Major policy shift blocks work permits for immigrant families' children
On This Page You Will Find:
- Breaking changes to work permits that affect thousands of families
- Exactly which dependent children can still work legally in Canada
- Three limited exceptions that might save your family's plans
- Step-by-step guidance for navigating the new restrictions
- Alternative pathways when traditional work permits aren't available
Summary:
Canada just pulled the rug out from under thousands of immigrant families. As of January 21, 2025, dependent children of foreign workers can no longer obtain open work permits—a dramatic policy reversal that's left families scrambling for alternatives. If you're planning to bring your working-age children to Canada or they're already here, this change could derail their career plans and your family's financial stability. However, three narrow exceptions still exist, and knowing these loopholes could be the difference between your child thriving in Canada or being stuck on the sidelines.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Open work permits for dependent children ended January 21, 2025, affecting thousands of families
- Only three exceptions remain: permanent residence applicants, family sponsorship cases, and specific LMIA exemptions
- Existing permits remain valid until expiration—don't panic if you already have one
- Applications submitted before January 21, 2025 will still be processed under old rules
- Alternative work permit programs may still be available for affected families
Maria Santos thought she had everything figured out. Her 19-year-old daughter would accompany her to Canada on a work permit, find a part-time job to help with expenses, and gain valuable Canadian work experience. Then January 21, 2025 arrived, and everything changed.
Like thousands of other immigrant families, Maria discovered that Canada had quietly eliminated open work permits for dependent children—a policy shift that's reshaping the landscape for foreign workers and their families across the country.
The New Reality: What Changed and Why
The policy reversal represents one of the most significant restrictions on family immigration in recent years. Previously, dependent children of foreign workers could obtain open work permits, giving them the freedom to work for any employer in Canada. That flexibility has now vanished for most families.
The timing wasn't accidental. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) implemented these changes as part of broader measures to reduce the growing number of temporary residents in Canada. The government cited concerns about housing shortages, healthcare system strain, and labor market pressures.
For families like Maria's, the impact is immediate and personal. "We budgeted for my daughter to contribute to household expenses," Maria explains. "Now we're looking at a completely different financial picture."
Who Can Still Work: The Three Exceptions
Despite the sweeping restrictions, three narrow pathways remain open for dependent children seeking work authorization in Canada.
Exception 1: Permanent Residence Track
If you're already in the permanent residence pipeline, your working-age dependent children may still qualify for open work permits. This exception applies specifically to families who are transitioning from temporary to permanent status.
The key requirement? Your permanent residence application must have received an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) from IRCC. Without this crucial document, your children won't qualify under this exception.
Exception 2: Family Sponsorship Cases
Dependent children can still obtain open work permits if they're part of a family sponsorship application. However, both conditions must be met: the principal applicant must be included in a permanent residence application, and that application must have an AOR.
This exception primarily benefits families going through the sponsorship process, where Canadian citizens or permanent residents are bringing their relatives to Canada.
Exception 3: LMIA Exemption Codes
The most technical but potentially accessible option involves LMIA exemption codes C46 and C48. Dependent children of Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs) can still obtain work permits under these codes if they meet specific criteria.
Your children must hold valid Temporary Resident Status and meet provincial age requirements for employment. This pathway requires more paperwork but remains viable for families who qualify.
What This Means for Your Family's Planning
The policy change forces families to completely rethink their Canadian strategy. If your dependent children don't qualify for the three exceptions, they'll need employer-specific work permits—assuming they can find an employer willing to navigate the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process.
The LMIA requirement adds complexity and cost. Employers must demonstrate that no Canadian workers are available for the position, a process that can take months and costs $1,000 per application. Many employers simply won't bother, especially for part-time or entry-level positions typically sought by young people.
Age Requirements Still Apply
Even if your dependent children qualify for work permits, they must still meet provincial minimum age requirements. These vary across Canada:
Most provinces set the minimum working age at 14 or 15, but specific restrictions apply to different types of work. Alberta allows children as young as 12 to work in certain circumstances, while other provinces have stricter requirements.
