The provinces of Alberta and Ontario have each recently announced pilot projects that will allow working-age dependent children of temporary foreign workers in those provinces to obtain Open Work Permits.

The Open Work Permits will allow the holders to work in any occupation in Alberta or Ontario, without first receiving a confirmed job offer or a Labour Market Opinion from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). A Labour Market Opinion is a document that ESDC issues to employers that demonstrates that the employer’s temporary job offer meets the ESDC standards and is usually necessary for work permit issuance. However, Open Work Permit holders can work without having to undergo this process.

It is expected that facilitating employment for dependents of temporary foreign workers will attract more international workers with in-demand training and skills.

Between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010, dependent children of temporary foreign workers destined to either Alberta or Ontario will be eligible to apply for Open Work Permits if certain conditions are met.

The temporary foreign worker (primary applicant) must be found eligible for a work permit, and intend to work in Alberta or Ontario. This work permit must be employer-specific, and for an occupation that falls under the “A”, “0” or “B” skill levels in ESDC’s National Occupation Classification.

Dependent children of these primary applicants may apply for Open Work Permits if they are of legal working age in Alberta (18 years of age) and Ontario (14, 15, 16, or 18 years of age, depending on the occupation). Children are considered dependent if they are not married or in a common-law relationship, and under the age of 22.

Eligible dependent children may apply for Open Work Permits at the same time that the principal applicants apply for their Temporary Work Permits or later. A dependent child’s work permit will be valid for the same duration as the primary applicant’s work permit, and if the primary applicant’s work permit is extended, the dependent child’s work permit may be extended as well.

It is important to note that time period for these pilot projects does not refer to the duration of the open work permits, but rather the time period during which these work permits can be issued.

These pilot projects are being implemented as a part of immigration agreements both provinces signed with the Canadian government in April and May, 2008.