On July 13, 2023, the Government of Canada published a new program delivery update for work permit issuance under the International Mobility Program (IMP). Starting July 13, 2023, family members of students working on campus under the authority of R186(f) or with a co-op work permit (code C32 or C33) will not be eligible for a spousal open work permit. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officers will issue open work permits under administrative coder C49 to only family members of principal applicants who applied for permanent residence. Depending on the principal applicants’ employment, family members who are potential permanent resident applicants can apply for an open work permit under C41/C46 or C46/C49.
