Low-skilled workers can bring families to work in Canada
On This Page You Will Find:
- Exact eligibility requirements for spouses and children to get work permits
- Real-world scenarios showing who qualifies and who doesn't
- Step-by-step breakdown of TEER categories and what they mean for your family
- Critical deadlines and permit duration rules you can't afford to miss
- Common mistakes that lead to application rejections
Summary:
If you're a low-skilled worker in Canada wondering whether your family can join you and work legally, this comprehensive guide reveals everything you need to know. Discover the specific TEER categories that qualify, the exact requirements your spouse and children must meet, and the little-known exemption codes (C47 and C48) that could change your family's future. Learn why timing matters, which programs disqualify you entirely, and how to avoid the costly mistakes that derail 40% of family work permit applications.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Spouses of TEER 4 and 5 workers can get open work permits under exemption code C47
- Dependent children under 22 may also qualify for work permits using code C48
- Your work permit must be valid for at least 6 months when family applies
- Agricultural and seasonal worker programs are specifically excluded
- Work permit duration matches the shorter of: your permit expiry or passport expiry
Picture this: Kossi stares at his phone screen, scrolling through photos of his wife and 18-year-old daughter back in Togo. He's been working as a machine tool operator in Canada for eight months now, sending money home and building a better future. But there's an ache in his chest that no paycheck can fill – the longing to have his family by his side.
Like thousands of other low-skilled workers across Canada, Kossi faces a critical question: Can his family not just visit, but actually work in Canada too? The answer might surprise you.
Understanding Low-Skilled Work in Canada's TEER System
Before diving into family work permits, you need to understand where your job fits in Canada's classification system. The government uses TEER categories (Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities) to rank occupations from 0 to 5.
Here's the breakdown that determines your family's eligibility:
TEER 0: Management positions TEER 1: University degree typically required TEER 2: College diploma, 2+ years apprenticeship, or supervisory roles TEER 3: College diploma, apprenticeship under 2 years, or 6+ months training TEER 4: High school diploma or several weeks of training TEER 5: Short-term demonstration, no formal education required
If you're working in TEER 4 or 5 positions – think machine operators, food service workers, cleaners, or agricultural laborers – you're classified as a low-skilled worker. And here's the game-changer: your family has specific pathways to work permits that many people don't know about.
Your Spouse Can Get an Open Work Permit (Here's How)
This is where things get exciting for families like Kossi's. Spouses and common-law partners of low-skilled workers are eligible for open work permits under LMIA exemption code C47. This means they can work for any employer in Canada – no job offer required.
But (and this is crucial) you must meet ALL of these requirements:
You Must Hold a Valid Work Permit Your work permit needs to be legitimate and current. However, certain groups are automatically disqualified:
- International students working without permits (except PGWP holders)
- People who got their work permit through a family member
- Refugee claimants or those under removal orders
Your Work Permit Must Have 6+ Months Remaining When your spouse applies, your permit needs at least six months of validity left. This timing requirement catches many families off guard – don't wait until the last minute.
You Must Actually Live and Work in Canada Physical presence matters. You can't sponsor your spouse for a work permit while living outside Canada, even if you hold a valid permit.
Your Relationship Must Be Genuine Immigration officers will scrutinize your relationship. Be prepared to provide evidence of your genuine partnership through photos, joint finances, communication records, and other documentation.
The Big Exclusions (This Could Disqualify You) Three programs are specifically excluded from this benefit:
- Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program
- Agricultural Stream workers
- Low-Wage Stream participants
If you're in any of these programs, your spouse cannot use the C47 exemption.
What About Your Children?
Your dependent children can also receive open work permits under exemption code C48. The requirements mirror those for spouses, with one key addition: they must prove they're your dependent biological or adopted children.
Who Qualifies as a Dependent Child:
- Generally under 22 years old
- Unmarried or not in a common-law relationship
- Financially dependent on you
Remember, not every child can legally work in Canada due to provincial labor laws, but having the work permit gives them the option when they're old enough.
How Long Will These Work Permits Last?
The duration follows a simple rule – your family's work permits will expire on whichever date comes first:
- Your work permit expiry date
- Their passport expiry date
For example, if your work permit expires in 18 months but your spouse's passport expires in 12 months, their work permit will be valid for 12 months.
Immigration officers have discretion in exceptional circumstances, but this is the standard rule you should expect.
Critical Points That Could Make or Break Your Application
Open Work Permits Come With Freedom Once approved, your family members receive open work permits, meaning they can work for any employer in most occupations. This flexibility is invaluable for building new lives in Canada.
You Can't Piggyback on Their Success Here's something many people don't realize: after your family gets their work permits, you cannot use their status to convert your own work permit to an open permit. Each application stands alone.
Documentation Is Everything Even if you hold an open work permit yourself, you'll need to provide employment records proving you work in a TEER 4 or 5 occupation. Keep detailed records of your employment from day one.
The Child Exception Rule If the low-skilled worker is actually the family's child (not the parent), this pathway doesn't apply. The program is designed for adult workers bringing their families, not the reverse.
What If You're a High-Skilled Worker Instead?
If your job falls into TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 categories, you're considered a high-skilled worker with different (often better) options for your family. High-skilled workers typically have easier pathways for spousal work permits and may be eligible for permanent residence programs that low-skilled workers cannot access.
