#january 2025 visa reform news

[wavevisas123]

IRCC to implement restrictions on family Open Work Permits in January 2025

The Canadian immigration system is undergoing important changes that will affect the eligibility for family open work permits (OWPs) for international students and foreign workers. These changes, announced in September 2024, will be implemented on January 21, 2025. If you are planning to apply for Canada immigration or seeking assistance with work permits, understanding these updates is crucial. In this blog, we’ll break down these changes and explain how they could impact your family and work plans in Canada

Table of Contents

Overview of the New Family Open Work Permit (OWP) Restrictions

Changes for International Students

How Foreign Workers Are Affected

Educational Programs That Qualify for Family OWPs

Who is Not Affected by These Changes

A Broader Immigration Reform Strategy

Advantages of an Open Work Permit (OWP)

Why Choose Wave Visas, the Best Immigration Consultant in Delhi

Overview of the New Family Open Work Permit (OWP) Restrictions.

Starting January 21, 2025, the Canadian government will introduce stricter eligibility criteria for family open work permits (OWPs). These permits allow spouses or common-law partners of international students and foreign workers to work in Canada. The new regulations aim to focus on high-skill occupations and reduce the overall number of temporary residents. The government anticipates these measures will lead to a reduction of 50,000 to 100,000 fewer permits over the next three years.

Changes for International Students.

As part of these changes, family open work permits will only be available for the spouses or common-law partners of international students enrolled in:

Master’s programs that are 16 months or longer in duration

Doctoral programs

Select professional and eligible programs (as outlined below)

Previously, international students only needed to be enrolled in a Master’s program for their spouse to qualify for an open work permit, regardless of the program’s duration. Now, students must be enrolled in longer, more specialized programs for their spouse to be eligible for a family OWP.

How Foreign Workers Are Affected.

For foreign workers, the eligibility for family open work permits will be limited to spouses or common-law partners of those employed in specific occupations. These include:

TEER 0 and TEER 1 occupations (highly skilled jobs)

Select TEER 2 or 3 occupations in the following sectors:

Natural and applied sciences

Construction

Healthcare

Natural resources

Education

Sports

Military sectors

Additionally, the foreign worker must have at least 16 months of validity remaining on their work permit at the time their spouse applies for the OWP.

Educational Programs That Qualify for Family OWPs.

While the new restrictions will affect many programs, international students enrolled in the following programs will still be eligible to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner for a family OWP:

Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS DMD)

Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor (LLB, JD, BCL)

Doctor of Medicine (MD)

Doctor of Optometry (OD)

Pharmacy (PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm)

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN, BSN)

Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc)

Bachelor of Nursing (BN)

Bachelor of Education (BEd)

Bachelor of Engineering (BEng, BE, BASc)

Students in these programs will continue to be able to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner for a family open work permit, even though other Master’s programs may no longer qualify.

Who is Not Affected by These Changes .

Certain groups will remain unaffected by these changes:

Spouses of workers covered by free trade agreements (FTAs) are exempt from these new restrictions.

Spouses or common-law partners who are being sponsored for permanent residence (PR) in Canada may still apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) if they already have legal temporary status in Canada.

A Broader Immigration Reform Strategy.

These changes to the family open work permit eligibility criteria are part of a broader suite of reforms announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The goal is to manage the growing number of temporary residents in the country, especially in light of concerns about housing supply and affordability. The government predicts that these changes will lead to a reduction of 50,000 to 100,000 fewer permits issued over the next three years.

Advantages of an Open Work Permit (OWP).

The family open work permit offers several benefits to spouses or common-law partners of international students and foreign workers:

Flexibility to work anywhere in Canada: Unlike employer-specific work permits, OWPs are not tied to a particular employer, offering more job opportunities.

Pre-determined validity period: The validity of an OWP is typically determined in advance, making it easier to plan for long-term employment in Canada.

Broad eligibility: Most employers in most industries can hire OWP holders, providing flexibility in choosing a job.

For many newcomers to Canada, an OWP is highly sought after due to its flexibility and broad work opportunities.

Why Choose Wave Visas, the Best Immigration Consultant in Delhi.

If you're considering Canada immigration, navigating these new restrictions and the overall immigration process can be complex. This is where Wave Visas, recognized as the best immigration consultant in Delhi, can make all the difference. Our team of visa experts is well-versed in the latest Canadian immigration policies and can guide you through the entire process.

Whether you need assistance with work permits, study permits, or permanent residency applications, Wave Visas offers expert advice and personalized support. As a trusted Wave Immigration Consultant, we ensure that all your applications are submitted correctly and efficiently, minimizing the chances of delays or rejections.

