The government of Canada is extending work permits to family members of temporary foreign workers to help address labor shortages. The temporary two-year measure will go into effect from January 2023.
Canada will expand eligibility to work in Canada to spouses and working-age children through a phased approach for workers at all skill levels.
- Phase 1 will enable family members of workers coming to Canada through the high-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program or the International Mobility Program to apply for an open work permit.
- Phase 2 aims to expand the measure to the family members of workers from the low-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program following consultations.
- Phase 3 will include consultation with agricultural partners and stakeholders to assess the operational feasibility of expanding the measure to family members of agricultural workers.
Before the announcement, spouses were only eligible for a work permit if the principal applicant worked in a high-skill occupation.
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