Program delivery update: Family members of military personnel [R205(b) – C20] or spouses of military personnel if there is no reciprocal agreement [R205(c) – C41]
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
November 14, 2025
The instructions related to family members of military personnel have been updated to reflect changes to the instructions related to family members of workers that took effect on January 21, 2025.
The update is summarized as follows:
- Instructions about applications submitted outside the reciprocal agreements under paragraph R205(c)(ii) were updated to clarify that dependent children are not eligible to apply for an open work permit if the work permit application was received by IRCC or the CBSA on or after January 21, 2025, under administrative code C46 or C48. In addition, spouses of TEER 4 applicants are not eligible to apply for an open work permit under administrative code C47.
- Other changes were made throughout the instructions:
- Added instructions under ‘Documentary Evidence’ when there is no reciprocal agreement.
- Added instructions under ‘Approval’ when there is no reciprocal agreement.
- Added instructions under ‘Refusal,’ useful links and previous updates.