Category Archives: Update

Canada announced changes in eligibility criteria for spousal open work permit

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) published revised eligibility rules for the Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) today.

These new requirements come into effect today, on March 19, 2024.

What are the new eligibility criteria for Canada's Spousal Open Work Permit in 2024?
International students' spouses or partners who want to apply for an open work permit as a spouse or common-law partner must meet the following qualifications.

Effective March 19, 2024, the spouse or common-law partner of an overseas student can now apply for an open work permit under three different circumstances.

1. If the spouse or common-law partner apply for an open work permit on or after March 19, 2024.

Starting March 19, 2024, if you are enrolled in classes for one of the professional degrees and have a valid study permit, your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for an open work permit.

A university professional degree programme, such as a master's or PhD programme, or one of the following in a polytechnic institution:

  • Dental Surgery Doctor (DDS, DMD)
  • Juris Doctor or Bachelor of Law (LLB, JD, BCL)
  • Medical doctor (MD)
  • Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm), Doctor of Optometry (OD)
  • Veterinary medicine doctor (DVM)
  • Nursing Bachelor of Science (BScN, BSN, or BNSc)
  • Education Bachelor’s Degree (B. Ed.)
  • Engineering Bachelor’s Degree (B. Eng., BE, BASc)

To establish your enrollment in a degree-granting programme of study, your spouse or common-law partner must provide one of the following documents:

  • A legitimate letter of acceptance from the educational institution of your choice (DLI).
  • A letter of verification of enrollment from your DLI
  • Transcripts for the current program
  • Proof of their relationship with the student

2. If the spouse or common-law partner apply for an open work permit before March 19, 2024

If your spouse or common-law partner applied for an open work permit before March 19, 2024.
Your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for an open work permit if you meet the following three conditions:

  • You have a valid study permit.
  • Your current study program is eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).
  • You attend one of the following kinds of educational institutions as a full-time student:
    • a public post-secondary school, such as a college or university, or CEGEP in Quebec
    • a private college-level school in Quebec
    • a Canadian private school that can legally award degrees under provincial law (for example, a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree)

3. If your partner or spouse wants to apply for an extension of their current open work permit,

  • You have a valid study permit.
  • Your current study program is eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).
  • You attend one of the following kinds of educational institutions as a full-time student:
    • a public post-secondary school, such as a college or university, or CEGEP in Quebec
    • a private college-level school in Quebec
    • a Canadian private school that can legally award degrees under provincial law (for example, a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree)

Canada launches new immigration pilots to benefit rural and Francophone minority communities, creating a permanent program.

Rural and Francophone minority communities are critical to Canada’s long-term growth, and regional immigration plays a key role in strengthening their economies. In particular, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) has been successful in connecting businesses and employers in remote communities with the skilled newcomers they need to thrive.

That is why today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced new pilots for rural and Francophone minority communities, as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) continues work toward creating a permanent rural immigration program. These are the Rural Community Immigration Pilot and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot.

The Rural Community Immigration Pilot will launch in the fall of 2024. It aims to ensure that rural communities continue to have the ability to access programs that address labour shortages and help local businesses find the workers they need. It will provide pathways to permanent residence for newcomers who can help to overcome critical labour job shortages and want to live long term in these smaller communities.

Modelled on the success of the RNIP and as part of our Francophone Immigration Policy, we are also launching the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot in the fall of 2024. The pilot will focus on increasing the number of French-speaking newcomers settling in Francophone minority communities outside of Quebec and will help ensure the economic development of Francophone minority communities, while also helping to restore and increase their demographic weight.

IRCC will open the community application process this spring to select communities who will participate in the pilots and will share more details in the coming months.

As we work to establish RNIP as a permanent program, these new pilots will help attract and retain skilled foreign workers in rural and Francophone minority communities, contributing to their economic and linguistic vitality. IRCC looks forward to continued collaboration with these communities as we work together to strengthen our immigration programs.

Canada launched 2 new pilot pathways and made RNIP permanent.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller stated on Wednesday that Ottawa will make the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) a permanent immigration programme this autumn, as well as launch two new pilot pathways to help rural towns recruit more immigrants, particularly francophones.

"I am here to confirm that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will make the RNIP permanent," Miller stated in Sudbury on March 6.

The new permanent programme, known as the Rural Immigration Programme (RIP), will be implemented this autumn with the new experimental programmes.

The two new pilot programmes will be the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP).

The new pilot programme will attempt to ensure that rural communities continue to have access to programmes that address workforce shortages and assist local businesses in finding the personnel they require. It will give avenues to permanent residence for newcomers who can contribute to the resolution of acute labour shortages and wish to dwell in these tiny towns for the long term.

Canada PR Pathway for Colombian, Haitian, and Venezuelan Nationals.

Guidelines for processing applications under the Canada PR (permanent residence) pathway for Colombian, Haitian, and Venezuelan nationals are now available.
To expand regular pathways as an alternative to irregular migration, this new temporary public policy will facilitate granting permanent residence to certain Colombian, Haitian, and Venezuelan nationals who have family in Canada who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

Canada-Finland Youth Mobility Agreement: click to learn more.

Canada continues to create new opportunities for Canadian youth to explore other cultures and build lasting connections abroad.
Today, the Honorable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced that the Canada–Finland Youth Mobility Agreement, signed on May 19, 2023, is now in effect.
This agreement will allow Canadians and Finns aged 18 to 35 to work and travel in each other’s country through the International Experience Canada (IEC) Program or the Finnish equivalent.
As Canada and Finland celebrate 77 years of formal diplomatic relations this year, this agreement will provide a new basis to further strengthen bilateral relations between our two countries. IEC program participants will have the chance to get immersed in new cultures and experiences while developing life skills, improving future job prospects and deepening social ties.
This is also a unique cultural exchange opportunity for Indigenous youth in Canada, who may be interested in the heritage and traditional knowledge of the Sámi people. By investing in the potential of their youth, both Canada and Finland are paving the way for a stronger, more interconnected global community.