Canada to reduce spousal open work permits by over 100,000

Canada’s Immigration Minister Marc Miller has announced plans to reduce the number of Spousal Open Work Permits by more than 100,000 over the next three years. The changes will primarily affect spouses of international students and temporary foreign workers. For student spouses, eligibility will be limited to those in doctoral programs and specific master’s programs lasting at least 16 months. Only spouses of highly skilled workers in key sectors will be eligible for the temporary foreign worker category. This policy shift addresses concerns about the sustainability of Canada’s immigration system and its impact on housing and public services. Critics argue that this move may negatively affect Canada’s ability to attract international talent and could have unintended consequences for the country’s economy.