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Complete List of Jobs Eligible for Canada Spousal Open Work Permit

New Rules for Spouses of Foreign Workers
The Canadian government has updated its list of occupations that qualify for the Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP), and it may impact you if you are the spouse of a foreign worker in Canada. Let’s break down the new rules in simpler terms:
What’s Changed?
On January 14, Canada announced new eligibility requirements for spouses of foreign workers who want to apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP). The key update is that only spouses of foreign workers in certain jobs can now apply.
Before this, spouses could apply for a work permit no matter what job their partner had. But now, the worker must have a job in a TEER 0, TEER 1, or certain TEER 2 and TEER 3 occupations. Also, the foreign worker’s work permit must be valid for at least 16 more months when the spouse applies.
What Are TEER Occupations?
TEER stands for Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities. It’s a system that ranks jobs in Canada from the highest (TEER 0) to the lowest (TEER 5). Spouses of foreign workers can now apply for a SOWP only if their partner’s job is in one of the eligible TEER 0, TEER 1, 2, or 3 categories.
Teer 2 Noc codes eligible for SOWP
22100 – Chemical technologists and technicians |
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22101 – Geological and mineral technologists and technicians |
22110 – Biological technologists and technicians |
22111 – Agricultural and fish products inspectors |
22112 – Forestry technologists and technicians |
22113 – Conservation and fishery officers |
22114 – Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists |
22210 – Architectural technologists and technicians |
22211 – Industrial designers |
22212 – Drafting technologists and technicians |
22213 – Land survey technologists and technicians |
22214 – Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology |
22220 – Computer network and web technicians |
22221 – User support technicians |
22222 – Information systems testing technicians |
22230 – Non-destructive testers and inspectors |
22231 – Engineering inspectors and regulatory officers |
22232 – Occupational health and safety specialists |
22233 – Construction inspectors |
22300 – Civil engineering technologists and technicians |
22301 – Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians |
22302 – Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians |
22303 – Construction estimators |
22310 – Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians |
22311 – Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment) |
22312 – Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics |
22313 – Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors |
32100 – Opticians |
32101 – Licensed practical nurses |
32102 – Paramedical occupations |
32103 – Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists |
32104 – Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians |
32109 – Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment |
32110 – Denturists |
32111 – Dental hygienists and dental therapists |
32112 – Dental technologists and technicians |
32120 – Medical laboratory technologists |
32121 – Medical radiation technologists |
32122 – Medical sonographers |
32123 – Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists |
32124 – Pharmacy technicians |
32129 – Other medical technologists and technicians |
32200 – Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists |
32201 – Massage therapists |
32209 – Other practitioners of natural healing |
42102 – Specialized members of the Canadian Armed Forces |
42202 – Early childhood educators and assistants |
72010 – Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations |
72011 – Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations |
72012 – Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades |
72013 – Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades |
72014 – Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers |
72020 – Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades |
72021 – Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews |
72022 – Supervisors, printing and related occupations |
72023 – Supervisors, railway transport operations |
72024 – Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators |
72025 – Supervisors, mail and message distribution occupations |
72100 – Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors |
72101 – Tool and die makers |
72102 – Sheet metal workers |
72103 – Boilermakers |
72104 – Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters |
72105 – Ironworkers |
72106 – Welders and related machine operators |
72200 – Electricians (except industrial and power system) |
72201 – Industrial electricians |
72202 – Power system electricians |
72203 – Electrical power line and cable workers |
72204 – Telecommunications line and cable installers and repairers |
72205 – Telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technicians |
72300 – Plumbers |
72301 – Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers |
72302 – Gas fitters |
72310 – Carpenters |
72311 – Cabinetmakers |
72320 – Bricklayers |
72321 – Insulators |
72400 – Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics |
72401 – Heavy-duty equipment mechanics |
72402 – Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics |
72403 – Railway carmen/women |
72404 – Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors |
72405 – Machine fitters |
72406 – Elevator constructors and mechanics |
72410 – Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers |
72411 – Auto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians and damage repair estimators |
72420 – Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics |
72421 – Appliance servicers and repairers |
72422 – Electrical mechanics |
72423 – Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics |
72429 – Other small engine and small equipment repairers |
72500 – Crane operators |
72501 – Water well drillers |
72600 – Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors |
72601 – Air traffic controllers and related occupations |
72602 – Deck officers, water transport |
72603 – Engineer officers, water transport |
72604 – Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators |
72999 – Other technical trades and related occupations |
82010 – Supervisors, logging and forestry |
82020 – Supervisors, mining and quarrying |
82021 – Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services |
82030 – Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors |
82031 – Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services |
Teer 3 Noc codes eligible for SOWP
33100 – Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants |
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33101 – Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations |
33102 – Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates |
33103 – Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants |
33109 – Other assisting occupations in support of health services |
43100 – Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants |
43204 – Operations Members of the Canadian Armed Forces |
53200 – Athletes |
53201 – Coaches |
73100 – Concrete finishers |
73101 – Tilesetters |
73102 – Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers |
73110 – Roofers and shinglers |
73111 – Glaziers |
73112 – Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) |
73113 – Floor covering installers |
73200 – Residential and commercial installers and servicers |
73201 – General building maintenance workers and building superintendents |
73202 – Pest controllers and fumigators |
73209 – Other repairers and servicers |
73300 – Transport truck drivers |
73301 – Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators |
73310 – Railway and yard locomotive engineers |
73311 – Railway conductors and brakemen/women |
73400 – Heavy equipment operators |
73401 – Printing press operators |
73402 – Drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction |
83100 – Underground production and development miners |
83101 – Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers |
83110 – Logging machinery operators |
83120 – Fishing masters and officers |
83121 – Fishermen/women |
Which Jobs Are Eligible?
There’s a detailed list of jobs under TEER 2 and TEER 3 that qualify for the SOWP. These include technical roles like engineers, technicians, and health-related jobs like nurses and medical lab technologists. It also covers trades, construction jobs, and some positions in education and public services.
Steps to Apply for a SOWP
If you’re eligible, here’s how you can apply:
- Visit the IRCC Eligibility Questionnaire: This helps you figure out which documents you need.
- Gather Documents: You’ll need proof of your relationship and your partner’s job, as well as evidence that your partner’s work permit is valid for at least 16 months.
- Submit Online: Apply through the IRCC website by uploading documents and paying the required fees.
- Wait for a Decision: Processing times can vary depending on your location.
What Happens If My Partner’s Job Doesn’t Qualify?
Unfortunately, if your partner’s job is not on the updated list, you will not be eligible for the Spousal Open Work Permit under these new rules.
Are Old Permits Still Valid?
Yes! If you already have a work permit that was approved before January 21, 2025, it is still valid.
Can I Apply from Outside Canada?
Yes, spouses living outside of Canada can still apply for a SOWP, as long as they meet the requirements.
Conclusion
These changes may seem a bit tricky, but they aim to make sure the right workers and their families benefit from the Spousal Open Work Permit. If your partner’s occupation qualifies and you have all the necessary documents, you’re one step closer to working in Canada!
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