RCIC News. 
New 2025 rules for dependent children seeking work permits in Canada
On This Page You Will Find:
- Discover which dependent children qualify for open work permits in 2025
- Learn the exact age requirements and provincial restrictions your family must follow
- Understand recent policy changes affecting temporary foreign worker families
- Get step-by-step guidance for work permit applications
- Explore alternative pathways when open work permits aren't available
Summary:
If you're a foreign worker in Canada wondering whether your children can join the workforce, the answer is more complex than you might expect. Recent policy changes have both expanded and restricted opportunities for dependent children, creating confusion for many families. Your children must apply for their own work permits, but eligibility depends on your immigration status, their age, and specific program requirements. This comprehensive guide breaks down the new rules, explains which families qualify for open work permits, and provides clear next steps for navigating Canada's evolving immigration landscape in 2025.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Dependent children under 22 can get open work permits if their parent is authorized to work in Canada
- Recent policy changes (January 2025) have created new restrictions for some worker categories
- Provincial minimum age requirements must be met before children can work legally
- Alternative LMIA pathways exist when open work permits aren't available
- Medical examinations may be required depending on the child's country of origin
Maria Santos received the call she'd been dreading. Her 19-year-old daughter Carmen had just been offered a part-time job at a local café in Toronto, but the manager needed to see her work permit by Friday. As a temporary foreign worker from the Philippines, Maria thought her daughter would automatically be eligible to work. She was wrong.
The reality is that thousands of families across Canada face this same confusion every month. While some dependent children can obtain open work permits, others find themselves caught in a web of restrictions that seem to change overnight.
Who Qualifies for Open Work Permits in 2025
The good news is that many dependent children can work legally in Canada without their employer needing a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). However, the rules have become increasingly specific about who qualifies.
Children of Authorized Workers
If you're currently authorized to work in Canada and actively employed, your dependent children under 22 may be eligible for an open work permit. This applies whether you're working under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) or the International Mobility Program (IMP).
The key requirement is that you must be currently working – not just authorized to work. Your employment authorization needs to be active, and you need to demonstrate ongoing employment in Canada.
Family Members in Sponsorship Process
Your children have another pathway if you're in the middle of sponsoring family members for permanent residence. Dependent children included in permanent residence applications can apply for open work permits once they receive an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) letter confirming their application is being processed.
This option provides crucial financial support for families during what can be a lengthy permanent residence process, often taking 12-18 months or longer.
LMIA Exemption Categories
Dependent children of Temporary Foreign Workers can obtain work permits under specific LMIA exemption codes C46 and C48. These exemptions require the child to hold valid Temporary Resident Status and meet provincial age requirements for employment.
Recent Policy Changes That Affect Your Family
The immigration landscape shifted dramatically on January 21, 2025, at 5:00 UTC, when new eligibility requirements took effect for family members of workers.
Expanded Temporary Measures
Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced temporary expansions to address Canada's ongoing labour shortages. These measures extend work permit eligibility to more family members of individuals in both the TFWP and IMP programs.
The expansion recognizes that family financial stability often depends on multiple income sources, especially given Canada's rising cost of living. For many families, a single income simply isn't enough to maintain their standard of living while building their future in Canada.
New Restrictions for Some Categories
However, the same policy update introduced restrictions that caught many families off guard. Dependent children of both high-skilled and low-skilled workers are no longer automatically eligible for dependent open work permits under certain circumstances.
This change has created a two-tier system where eligibility depends heavily on the specific nature of your work authorization and the program under which you're employed.
Provincial Age Requirements You Must Know
Before your children can start working, you need to understand that employment laws vary significantly across Canada's provinces and territories.
Minimum Age Standards
Most provinces set the minimum working age at 14-16 years, but specific restrictions apply to different types of work. For example, children under 16 typically cannot work in hazardous environments or during school hours.
In Ontario, children aged 14-15 can work with restrictions on hours and types of employment. British Columbia allows children as young as 12 to work in certain non-hazardous jobs with proper permits.
Industry-Specific Restrictions
Your child's intended job type matters significantly. Food service, retail, and office work generally have more lenient age requirements compared to construction, manufacturing, or positions involving machinery.
