Canada Opens Work Permits for Family of Foreign Workers

The Canadian government has confirmed that specific family members of foreign workers residing in Canada may be eligible for open work permits. This provision includes three categories of relatives: a spouse or common-law partner, a dependent child, and a dependent child of the dependent child (grandchild).

Eligibility for this arrangement is contingent upon the foreign worker's immigration status and job classification. Workers on a pathway to permanent residence or those who have submitted a permanent residence application may qualify.

Additionally, occupations classified under the National Occupation Classification (NOC) TEER categories 0 or 1, as well as select high-skilled positions under TEER 2 and TEER 3, are included. Foreign workers engaged in Significant Investment Projects (SIPs) in British Columbia may also be eligible.

An open work permit allows family members to work for almost any employer in Canada, providing greater flexibility. The policy is particularly significant for Nigerians and other Africans seeking to reunite with family members in Canada.