Recent IRCC rule change: family members of military personnel face new work permit restrictions is raising important questions among military families in Canada. With the revised operational guidelines effective as of November 14, 2025, key updates affect open work permit eligibility for dependent children and certain spouses. These changes bring military-specific policies in line with national updates made earlier this year, but they also reduce options for many families hoping to work while accompanying a military relative in Canada.

Why the Timing of This Rule Change Matters?

In January 2025, IRCC implemented broader reforms to family member work permits. The latest military-specific update ensures consistency, but also eliminates certain permissions that were previously available.

For many families connected to the military either Canadian or from allied nations stationed here, these changes could impact financial plans, employment options, and the overall family experience during deployments or postings.

What Has Changed Under the New Rules?

IRCC rule change: family members of military personnel face new work permit restrictions — Key updates

Here are the main takeaways from the November 14 update:

Dependent children are no longer eligible for open work permits under administrative codes C46 or C48, for applications submitted on or after January 21, 2025, unless a reciprocal agreement applies.

Spouses of TEER 4 workers are no longer eligible for open work permits under code C47.

New operational instructions for officers were added, covering:

• Documentary evidence requirements
• Approval conditions
• Standardized refusal guidelines

These changes affect how officers at both IRCC and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) process these work permit applications.

How This Affect Dependent Children

Previously, some dependent children could apply for open work permits while their parents served in Canada under military orders. That option has now been closed off for most applicants unless their circumstances fall under a reciprocal agreement between Canada and another country.

This may affect teenagers or young adults hoping to gain Canadian work experience while residing in the country as part of a military household.

Impact on Souses of TEER 4 Workers

Spouses of military personnel working in TEER 4 roles (lower-skilled occupations) are another group affected by this change. They are no longer eligible for open work permits under C47.

Previously, they could apply based on the serving member’s occupation and status, but with the new rule, these spouses must either qualify under different criteria or pursue employer-specific permits.

New Guidelines for Officers: Evidence, Approval, and Refusals

The updated instructions help standardize officer decision-making in applications that fall outside reciprocal agreements. The new procedures include:

• Documentary Evidence: Officers now require clearer proof of relationship and eligibility.
• Approval Rules: Applications must meet more defined criteria before approval.
• Refusal Language: Officers have been given consistent refusal wording for use across offices.

These changes are designed to minimize confusion but also mean families must be more careful and thorough with documentation.

Aligning With National Policy Trends

These revisions bring the rules for military family members in line with broader family-based work permit reforms introduced earlier in 2025. While consistency is often helpful in policy application, it also means fewer exceptions for military-related applicants moving forward.

For example, under the old guidance, family members in military households had access to slightly more flexible work opportunities. That flexibility is now being reduced in favour of a uniform national standard. The IRCC rule change: family members of military personnel face new work permit restrictions reflect a broader shift toward uniformity in Canada’s work permit policies. While the move helps streamline application procedures, it also narrows eligibility for dependent children and spouses of TEER 4 workers. Families impacted by this update will need to review alternative options and prepare well-documented applications moving forward.