OPEN WORK PERMITS FOR FAMILY MEMBERS OF MILITARY PERSONNEL 2025
IRCC has updated the guidelines for family members of military personnel under R205(b) – C20, as well as for cases without a reciprocal agreement under R205(c) – C41. The goal is to align these rules with the changes that took effect for family members of foreign workers on January 21, 2025.
The key updates fall into two main points.
- Dependent children are no longer eligible for Open Work Permits in certain cases
If IRCC or CBSA received the application on or after January 21, 2025 under code C46 or C48, dependent children are not eligible to apply for an OWP. This closes the broad interpretation that used to apply in the past. There is no room for flexible interpretation anymore. - Spouses of TEER 4 workers are no longer eligible for OWP under code C47
This change directly affects families who relied on the principal worker’s occupation to obtain an open work permit for the spouse. IRCC is narrowing the scope to prevent OWP from becoming an easy-to-access privilege.
Other minor updates include:
• clarification on required documentary evidence when no reciprocal agreement exists
• clarification on approval procedures in cases without a reciprocal agreement
• updates to refusal criteria, useful links, and references to previous policy changes
These small adjustments are not the headline changes, but they show that IRCC wants a clearer, more rigid process with fewer opportunities for loopholes.
