OWP CAN STILL BE EXTENDED AFTER JANUARY 21, 2025 

Starting January 21, 2025, your spouse will no longer be eligible to apply for an Open Work Permit (OWP) if the primary work permit holder works in a low-skilled occupation under TEER 4 or 5.

However, your family members in Canada can still apply to extend their work permits even after January 21, 2025, if they meet all of the following conditions:

• They are currently in Canada.
• Their current work permit has a shorter validity period than your work permit (the primary applicant).
• They submit their work permit extension application before their initial work permit expires.

Example:

• Your work permit (primary applicant): Valid until March 2027.
• Your family member’s work permit: Expires in March 2026 because their passport expires at that time.

Solution:

• Your family member can renew their passport for a longer validity period.
• After renewing their passport, they can apply to extend their work permit to match the validity period of your work permit.

Make sure the extension application is submitted before the current work permit expires to maintain legal status in Canada.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out to us