Program delivery update: Family members of workers – Canadian interest – International Mobility Program (IMP)

August 11, 2026

The instructions relating the International Mobility Program (IMP) categories under work designated by the Minister as per subparagraph 205(c)(ii) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) – administrative codes C41 (instructions related to the measure implemented on January 21, 2026), C41/C46, C47/C48, and C49 have been updated. The following changes are important.

The instructions found under “Applications received as a family group” were removed from the program delivery instructions (PDIs) for all the above categories. These instructions can now be found in these new instructions: Work permit options for family members of foreign workers.

1. In these instructions (C41)
   • New instructions were added on: “Spouses of workers under a free trade agreement (FTA),” “Spouses of workers who hold an open work permit that was issued under a temporary public policy,” “Applications where the principal foreign national is self-employed on an open work permit,” and “Renewals”
2. In the instructions for Family members of foreign nationals authorized to work in high-skilled occupations (TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3) – [R205(c)(ii) – C41 and C46]
   • The following new instructions were added under Eligibility:
     • Family members of workers who are transitioning to permanent residence
     • Clarification that, for applicants of workers under a free trade agreement, the principal foreign national cannot hold a spousal open work permit or be eligible for a spousal open work permit under an international Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
   • Under Documentary evidence, new instructions were added titled “Principal foreign national is self-employed on an open work permit”
   • A new section on “Renewal of open work permits for family members of workers who are transitioning to permanent residence” and “Renewals (Facilitation measure)” along with scenarios were added.

3. In the instructions for 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), the following new guidance was added under Eligibility:

   • Family members of workers who are transitioning to permanent residence
   • Clarification that, for applicants of workers under a free trade agreement, the principal foreign national cannot hold a spousal open work permit or be eligible for a spousal open work permit under an international Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

   In addition, 2 new sections on “Renewals of open work permits for family members of workers who are transitioning to permanent residence” and “Renewals (Facilitation measure)” were added.

4. In the instructions for Family members of work permit holders who are Economic Class permanent resident applicants [R205(c)(ii) - C49] – Canadian interests – International Mobility Program, 2 new sections were added on “Refusals” and “Renewals.”
5. In the Open work permit – General processing and issuance – International Mobility Program (IMP) instructions, links to 3 PDIs were added under Family members of temporary foreign workers who are transitioning to permanent residence or who are permanent residence applicants.
6. The index page Temporary workers and the Functional guidance on temporary residents: Table of contents were updated to include the new instructions on work permit options for family members of foreign workers.

New Instructions

• Work permit options for family members of foreign workers

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)
• Family members of work permit holders who are Economic Class permanent resident applicants [R205(c)(ii) – C49] – Canadian interest – International Mobility Program (IMP)
• Spouses or common-law partners of foreign nationals authorized to work in high-skilled occupations (TEER 0 or 1), or in select occupations (TEER 2 or 3) – [R205(c)(ii) – C41] – Canadian interest – International Mobility Program (IMP)
• Open work permit – General processing and issuance – International Mobility Program (IMP)
• Functional guidance on temporary residents: Table of contents
• Temporary workers (landing page)
• Overview of work designated by the Minister [R205(c)(ii) – C16, C41, C42, C43, C44, C45, C46, C47, C48, C49, C52, C88] – Canadian interest – International Mobility Program (IMP)