If you’re looking to bring your spouse or partner to Canada under the Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) program, it’s vital to be aware of the recent changes in eligibility requirements. As of 14 January 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has restricted eligibility to spouses of foreign workers employed in TEER 0, TEER 1, or in specific occupations within TEER 2 or TEER 3. Additionally, the principal applicant’s work permit must have at least 16 months of validity left for their spouse to qualify.
Below, we break down the list of TEER 2 and TEER 3 jobs that currently remain eligible for a spousal open work permit. We’ll also outline the steps you need to take when applying for a SOWP, highlight key details about NOC codes, and provide background on recent policy changes.
TEER 2 Jobs Eligible for Family Open Work Permit
NOC Group 22 – Technical Occupations Related to Natural and Applied Sciences
Occupation Title | NOC Code |
Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors | 22313 |
Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics | 22312 |
Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment) | 22311 |
Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians | 22310 |
Construction estimators | 22303 |
Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians | 22302 |
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians | 22301 |
Civil engineering technologists and technicians | 22300 |
Construction inspectors | 22233 |
Occupational health and safety specialists | 22232 |
Engineering inspectors and regulatory officers | 22231 |
Non-destructive testers and inspectors | 22230 |
Information systems testing technicians | 22222 |
User support technicians | 22221 |
Computer network and web technicians | 22220 |
Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology | 22214 |
Land survey technologists and technicians | 22213 |
Drafting technologists and technicians | 22212 |
Industrial designers | 22211 |
Architectural technologists and technicians | 22210 |
Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists | 22114 |
Conservation and fishery officers | 22113 |
Forestry technologists and technicians | 22112 |
Agricultural and fish products inspectors | 22111 |
Biological technologists and technicians | 22110 |
Geological and mineral technologists and technicians | 22101 |
Chemical technologists and technicians | 22100 |
NOC Group 32 – Technical Occupations in Health
Occupation Title | NOC Code |
Opticians | 32100 |
Licensed practical nurses | 32101 |
Paramedical occupations | 32102 |
Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists | 32103 |
Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians | 32104 |
Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment | 32109 |
Denturists | 32110 |
Dental hygienists and dental therapists | 32111 |
Dental technologists and technicians | 32112 |
Medical laboratory technologists | 32120 |
Medical radiation technologists | 32121 |
Medical sonographers | 32122 |
Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists | 32123 |
Pharmacy technicians | 32124 |
Other medical technologists and technicians | 32129 |
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists | 32200 |
Massage therapists | 32201 |
Other practitioners of natural healing | 32209 |
NOC Group 42 – Front-Line Public Protection Services and Paraprofessional Occupations in Legal, Social, Community, Education Services
Occupation Title | NOC Code |
Specialized members of the Canadian Armed Forces | 42102 |
Early childhood educators and assistants | 42202 |
NOC Group 72 – Technical Trades and Transportation Officers and Controllers
(Examples of occupations include contractors and supervisors in various trades, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, industrial mechanics, aircraft mechanics, heavy equipment operators, etc. Refer to the full list above for exact job titles and NOC codes.)
NOC Group 82 – Supervisors in Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Related Production
Occupation Title | NOC Code |
Supervisors, logging and forestry | 82010 |
Supervisors, mining and quarrying | 82020 |
Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services | 82021 |
Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors | 82030 |
Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services | 82031 |
TEER 3 Jobs Eligible for Family Open Work Permit
NOC Group 33 – Assisting Occupations in Support of Health Services
Occupation Title | NOC Code |
Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants | 33100 |
Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations | 33101 |
Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates | 33102 |
Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants | 33103 |
Other assisting occupations in support of health services | 33109 |
NOC Group 43 – Assisting Occupations in Education and in Legal and Public Protection
Occupation Title | NOC Code |
Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants | 43100 |
Operations Members of the Canadian Armed Forces | 43204 |
NOC Group 53 – Occupations in Art, Culture, and Sport
Occupation Title | NOC Code |
Athletes | 53200 |
Coaches | 53201 |
NOC Group 73 – General Trades
(Examples include concrete finishers, tilesetters, roofers and shinglers, transport truck drivers, bus drivers, railway engineers, heavy equipment operators, printing press operators, and more. Refer to the full list above for exact job titles and NOC codes.)
NOC Group 83 – Occupations in Natural Resources and Related Production
(Examples include underground miners, oil and gas well drillers, logging machinery operators, fishing masters and officers, and fishermen/women.)
Determining Your Occupation’s NOC Code
To ensure you qualify for a Spousal Open Work Permit based on occupation:
Compare Duties: Align your job duties with those outlined in the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Match Requirements: IRCC requires that you perform all of the key tasks and at least 51% of the main duties in your NOC code’s description.
How to Apply for a SOWP as the Spouse of a Foreign Worker
Eligibility Questionnaire:
Visit IRCC’s questionnaire page and answer all questions.
You’ll receive a personalized document checklist, a reference code, and instructions.
Document Collection:
Proof of Relationship: Marriage certificate or equivalent documentation.
Foreign Worker’s Valid Work Permit: Must show at least 16 months remaining.
Proof of Eligible Occupation: A letter from the employer confirming TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 position.
Create/Log In to IRCC Account:
Select “Visitor visa, study and/or work permit.”
Enter your reference code to generate your application.
Submit Your Application:
Upload your documents.
Review carefully and pay the required fees.
Save the confirmation page upon submission.
Recent SOWP Changes: A Quick Overview
Narrowed Eligibility: Spouses of foreign workers in TEER 0, 1, or specified TEER 2 or 3 occupations only.
Extended Validity Requirement: Principal applicant’s work permit must be valid for at least 16 more months.
Student Spouses: Now restricted to those enrolled in doctoral programs, master’s programs (16 months+), and certain professional degrees (DDS, DMD, MD, JD, PharmD, DVM, B.Ed., etc.).
Reduction in SOWP Issuances: Aims to lower the number of temporary residents and manage immigration targets. IRCC anticipates these changes will reduce SOWP issuance by 150,000 over the next three years.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always refer to the official IRCC website or consult a registered immigration consultant or lawyer for personalized guidance.