Your Next Steps: Making It Happen
If you're like Kossi – separated from family and hoping for reunion – start by confirming your TEER category and checking your work permit's remaining validity. Gather relationship documentation, employment records, and ensure your family's passports are current.
The pathway exists, the requirements are clear, and thousands of families successfully reunite in Canada each year through these programs. Your family's Canadian dream doesn't have to wait until permanent residence – it can start with these work permits that let everyone contribute to building your new life together.
The question isn't whether it's possible – it's whether you'll take the steps to make it happen. Your family is waiting, and Canada has opened the door. Now it's time to walk through it.
FAQ
Q: Can spouses of low-skilled workers really get open work permits in Canada, and what makes them "open"?
Yes, spouses and common-law partners of TEER 4 and 5 workers can obtain open work permits under LMIA exemption code C47. An "open" work permit means your spouse can work for any employer in Canada without needing a specific job offer or Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This provides incredible flexibility – they can change jobs, work part-time or full-time, and even start their own business in most cases. However, your work permit must have at least 6 months of validity remaining when they apply, and you must be physically living and working in Canada. The key exclusions are workers in the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, Agricultural Stream, and Low-Wage Stream programs – these workers' spouses cannot use this pathway.
Q: What are TEER 4 and 5 jobs exactly, and how do I know if my position qualifies?
TEER 4 positions typically require a high school diploma or several weeks of on-the-job training. Examples include machine operators, food service workers, retail salespersons, and security guards. TEER 5 jobs require short-term work demonstration with no formal educational requirements – think general laborers, cleaners, fruit pickers, and kitchen helpers. To confirm your classification, check your job offer letter, work permit, or search the National Occupational Classification (NOC) database using your job title. Your NOC code will start with specific numbers: TEER 4 jobs often begin with 6, 7, or 8, while TEER 5 typically start with 8 or 9. If you're unsure, consult with an immigration professional, as misclassification is one of the leading causes of application rejections.
Q: Can my teenage children work in Canada if I'm a low-skilled worker, and are there age restrictions?
Your dependent children can receive open work permits under exemption code C48, following the same eligibility requirements as spouses. However, there are important considerations: children must be under 22, unmarried, and financially dependent on you. While they can get work permits, provincial labor laws determine the minimum working age – typically 14-16 years old depending on the province. For example, in Ontario, children can work at 14 with restrictions, while Alberta allows work at 13 in certain circumstances. Even if your 16-year-old gets a work permit, they'll still need to follow provincial rules about working hours, types of work, and school attendance. The work permit simply gives them the legal right to work when they meet provincial age requirements.
Q: My work permit expires in 4 months – is it too late for my family to apply for work permits?
Unfortunately, yes. Immigration requires your work permit to have at least 6 months of validity remaining when your family submits their applications. This is a hard deadline that catches many families off guard. However, you have options: if you're eligible to extend your own work permit, apply for that extension first. Once approved, your family can then apply using your newly extended permit. Alternatively, if you qualify for a new work permit (perhaps with a different employer), your family can apply once that's approved. Processing times for family work permits typically range from 4-12 weeks depending on your country, so planning ahead is crucial. Start the process as soon as your work permit has 8-9 months remaining to account for processing delays.
Q: What specific documents do I need to prove my relationship and employment for my family's work permit applications?
For relationship proof, provide marriage certificates, joint bank statements, lease agreements with both names, photos together over time, communication records, and birth certificates for children. For employment verification, include your current employment letter confirming your TEER 4/5 position, recent pay stubs, T4 tax forms, and your work permit copy. Your family members need valid passports, medical exams (if required), police certificates from countries where they've lived 6+ months since age 18, and completed application forms. Financial support evidence showing you can support them is also required. The immigration officer wants to see genuine relationships and legitimate employment – generic or insufficient documentation is the top reason for rejections. Organize documents chronologically and provide certified translations for any non-English/French documents.
Q: How long will my family's work permits be valid, and can they be extended independently of mine?
Your family's work permits will expire on whichever date comes first: your work permit expiry date or their passport expiry date. For example, if your permit expires in 2 years but your spouse's passport expires in 18 months, their work permit will be valid for 18 months. They cannot extend their work permits independently – their permits are tied to your status as the primary worker. If you extend your work permit, they can apply to extend theirs. If you change to a different type of permit or leave Canada, their permits become invalid. This dependency means family immigration planning must always consider the primary worker's permit first. Ensure everyone's passports have sufficient validity (ideally 2+ years) before applying to maximize the work permit duration.
Q: What happens if I get promoted to a higher-skilled job – can my family still keep their work permits?
This is a great problem to have! If you get promoted to a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 position (higher-skilled work), your family can actually benefit from even better options. High-skilled workers' families typically have easier pathways to work permits and may become eligible for permanent residence programs not available to low-skilled workers. Your family's existing work permits remain valid until their expiry date, regardless of your job change. When it's time to renew, they can apply under the high-skilled worker provisions (often with fewer restrictions) or you might qualify for permanent residence programs like the Canadian Experience Class. Keep detailed records of your promotion, new job duties, and updated employment letter showing your new TEER classification. This career progression often opens doors to permanent immigration pathways that weren't previously available.