If you're planning to move to Canada or need advice on the family open work permit process, don't hesitate to contact Wave Visas today for professional guidance.

Conclusion

The Canada immigration landscape is evolving, and understanding the new eligibility requirements for family open work permits is crucial for international students and foreign workers planning to bring their spouses or common-law partners to Canada. Whether you're looking to apply for a work permit or navigate other aspects of the immigration process, working with a reliable and experienced consultant like Wave Visas—the best immigration consultant in Delhi—can help streamline your journey. Contact us today to get expert advice and make your Canadian dream a reality.

Corporate Office : 2nd Floor, Right Side, Building №5, Kehar Singh Estate Westend Marg, Lane №2, Saidulajab, Saket New Delhi 110030.

[immigrationoffers]

Canada Visa Process

The government of Canada made drastic changes to "LMIA" exempt work permits in 2024, Affecting foreign nationals who wanted to work in Canada. Among the changes were revoking visa exemptions for Mexican nationals, effective February 29, 2024, and forcing them to adhere to stricter eTA requirements while prohibiting them from applying for work permits at Canadian ports of entry. The eligibility for the Spousal Open Work Permit was limited. The spouses of college and undergraduate students were no longer eligible starting March 19, 2024, except for spouses of students in medicine, law, and engineering programs. The Innovation Stream pilot will introduce the new employer-specific LMIA-exempt work permit for workers with NOC TEER 0 or 1 jobs in the select companies involved with the Global Hypergrowth Project as of April 15, 2024. Another important development was a temporary policy as of August 11, 2024 for PNP applicants to apply for open work permits, under which the new policy expired as of December 31, 2024, and the specific COVID-19 pandemic-era rule allowing certain visitor status holders to apply inside Canada for open work permits or other types ended on August 28, 2024.

In addition, the instructions for work permits for intra-company transferee clarified requirements including definitions of specialized knowledge and multinational corporation qualifications as of October 3, 2024. The TR to PR pathway temporary public policy was extended to December 31, 2026, providing applicants with access to open work permits. Flagpoling was prohibited as of December 23, 2024. Temporary residents are no longer permitted to access same-day immigration processing at ports of entry, although some exceptions will be allowed. In addition, targets for net new International Mobility Program (IMP) work permits were established for 2025–2027 to decrease temporary residents as a share of Canada's population. Announcements in September 2024 included intentions to further tighten SOWP eligibility, cutting access to spouses of master's students in programs over 16 months and spouses of workers in certain occupations, though these measures have not yet been implemented as of January 2025. TFWP and PGWP changes included temporary resident targets, field of study and language test requirements for PGWP eligibility, higher wage thresholds for TFWP high-wage streams, and a freeze on LMIA processing for low-wage streams in areas with unemployment rates above 6%. These reforms reflect the government’s policy direction to tighten immigration processes in 2024.

[icl-immigration]

Comprehensive Reforms to the Accredited Employer Work Visa

Comprehensive Reforms to the Accredited Employer Work Visa(AEWV)

