IRCC’s January 19, 2026 update restructures how it explains open work permit categories under the International Mobility Program (IMP), but the core eligibility rules remain the same. The goal is to make it easier to see who can apply, from where, and under which code.
What changed on January 19, 2026?
On January 19, 2026, IRCC updated the “Open work permit – General processing and issuance – International Mobility Program (IMP)” instructions. The main change is how the submission section is organized, not a new eligibility rule.
The section “Submission of open work permit applications for various IMP categories” is now grouped into clear subtitles so officers and applicants can quickly see who fits where.
New grouped categories (plain language)
IRCC now groups open work permit applicants under the IMP into seven clear buckets:
- People not on a PR path
- Examples: Working Holiday (IEC), professional athletes who need extra work, post‑grad work permit (PGWP) holders, co‑op work permit holders, refugee claimants, vulnerable workers, certain humanitarian cases.
- The tables show whether they can apply before entry, at the border, or inside Canada.
- Spouses or partners under free trade agreements
- Family members of temporary foreign workers (TFWs)
- Includes spouses of high‑skilled workers (NOC TEER 0, 1 and select 2/3) under code C41, family of some military personnel and foreign representatives, and spouses of some public‑policy work permit holders (including vulnerable workers).
- The guidance links to detailed pages showing eligibility and where to apply for each situation.
- People on a PR path but who have not yet applied
- Examples: CSQ holders outside Quebec (A76), Quebec investors (T10), Atlantic Immigration Program workers (C18), Yukon Community Pilot workers (A75).
- These people are clearly flagged as “on a path to PR,” but still in the pre‑application stage.
- People who have already submitted a PR application
- Includes: In‑Canada PR applicants (A70), bridging open work permits (A75), inland spouse/family public policy (A74), Start‑up Visa work permit applicants (A77), and TR‑to‑PR pathway open work permits.
- The tables show that most of these are in‑Canada applications after PR has been filed.
- Family members of TFWs who are transitioning to PR or are PR applicants
- Spouses of students
Reminder: what an IMP open work permit is
Under the IMP, an open work permit:
- Lets you work for any employer, unless your permit or medical results put limits on your job or location.
- Still respects general rules: you cannot work for ineligible employers on the non‑compliant employer list, or for businesses that regularly offer striptease, escort, or erotic services.
There are two main types:
- Unrestricted open work permit – any employer, any location, coded as NOC 99999 and “Open” employer in IRCC’s system.
- Restricted open work permit – limited by occupation (for example, caregivers) and/or location (for example, a specific province for a bridging OWP).
Why this update matters for 2026 applicants
IRCC’s January 19, 2026 update is about clarity and consistency, not new rights. By grouping categories this way, it becomes easier for:
- Workers, spouses, and students to see which stream they belong to.
- Representatives to choose the correct code and place of application (outside Canada, port of entry, or inside Canada).
- Officers to apply the same logic across similar cases, which should reduce errors and delays.
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