Restaurant work, one of the most common entry-level jobs for young people, typically requires workers to be at least 14-15 years old, depending on the province. However, positions involving alcohol service usually require workers to be 18 or older.
Alternative Pathways When Open Work Permits Aren't Available
If your child doesn't qualify for an open work permit, don't lose hope. Several alternative options exist, though they require more effort from both you and the potential employer.
Employer-Specific Work Permits
The most common alternative involves the employer obtaining an LMIA from Employment and Social Development Canada. This document demonstrates that hiring your child won't negatively impact the Canadian labour market.
While this process takes longer and costs the employer money (typically $1,000 per position), many employers are willing to pursue this route for reliable, motivated young workers.
Student Work Programs
If your child is enrolled in a Canadian educational institution, they may be eligible for work permits tied to their student status. International students can typically work up to 20 hours per week during studies and full-time during scheduled breaks.
This pathway often provides the most flexibility and can lead to post-graduation work permits, creating a bridge to permanent residence.
Medical Examinations and Health Requirements
Depending on your child's country of origin and the length of their intended stay, medical examinations may be required as part of the work permit application process.
When Medical Exams Are Required
Children from countries with higher rates of certain communicable diseases typically need medical examinations. The requirement also applies if your child plans to work in healthcare, with children, or in food service.
The medical examination must be conducted by a panel physician approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Results are typically valid for 12 months from the date of the exam.
Costs and Timeline
Medical examinations cost between $200-$500 per person, depending on the required tests. Factor in 2-4 weeks for appointment scheduling and results processing when planning your application timeline.
Application Process and Required Documents
Successfully obtaining a work permit for your dependent child requires careful preparation and attention to detail.
Essential Documentation
You'll need to provide proof of your own work authorization, evidence of your child's dependency status, and documentation of your family relationship. Birth certificates, passports, and your current work permit are typically required.
Financial support documentation may also be necessary to demonstrate your family's ability to support your child during their stay in Canada.
Processing Times and Fees
Current processing times for work permit applications range from 4-12 weeks, depending on your child's country of residence and the specific type of application. Application fees are $155 per person, plus $85 for biometrics if required.
Online applications generally process faster than paper submissions, and ensuring all documentation is complete and accurate can prevent delays that extend processing times by months.
Common Mistakes That Delay Applications
Many families make preventable errors that significantly delay their children's work permit applications.
Incomplete Family Information
Failing to declare all family members or providing inconsistent information across different applications can trigger additional review processes. Always ensure information matches exactly across all immigration documents.
Incorrect Fee Payments
Using outdated fee schedules or paying incorrect amounts results in automatic application returns. Always verify current fees on the IRCC website immediately before submitting your application.
Missing Provincial Requirements
Forgetting to research provincial employment standards or age requirements can lead to situations where your child receives a work permit but cannot legally work in their intended position.
What This Means for Your Family's Future
Understanding work permit options for dependent children is about more than immediate employment – it's about building a foundation for your family's long-term success in Canada.
Young people who gain early work experience in Canada develop language skills, professional networks, and cultural understanding that benefit them throughout their lives. This early integration often leads to better educational opportunities and smoother transitions to permanent residence.
The income your children earn can also provide crucial financial support during your family's establishment period, helping offset the significant costs associated with immigration and settlement.
Conclusion
Navigating work permits for dependent children requires understanding complex and evolving regulations, but the opportunities available can significantly benefit your family's Canadian journey. While recent policy changes have created both new opportunities and restrictions, most families can find a pathway for their children to work legally in Canada.
Start by assessing your current immigration status and your children's ages, then research provincial requirements in your intended location. Whether through open work permits, employer-specific permits, or student work programs, options exist to help your children contribute to your family's success while building their own Canadian experience.
The key is starting the process early, ensuring all documentation is complete, and staying informed about policy changes that might affect your family's eligibility. With proper preparation and understanding of the requirements, your children can join Canada's workforce and begin building their own Canadian story.
FAQ
Q: Can my dependent children automatically work in Canada if I have a valid work permit?
