15/01/2025
Effective January 21, 2025, only spouses of certain international students and foreign workers will be able to apply for a family OWP.
Family OWPs will be limited to spouses of international students who are enrolled in
๐masterโs programs that are 16 months or longer
๐doctoral programs, or
๐select professional and eligible programs (below)
Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS, DMD)
Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor (LLB, JD, BCL)
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Doctor of Optometry (OD)
Pharmacy (PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm)
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN, BSN)
Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc)
Bachelor of Nursing (BN)
Bachelor of Education (BEd)
Bachelor of Engineering (BEng, BE, BASc)
Family OWPs will also be limited to spouses of foreign workers who are employed in
๐TEER 0 or 1 occupations, or
๐select TEER 2 or 3 occupations in sectors with labour shortages or linked to government priorities
๐These include occupations in the natural and applied sciences, construction, health care, natural resources, education, sports and military sectors. The full list will be available on January 21, 2025.
In addition, the foreign worker must also have at least 16 months remaining on their work permit at the time when their spouse applies for the OWP. Dependent children of foreign workers will no longer be eligible.