Before your children start working, research the specific rules in your destination province. Violating age requirements can jeopardize their status and your family's immigration plans.
Protection for Existing Permit Holders
If your children already hold open work permits approved before January 21, 2025, those permits remain valid until their expiration date. This grandfather clause provides breathing room for families already in Canada.
Similarly, applications submitted before the January 21 deadline will be processed under the previous, more lenient criteria. If you submitted an application in late 2024 or early January 2025, don't panic—your application should proceed normally.
Alternative Pathways When Traditional Routes Close
Families who no longer qualify for open work permits aren't completely out of options. Canada's work permit system includes numerous other programs that might accommodate your children's situation.
Student work permits offer one alternative. If your children plan to study in Canada, they can work part-time during studies and full-time during breaks. This pathway combines education with work experience, potentially offering better long-term prospects than open work permits.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) sometimes include provisions for family members, including working-age children. While these programs primarily target skilled workers, some provinces offer streams that could benefit your family.
The Bigger Picture: Why Canada Made This Change
Understanding the policy's context helps families navigate the new landscape more effectively. Canada admitted over 400,000 new permanent residents in 2023, plus hundreds of thousands of temporary residents including workers, students, and their families.
Housing markets in major cities like Toronto and Vancouver are severely strained, with rental vacancy rates below 2% in many areas. Healthcare systems are struggling to serve growing populations, and some communities report infrastructure challenges.
The government views reducing temporary resident numbers as essential to managing these pressures. While families bear the immediate cost, policymakers argue that the changes will improve conditions for everyone in Canada over time.
Practical Steps for Affected Families
If the policy change affects your family, start by documenting your current status. Gather all immigration documents, work permits, and correspondence with IRCC. This paperwork will be crucial for exploring alternative options.
Next, research provincial requirements in your destination area. Some provinces offer programs or services that could help your family navigate the new restrictions.
Consider consulting with an immigration lawyer or licensed consultant, especially if your situation is complex. Professional guidance can identify options you might miss and help avoid costly mistakes.
Timeline Considerations
The policy change creates different timelines for different families. Applications submitted before January 21, 2025 will be processed under old rules, but processing times vary significantly.
If you're planning to come to Canada in 2025 or 2026, factor the new restrictions into your timeline. Finding employer-specific work permits for your children will likely take longer than the previous open work permit process.
Financial Planning Under New Rules
Families must now budget differently for their Canadian experience. If your children can't work, you'll need to cover all their expenses from other sources. This might mean the principal worker needs higher-paying employment or the family needs additional savings before arriving.
Consider the cost of finding employer-specific work permits if your children don't qualify for exceptions. Between LMIA fees, legal costs, and application fees, the process could cost several thousand dollars per child.
Looking Ahead: Will Policies Change Again?
Immigration policies evolve based on economic conditions, political priorities, and public pressure. While the current restrictions are significant, they're not necessarily permanent.
Monitor IRCC announcements and policy updates. The government regularly adjusts immigration programs based on labor market needs and other factors. What's restricted today might be available again in the future.
However, don't base your family's plans on potential future changes. Work with current rules while staying informed about developments that might affect your situation.
Making the Best of New Restrictions
Despite the challenges, many families will still find success in Canada under the new rules. The key is adapting your strategy to work within current constraints rather than fighting against them.
Focus on the opportunities that remain available. If your children qualify for student permits, that pathway might actually provide better long-term prospects than temporary work authorization.
Consider how the restrictions might affect your family's permanent residence plans. If your children can't work temporarily, investing in their education or Canadian experience through other means might strengthen your overall immigration strategy.
The January 2025 policy change represents a significant shift in Canada's approach to family immigration, but it's not the end of opportunities for immigrant families. By understanding the new rules, exploring available exceptions, and adapting your strategy accordingly, your family can still build a successful future in Canada.
The key is staying informed, being flexible, and focusing on the pathways that remain open rather than lamenting those that have closed.
FAQ
Q: What exactly changed with Canada's work permit policy for dependent children in 2025?
