Canada’s decision to phase out open work permits starting in 2026 is expected to impact Nigerians and other foreign nationals who rely on the country’s flexible work permit system as a route to employment and permanent residence.
The reform, first highlighted at an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) policy briefing and widely reported by immigration analysts, would replace most open work permits with role-specific work permits tied to the labor needs of an employer, sector, or province.
The Canadian Open Work Permit (OWP) is a document that allows foreign nationals to work for almost any employer in Canada, and unlike a closed permit, it provides flexibility as it is not tied to a specific job, location, or company. This gives you the freedom to move jobs, gain diverse experience, and often does not require a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or a specific job offer, although eligibility is limited to certain programs such as post-graduation work permits and spouses of skilled labor immigrants.
Canada has long been one of the top destinations for Nigerian immigrants due to limited domestic employment opportunities, exchange rate pressures and a growing youth population. This new policy direction represents a more selective approach.
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Moving away from flexibility
The open work permit system has historically allowed Nigerian students, spouses of skilled workers, and post-graduate job seekers to freely change employers while gaining work experience in Canada. After 2026, that flexibility will be largely gone.
Richard Kurland, a Canadian immigration lawyer and longtime policy analyst, said the changes reflect a fundamental reset of the system. “Open work permits were never intended to serve as a gateway to an open labor market,” he said in an interview. “What this means for many immigrants is that mobility is replaced by obligation: either work as much as your license allows or quit your job.”
Immigration advisers say it’s a major adjustment for Nigerians who often rely on adaptability to navigate an unfamiliar labor market.
What the new system means
Under the proposed framework, skilled foreign workers will increasingly need a firm job offer before being granted a long-term work permit. Licenses are expected to be prioritized in sectors where Canada continues to report shortages, including health care, construction, agriculture, skilled trades and certain technology fields.
Carol Tran, a labor economist who specializes in immigration policy, said the reforms reflect political pressure on the federal government. “Canada is under pressure to demonstrate that immigration is targeted and economically justifiable,” she said at the Policy Roundtable on Labor Immigration in Toronto. “For African immigrants, including Nigerians, this means higher hurdles, but there are still avenues for those with in-demand skills.”
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Impact on student and family migration
The people most sensitive to this change will be international students and their families. Canada has long been attractive, in part because spouses can work with free permission, making it easier for households to manage rising costs of living.
Marina Brigham, a Toronto-based regulatory immigration consultant, warned that many families may not be ready for the change. “Many Nigerian families planned their migration based on the assumption that both partners were working,” she says. “That assumption no longer holds true. Planning must start with the job offer, not after arrival.”
States gain more influence over labor demand
States are expected to play a stronger role in determining eligible occupations under the new system, which could benefit skilled foreign workers whose skills match local talent shortages. Health workers, particularly Nigerian-trained nurses, are widely expected to remain in demand, along with construction and agri-food roles.
But analysts warn that increasing provincial influence could make the system more complex for applicants unaccustomed to Canada’s decentralized labor market.
Also read: Canada: More than 31,000 post-graduation work permits set to expire by Dec. 31 – Report
Government says reforms will restore balance
Canadian authorities say the reforms are needed to protect workers and maintain public confidence in immigration. Employment Minister Randy Boissonneau said at a federal government briefing on temporary foreign worker reform that the system must remain closely linked to labor shortages.
“The Temporary Foreign Worker Program is designed to fill the gap when there is a shortage of qualified Canadians,” he said in a statement released by the Canadian government. “These changes will increase oversight and ensure the system works for both workers, employers and communities alike.”
This is a temporary relaxation, but stricter rules await in the future.
Some transitional measures will remain in place. According to IRCC guidance, those who applied under the temporary to permanent resident pathway will continue to be eligible for an extended open work permit until the end of 2026. After that period, most new applicants will be fully covered by the work permit system.
The government is also discussing additional requirements, including the possibility of language testing for certain permit categories from 2026 or early 2027, with proposals outlined in the Federal Regulatory Planning Notice.
As Canada strengthens access, immigration experts say Nigerians need to adopt a more strategic approach. It will become increasingly important to secure employment before arrival, align skills to priority areas, and understand the state’s labor needs.
“The message is clear,” Kurland said in a follow-up commentary on Canada’s temporary residency reform. “Canada still wants skilled immigrants, including those from Africa, but we want them to fit into the economy up front.”
For Nigerians considering entering Canada, the end of open work permits highlights a changing reality. Opportunities remain, but access depends largely on preparation, employer support, and alignment with Canada’s labor priorities.
