Canada’s decision to phase out open work permits from 2026 is expected to have implications for Nigerians and other foreign nationals who rely on the country’s flexible work authorisation system as a pathway to employment and permanent residence.
The reforms, first highlighted in policy briefings by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and widely reported by immigration analysts, will replace most open work permits with role-specific work licences tied to employers, sectors or provincial labour needs.
A Canada Open Work Permit (OWP) is a document allowing foreign nationals to work for nearly any employer in Canada, offering flexibility by not tying them to a specific job, location, or company, unlike closed permits. It provides freedom to change jobs, gain diverse experience, and often doesn’t require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or a specific job offer, though eligibility is limited to certain programs like Post-Graduation Work Permits or for spouses of skilled worker migrants.
For years, Canada has been one of the top destinations for Nigerian migrants, driven by limited job opportunities at home, currency pressures and a growing youth population. This new policy direction signals a more selective approach.
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A shift away from flexibility
Open work permits have historically allowed Nigerian international students, spouses of skilled workers and post-graduation jobseekers to change employers freely while building Canadian work experience. From 2026, that flexibility will largely disappear.
Richard Kurland, a Canadian immigration lawyer and long-time policy analyst, said the change reflects a fundamental reset of the system. “Open work permits were never meant to function as an open labour market gateway,” he said in an interview. “What this means for many migrants is that mobility will be replaced by obligation, you work where your licence allows, or you stop working.”
For Nigerians who often rely on adaptability to navigate unfamiliar labour markets, immigration advisers say this represents a major adjustment.
What the new system means
Under the proposed framework, foreign skilled workers will increasingly need confirmed job offers before securing long-term work authorisation. Licences are expected to prioritise sectors such as healthcare, construction, agriculture, skilled trades and selected technology roles, areas where Canada continues to report shortages.
Carol Tran, a labour economist specialising in migration policy, said the reforms reflect political pressure on the federal government. “Canada is under pressure to demonstrate that migration is targeted and economically justified,” she said during a policy roundtable on labour migration in Toronto. “For African migrants, including Nigerians, this means the bar will be higher, but the pathways will still exist for those with in-demand skills.”
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Impact on students and family migration
The changes are likely to be felt most acutely by international students and their families. Canada has long been attractive partly because spouses could work under open permits, helping households manage rising living costs.
Marina Brigham, a Toronto-based regulated immigration consultant, warned that many families may be unprepared for the shift. “A lot of Nigerian families planned their move around the assumption that both partners could work,” she said. “That assumption no longer holds. Planning now has to start from the job offer, not after arrival.”
Provinces gain influence over labour demand
Provinces are expected to play a stronger role in determining which occupations qualify under the new system, potentially benefiting foreign skilled workers whose skills align with regional shortages. Healthcare workers, particularly nurses trained in Nigeria, are widely expected to remain in demand, alongside construction and agro-food roles.
However, analysts caution that the increased provincial influence could make the system more complex for applicants unfamiliar with Canada’s decentralised labour market.
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Government says reforms will restore balance
Canadian officials insist the reforms are necessary to protect workers and maintain public confidence in immigration. Speaking during a federal briefing on temporary foreign worker reforms, Randy Boissonnault, employment minister said the system must remain tightly linked to labour shortages.
“The Temporary Foreign Worker Program is designed to fill gaps when qualified Canadians are not available,” he said in a statement released by the Government of Canada. “These changes strengthen oversight and ensure the system works for workers, employers and communities alike.”
Transitional relief, but tougher rules ahead
Some transitional measures remain in place. Those who applied under the Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident pathway are still eligible for extended open work permits until the end of 2026, according to IRCC guidance. Beyond that period, most new applicants will fall fully under the work licence regime.
The government is also consulting on additional requirements, including possible language testing for certain permit categories from 2026 or early 2027, a proposal outlined in federal regulatory planning notices.
As Canada tightens access, migration experts say Nigerians will need to adopt a more strategic approach. Securing employment before arrival, aligning skills with priority sectors and understanding provincial labour needs will become increasingly critical.
“The message is clear,” Kurland said in follow-up commentary on Canada’s temporary residence reforms. “Canada still wants skilled migrants, including from Africa, but it wants them pre-matched to the economy.”
For Nigerians considering Canada, the end of open work permits underscores a shifting reality: opportunity remains, but access will depend far more on preparation, employer sponsorship and alignment with Canada’s labour priorities.