No, your dependent children cannot automatically work in Canada even if you have a valid work permit. They must apply for their own work permits. However, if you're currently authorized to work in Canada and actively employed, your dependent children under 22 may be eligible for an open work permit under LMIA exemption codes C46 and C48. The key requirement is that you must be currently working – not just authorized to work – and your employment authorization needs to be active. Your children must also hold valid Temporary Resident Status and meet provincial age requirements for employment, which typically range from 14-16 years depending on the province and type of work.
Q: What changed with the new immigration rules in January 2025 for dependent children?
On January 21, 2025, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced significant policy changes that both expanded and restricted opportunities for dependent children. The temporary measures expanded work permit eligibility to more family members of individuals in both the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and International Mobility Program (IMP) to address Canada's labour shortages. However, the same update introduced new restrictions where dependent children of both high-skilled and low-skilled workers are no longer automatically eligible for dependent open work permits under certain circumstances. This created a two-tier system where eligibility now depends heavily on the specific nature of your work authorization and the program under which you're employed, causing confusion for many families who previously qualified.
Q: What are the minimum age requirements for children to work in different Canadian provinces?
Provincial age requirements vary significantly across Canada. Most provinces set the minimum working age at 14-16 years, but specific restrictions apply to different types of work. In Ontario, children aged 14-15 can work with restrictions on hours and types of employment, while British Columbia allows children as young as 12 to work in certain non-hazardous jobs with proper permits. Industry-specific restrictions also apply – children under 16 typically cannot work in hazardous environments or during school hours. Food service and retail work generally have more lenient age requirements (14-15 years) compared to construction or manufacturing. However, positions involving alcohol service usually require workers to be 18 or older, regardless of the province.
Q: What alternatives exist if my child doesn't qualify for an open work permit?
If your child doesn't qualify for an open work permit, several alternatives exist. The most common is an employer-specific work permit, where the employer obtains a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada. This costs the employer typically $1,000 per position and demonstrates that hiring your child won't negatively impact the Canadian labour market. Another option is student work programs – if your child is enrolled in a Canadian educational institution, they may be eligible for work permits tied to their student status, allowing up to 20 hours per week during studies and full-time during breaks. Additionally, if you're sponsoring family members for permanent residence and your child is included in the application, they can apply for open work permits once they receive an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) letter.
Q: When are medical examinations required for dependent children applying for work permits?
Medical examinations are required for dependent children from countries with higher rates of certain communicable diseases, or if your child plans to work in specific sectors like healthcare, childcare, or food service. The examination must be conducted by a panel physician approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and costs between $200-$500 per person, depending on required tests. Results are typically valid for 12 months from the exam date. You should factor in 2-4 weeks for appointment scheduling and results processing when planning your application timeline. The requirement also applies based on the length of intended stay, so even if your child's country doesn't typically require medical exams, longer work permit durations might trigger this requirement.
Q: How long does it take to process a work permit application for dependent children and what does it cost?
Current processing times for dependent children's work permit applications range from 4-12 weeks, depending on your child's country of residence and the specific type of application. The application fee is $155 per person, plus an additional $85 for biometrics if required. Online applications generally process faster than paper submissions. To avoid delays that can extend processing times by months, ensure all documentation is complete and accurate before submission. Common delays occur from incomplete family information, incorrect fee payments using outdated schedules, or missing provincial employment requirements. Always verify current fees on the IRCC website immediately before submitting, as fee structures can change without notice.
Q: What documents do I need to submit for my dependent child's work permit application?
Essential documentation includes proof of your own work authorization, evidence of your child's dependency status, and documentation of your family relationship such as birth certificates and passports. You'll also need your current work permit and financial support documentation demonstrating your family's ability to support your child during their stay in Canada. If your child is from a country requiring medical examinations, you'll need results from an IRCC-approved panel physician. Ensure all information matches exactly across immigration documents, as inconsistent family information can trigger additional review processes. For employer-specific work permits, you'll also need the LMIA document and a job offer letter. Keep copies of all documents and verify that names, dates, and other details are consistent across all paperwork to prevent processing delays.