List of Eligible TEER 2 and 3 Jobs for Spousal Open Work Permit

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released the list of TEER 2 and TEER 3 occupations that remain eligible for spousal open work permits. This policy update impacts spouses of foreign workers, ensuring they meet new eligibility requirements to obtain a Canada work permit.

On 14 January 2025, the Canadian government declared that only spouses who worked in TEER 0, 1, or selective TEER 2 or 3. To be eligible for a spousal open work permit, the foreign worker must also have at least 16 months remaining on their work permit at the time their spouse applies for the SOWP.

TEER 2 Jobs that are Eligible for Family OPW

Let’s look at TEER 2 NOC groups that are eligible for a family Open Work permit:-

NOC Group 22 - Technical Occupations Related to Natural and Applied Sciences

NOC Group 32 - Technical Occupations in Health

NOC group 42 - Front-Line Public Protection Services and Paraprofessional Occupations in Legal, Social, Community, Education Services

NOC group 72 - Technical Trades and Transportation Officers and Controllers

NOC group 82 - Supervisors in Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Related Production

TEER 3 Jobs that are Eligible for Family OPW

NOC group 33 - Assisting Occupations in Support of Health Services

NOC group 43 - Assisting Occupations in Education and in Legal and Public Protection

NOC group 53 - Occupations in Art, Culture, and Sport

NOC group 73 - General Trades

NOC group 83 - Occupations in Natural Resources and Related Production

Determining Your Occupation's NOC Code

The job title your employer provides might not align directly with the title listed under your occupation’s NOC code. Instead of focusing on the job title, it is crucial to match your actual duties and responsibilities to those outlined in the NOC.

The candidate can compare the roles and responsibilities with the main duties mentioned in the NOC.

For immigration purposes, you should have performed all the tasks listed in the NOC's statement and at least 51% of its main duties.

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Applying for a SOWP as the Spouse of a Foreign Worker

If eligible, individuals seeking a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) in Canada can follow these steps:

1. Eligibility Questionnaire: Go to IRCC’s questionnaire page and answer all the prompts. After completion, you will receive a tailored document checklist, a personal reference code, and an application guide.

2. Document Collection: Gather the required documents such as includes the following

• Proof of your relationship with the principal applicant.
• Evidence that the applicant is or will be authorized to work in Canada.
• Confirmation that the principal applicant can work for at least 16 months after the SOWP application submission.
• Proof of the principal applicant’s employment in an eligible TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.

3. Online Account Registration: Log in or create an IRCC secure account. Select “Visitor visa, study and/or work permit” and enter your personal reference code to generate an application homepage.

4. Submit Application: Upload your documents, review your application, and pay the required fees. Once submitted, a confirmation page will appear.

Background on Recent SOWP Changes

The Canadian government has implemented new measures to reduce the temporary resident population, including adjustments to SOWP eligibility. For spouses of international students, SOWP eligibility is now limited to those enrolled in:

• Doctoral programs.
• Master’s programs lasting at least 16 months.
• Specific professional degree programs, including:
• Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS, DMD).
• Law (LLB, JD, BCL).
• Medicine (MD).
• Optometry (OD).
• Pharmacy (PharmD).
• Veterinary Medicine (DVM).
• Nursing (BScN).
• Education (B.Ed.).
• Engineering (B.Eng., BASc).

These changes are projected to reduce SOWP issuance by 150,000 over three years. Furthermore, IRCC has introduced targets for admitting new work permit holders under the International Mobility Program (IMP), within its annual Canada Immigration Levels Plan.

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