Program delivery update: Open work permits for family members of certain work permit holders
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
March 28, 2024
Officers are advised that changes have been made to the instructions on how to process open work permits for family members of work permit holders in high- or low-skilled occupations. Family members of work permit applicants or work permit holders do not have a field in the application to indicate for which International Mobility Program (imp) work permit category (code C41/C46 or C47/C48) they are applying. If the applicant indicated in their application that they are family members of a worker, the officer must enter the correct category code that relates to the proof provided in their application that shows the skill level of the principal applicant.
Officers should not be refusing applications because the labour market impact assessment (LMIA) exemption code is incorrect. The open work permit applicant is not responsible for selecting the correct administrative code; that is the responsibility of processing officers.
Updated instructions
- Family members of foreign nationals authorized to work in high-skilled occupations (teer 0, 1, 2 or 3) – [R205(c)(ii) – C41 and C46] – Canadian interest – International Mobility Program (imp)
- Family members of foreign nationals authorized to work in low-skilled occupations (teer 4 or 5) – [R205(c)(ii) – C47 and C48] – Canadian interest – International Mobility Program (imp)