17 December 2024: In a significant reform to NZ Work Visa, the New Zealand Government has announced a range of changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). These reforms will better meet the country’s economic needs, help businesses find the workers they need, and create a fairer, more balanced immigration system. The changes will be introduced in stages throughout 2025. Key Changes and Dates: No More Median Wage Threshold (From March 2025): Employers will no longer have to meet a median wage requirement. They must still pay the market rate for the job in their region, and this will not affect current employment agreements or the wages needed for AEWV holders to gain residence. Less Work Experience Required (From March 2025): The required work experience for lower-skilled migrant workers will drop from three years to two, making it easier for qualified workers to find employment. Longer Visa Duration for Certain Roles (From March 2025): Migrants working in ANZSCO level 4 or 5 jobs will be granted visas for three years instead of the current two-year visa plus a one-year extension. Interim Work Rights (From April 2025): Anyone applying for an AEWV from a work visa or a student visa (with work permission) will get interim work rights. This means they can keep working while their new visa is processed. Simplified Labour Market Test (From March 2025): Employers must declare that they advertised the role through Work and Income and considered any suitable New Zealand applicants. The mandatory 21-day waiting period will be removed, making the process more flexible. Higher Income Threshold for Dependent Children (From March 2025): The income threshold for AEWV holders to bring their children will increase from NZ$43,322 to NZ$55,844, reflecting current living costs. Lower Threshold for Construction Employers (From January 2025): Labour-hire companies filling specific construction jobs will see their domestic workforce threshold cut from 35% to 15%. This change should make it easier to fill important roles. Seasonal Visa Pathways (Late 2025): Two new seasonal work visas will be introduced—one offering a three-year multi-entry option for experienced seasonal workers and another allowing a single seven-month entry for less experienced workers. Existing seasonal visas will remain until then. No More Online Module Requirements (From 27 January 2025): Employers and Recognised Seasonal Employers will no longer need to complete Employment New Zealand’s online modules. Instead, Immigration New Zealand will guide them to reliable, free information on employment rights and obligations. Further Improvements: Immigration New Zealand plans to simplify the AEWV Job Check step, especially for low-risk employers, to speed up processing times and improve efficiency. Official Comments: Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says these changes are key to supporting the economy. Initial adjustments made earlier this year helped control immigration levels and reduce migrant exploitation. Since then, Immigration New Zealand has trained staff and improved operations, cutting median Employer Accreditation processing times from 62 days to 14 and doubling productivity in the Job Check process. She also confirmed that following the coalition agreement with ACT, the median wage threshold would be removed in March 2025. The previous system sometimes forced businesses to pay migrants more than local workers doing the same job or raise prices to maintain fairness. More Details: Additional information about these reforms will be released in early 2025. For the latest updates, visit the official Beehive website or the Immigration New Zealand portal. Reference https://www.beehive.govt.nz/ https://www.immigration.govt.nz/ About ICL Immigration ICL Immigration, based in Auckland, is an established licensed immigration adviser with over 20 years of experience and a remarkable 97% approval rate. We've helped over 1,000 immigrants realise their New Zealand settlement dreams. We specialise in a broad spectrum of visa services, including student, residency, and work visas, and business-related services like employer accreditation. Read the full article

[wavevisa001]

Spain passes reform bill to normalize around 300,000 migrants per year.

Spain says it will grant residency and work permits to around 300,000 undocumented migrants each year for the next three years.

Elma Saiz, Spain's Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, announced the new policy during an interview with Spain's national broadcaster on Wednesday.

"The regulation opens doors that were previously closed by means of three keys: formation, employment and family. Three keys that lead to inclusion, but with high standards in terms of legal requirements and in terms of human rights”, she explained.

The policy is set to come into force in May 2025 and remain in place until 2027. It is part of Spain's attempt to expand its labour force in the face of an ageing population.

Spain needs around 250,000 registered foreign workers a year to maintain its welfare state, Saiz said, explaining that the legalisation policy is not aimed solely at “cultural wealth and respect for human rights, it’s also prosperity.”

“Today, we can say Spain is a better country,” she added.

The reform shortens and simplifies legal and administrative procedures for work and residence permits, allowing migrants to register either as self-employed or salaried workers, and provides them with additional labour rights guarantees.

It also extends a visa previously offered to job-seekers for three months to one year.

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has often described his government's migration policies as a means to combat the country's low birth rate.

Spain is one of the European countries that receives the most irregular migrants each year. From January 1 to November 15 of 2024, more than 54, 000 migrants entered Spain irregularly, up 15.8% from 2023, according to data from the Spanish ministry of Interior.

In August, Sánchez visited three West African nations in an effort to address irregular migration to Spain’s Canary Islands.

The archipelago off the coast of Africa is seen by many as a step toward continental Europe with young men from Mali, Senegal, Mauritania and other areas seeking better job opportunities abroad or fleeing violence and political instability at home.

Many undocumented migrants make a living in Spain's underground economy as fruit pickers, caretakers, delivery drivers, or other low-paid but essential jobs often passed over by Spaniards.

Without legal protections, they can be vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Saiz said the new policy would help prevent such abuse and "serve to combat mafias, fraud and the violation of rights."

Spain's economy is among the fastest-growing in the European Union this year, boosted in part by a strong rebound in tourism after the pandemic.

In 2023, Spain issued 1.3 million visas to foreigners, according to the government.

[bhaskarlive]

South Africa announces new scheme to boost tourism from India

South Africa on Monday announced the creation of an innovative new Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) with an initial focus on the burgeoning tourist markets of India and China.

The scheme, set to be implemented from January 2025, will reform the visa system and is expected to “supercharge” job creation in the tourism sector, stated the country’s Home Affairs Department.

Source: bhaskarlive.in

[tcifiscal]

Virginia Charts A Path To A $15 Minimum Wage

The first increase in over 11 years will take effect in January 2021 During the 2020 session, the General Assembly adopted new legislation to increase Virginia’s minimum wage. Historically, Virginia has followed the federal minimum wage, which has been set at $7.25 since July 2009. This bill, which now awaits Gov. Northam’s signature, would gradually increase Virginia’s minimum wage to $12 by January 2023 and then outlines a path to $15 by 2026, contingent on the approval of the General Assembly.

