The IRCC announced on 2 December 2022 that Open Work Permits are now available to spouses of Open Work Permit holders. Sean Fraser the minister of immigration, made this announcement.
About Open Work Permits
Foreign nationals who do not hold Canadian citizenship or permanent residency can work here with the help of a work permit. Many businesses provide work permits for certain types of work. In spite of this, OWPs give foreign workers the freedom to work lawfully in Canada for any company at any level.
Open Work Permits eligibility – New updates
Open Work Permits are now available to spouses of permit holders as well as they are eligible to apply for permanent residency. It will attract more immigrants to work in Canada and perhaps settle there in the future.
Canada has opened its doors to the immigration of more immigrants by expanding eligibility to spouses of OWP holders. In contrast to the past when spouses of international students, permanent residents, and citizens could apply through their husbands.
The IRCC predicts that it will receive more than 100,000 new work permit applications from OWP holders’ spouses following this policy change.
A three-stage implementation plan is expected to begin in 2023:
High-wage stream – Spouses of higher-paid employees who hold an open work permit (for example, spouses of postgraduate work permit holders).
Provinces and territories stream – Spouse with lower income partners (e.g. Open Work Permits holder under IEC (International Experience Canada) Program. This program recently saw an increment).
Families of agriculture workers – During this phase, Canada will primarily deal with the families of seasonal agricultural workers. A crucial employment sector for the country’s economic recovery.
IRCC still views these timelines as speculative, despite its desire to support the economy with these changes. As Minister Fraser said, provincial governments and employers will need to work together on phase two and phase three.
Why does Canada require more immigrants?
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic being a major contributor to the nation’s economic, demographic, and societal well-being, immigration has never been more important to Canada.
Due to the widespread pandemics of 2020 and 2021, immigration has emerged as a critical component of the economy’s recovery as it continues to have record-high job vacancies, low unemployment rates, and steady retiree inflows.
According to Minister Fraser’s announcement on December 2, there were nearly seven Canadians for every retiree exiting the workforce ten years ago. In 10 to 15 years, this ratio is expected to drop to two employees per retiree. As long as these figures do not increase, healthcare and education, among other important industries, will struggle to maintain their quality of life.
Policies such as those mentioned above are necessary to maintain the health of Canada’s society. The IRCC has already committed nearly 1.45 million new immigrants (see Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025).