As of January 21, 2025, Canada eliminated open work permits for dependent children of foreign workers—a major policy reversal affecting thousands of families. Previously, working-age dependent children could obtain open work permits allowing them to work for any employer in Canada. Now, most dependent children can no longer access these permits and must instead secure employer-specific work permits, which require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) costing $1,000 and taking months to process. This change was implemented to reduce the number of temporary residents in Canada due to concerns about housing shortages, healthcare system strain, and labor market pressures. However, applications submitted before January 21, 2025, will still be processed under the old rules, and existing permits remain valid until expiration.
Q: Which dependent children can still get work permits under the new rules?
Three narrow exceptions allow dependent children to still obtain open work permits. First, children of families already in the permanent residence pipeline can qualify if their application has received an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) from IRCC. Second, dependent children included in family sponsorship applications can get permits if both the principal applicant is in a permanent residence application and has an AOR. Third, children of Temporary Foreign Workers can obtain permits under LMIA exemption codes C46 and C48 if they hold valid Temporary Resident Status and meet provincial age requirements. These exceptions are quite specific—without meeting the exact criteria, families must pursue employer-specific work permits through the standard LMIA process, which is significantly more complex and expensive than the previous open work permit system.
Q: How should families budget and plan financially under these new restrictions?
Families must completely rethink their financial planning for Canada. If dependent children can't work, parents need to cover all expenses from other income sources, potentially requiring higher-paying employment or additional savings before arrival. The cost of securing employer-specific work permits adds significant expense—between LMIA fees ($1,000 per application), legal consultation costs, and application fees, families could spend several thousand dollars per child. Many employers won't pursue LMIA applications for part-time or entry-level positions typically sought by young people, further limiting opportunities. Families should budget for full support of non-working dependent children and consider alternative pathways like student permits, which allow part-time work during studies and full-time work during breaks, potentially providing better long-term prospects while combining education with Canadian work experience.
Q: What alternative pathways exist when traditional work permits aren't available?
Several alternative routes remain available for families affected by the restrictions. Student work permits offer the most viable option—dependent children studying in Canada can work part-time during studies and full-time during breaks, combining education with work experience. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) sometimes include provisions for family members, though these primarily target skilled workers. Some provinces offer specific streams that could benefit families with working-age children. Families should research provincial requirements in their destination area, as some provinces provide programs or services to help navigate the restrictions. Additionally, focusing on permanent residence pathways may be more strategic long-term, as permanent residents and their families have unrestricted work authorization. Consulting with immigration lawyers or licensed consultants can help identify options families might otherwise miss and avoid costly application mistakes.
Q: What happens to families who already have work permits or submitted applications before January 21, 2025?
Existing permit holders receive protection under grandfather clauses—open work permits approved before January 21, 2025, remain valid until their expiration dates, providing breathing room for families already in Canada. Applications submitted before the January 21 deadline will be processed under the previous, more lenient criteria, so families who applied in late 2024 or early January 2025 shouldn't panic. However, renewal applications submitted after January 21, 2025, will be subject to the new restrictions. This means families should use their remaining permit validity period to explore alternative pathways or prepare for the transition to employer-specific permits. The processing timeline for pre-deadline applications varies significantly, but these applications should proceed under the old system. Families in this situation should document their current status carefully and begin researching backup options in case their circumstances change before permit expiration.
Q: Will these policy changes be permanent, and how should families prepare for potential future updates?
Immigration policies regularly evolve based on economic conditions, political priorities, and public pressure, so current restrictions aren't necessarily permanent. However, families shouldn't base their plans on potential future changes—it's crucial to work within current rules while staying informed about developments. The government implemented these changes to address specific concerns about housing, healthcare, and labor market pressures, suggesting they may remain in place until these issues improve. Families should monitor IRCC announcements and policy updates regularly, as the government adjusts immigration programs based on labor market needs and other factors. The most successful approach involves adapting strategies to work within current constraints rather than waiting for policy reversals. Consider how restrictions might actually benefit long-term immigration goals—if children can't work temporarily, investing in their Canadian education or experience through other means might strengthen overall permanent residence applications.
