadian appeal for global talent.
The full extent of these enactments remains to be seen, but future students and workers should stay alert to these changes. It is imperative to comprehend the new rules and prepare for study or work in Canada alongside families.