Program delivery update: Facilitation for spouses of workers under the Significant Investment Project (SIP) provision
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 23, 2026
The Significant Investment Project (SIP) provision exists under the Canada–British Columbia Immigration Agreement (CBCIA) and the Canada–Ontario Immigration Agreement as part of their respective Foreign Workers Annexes. In conjunction with paragraph 204(c) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), it provides authority for IRCC to issue work permits to foreign nationals destined to work on specific SIPs, which must be brought forward and supported by the provincial government. There are 2 active SIP agreements currently in place, both under the CBCIA: Lululemon Athletica Inc. (Lululemon) and Microsoft Vancouver.
Starting on March 23, 2026, spouses of all workers under SIPs in BC are eligible to apply for an open work permit under subparagraph R205(c)(ii), administrative code C41 or C47, regardless of the Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) level and occupation of the SIP worker. This means that
- spouses of SIP workers who are authorized to work in high-skilled occupations (TEER level 0, 1, 2 or 3) are eligible to apply for an open work permit under administrative code C41
- spouses of SIP workers who are authorized to work in low-skilled occupations (TEER level 4 or 5) are eligible to apply for an open work permit under administrative code C47
Prior to March 23, 2026, only spouses of SIP workers who were authorized to work high-skilled occupations at TEER level 0 or 1 and select 2 or 3 were eligible for an open work permit under C41.
This new policy applies to applications received on or after March 23, 2026.
The following program delivery instructions will be updated shortly:
- Family members of foreign nationals authorized to work in high-skilled occupations (TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3) [R205(c)(ii) – C41 and C46]
- Family members of foreign nationals authorized to work in low-skilled occupations (TEER 4 or 5) [R205(c)(ii) – C47 and C48]