This legislation is an overdue victory for working people in Virginia. At $7.25, our minimum wage is the lowest in the nation, when considering the typical cost of living in the commonwealth. People who are paid the minimum wage earn less per hour today than their counterparts did 50 years ago, after adjusting for inflation. 

If signed into law, this legislation will benefit nearly 800,000 workers by 2023, while also helping to close the gender and racial pay gap in Virginia. The analysis below summarizes the strengths of the bill and identifies areas in which the General Assembly can improve the law in the future. 

Highlights of The Minimum Wage Legislation

With this legislation, Virginia would chart its own course, rather than follow the federal minimum wage. After reaching $9.50 in January 2021, the minimum wage will gradually increase to $12 by January 2023. After that, the General Assembly will review a study, which was commissioned in the bill and discussed more below, before voting to approve additional increases in 2025 and 2026, when Virginia would achieve a $15 minimum wage. 

Between 1968 and 2020, the federal minimum wage has dramatically weakened compared to cost of living, typical wages for middle-income workers, and the productivity of workers. With this legislation, policymakers have helped to restore the minimum wage to a more reasonable level: by 2026, $15 per hour will be equivalent to $13.13 today.

As the minimum wage increases, nearly 800,000 people across the commonwealth will benefit by 2023. That number will grow to more than 1.1 million people if Virginia completes the path to $15 by 2026. Women, in particular, will see their wages improve because they account for roughly 60% of all people who will benefit from a higher minimum wage. By 2026, a $15 wage would also boost 558,000 working people of color.

This legislation not only strengthens our minimum wage law, it also includes new categories of workers. More specifically, the bill ensures that some categories of workers will be guaranteed a minimum wage for the first time, including:

Domestic service workers;

Workers with disabilities (except for workers covered by a specific federal statute);

“Piece workers,” i.e., people paid based on the amount of work done;

Those working for an employer with fewer than four employees.

One final highlight is the absence of a “regional” minimum wage. A previous version of the Senate’s bill would have permitted employers to pay some minimum wage employees less than others based on location, even if they had identical job titles, experience, and education. If implemented as drafted, that approach would have fueled inequality in the commonwealth. Instead, the legislature commissioned a comprehensive new study, not only on the wisdom and feasibility of a regional minimum wage, but also the potential impacts on employers and workers, as well as the cost of living in Virginia. The study will be completed and submitted to the General Assembly and the governor by December 2023, after which time lawmakers will decide whether to approve the minimum wage increases in 2025 and 2026. In the meantime, all non-exempt workers who are paid the minimum wage in the commonwealth — from the Eastern Shore to Southwest Virginia — will be treated equally.

Future Opportunities To Strengthen Virginia’s Minimum Wage

For all that this minimum wage legislation achieves, the General Assembly should return to this issue in the future to make the law even stronger. 

One area that is ripe for additional reform pertains to who is excluded from the minimum wage. Some workers, including those in agriculture, can still be paid a sub-minimum wage. Notably, agricultural workers who are classified under federal law as “temporary foreign workers” with H-2A visas earn significantly more per hour — currently $12.67 — because wages are set according to federal law. This means U.S. workers employed in the agricultural industry can earn far less than people who do the same work with H-2A visas. 

The legislation also created several new exclusions, including for au pairs, certain seasonal workers (e.g., amusement and recreational establishments) covered by a specific federal law, and participants in some training programs, during which time they can be paid 75% of the minimum wage for up to 90 days. The legislation, as passed, did not include enforcement and oversight provisions that were in a prior proposal, such as requiring employers to “make a good faith effort to continue to employ” the worker after the expiration of the training wage and prohibiting employers from using the training wage in a way that would negatively impact those currently employed. 

Finally, lawmakers can continue to strengthen Virginia’s minimum wage by approving increases in 2025 and 2026. Doing so would ultimately benefit more than 1.1 million people and establish a phase-in schedule that is in line with other states. In 2020 alone, 24 states across the country will raise their minimum wage. Today, 29 states and Washington, D.C. already have a minimum wage that is higher than the federal standard.

In the coming years, this minimum wage legislation will offer greater economic security and opportunity to working families all over the commonwealth. As Del. Jeion Ward explained in her floor remarks, “this legislation is for so many people who feel invisible in our economy but who are essential to our success.”

– Phil Hernandez, Senior Policy Fellow and Counsel

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Learn more about The Commonwealth Institute at www.thecommonwealthinstitute.org