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Complete List of Jobs Eligible for Canada Spousal Open Work Permit

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January 24, 2025

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Ishita Soni

List of Eligible Jobs with NOC Codes 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
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
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:

  1. Visit the IRCC Eligibility Questionnaire: This helps you figure out which documents you need.
  2. 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.
  3. Submit Online: Apply through the IRCC website by uploading documents and paying the required fees.
  4. 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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