Canadian Spousal Work Permit Eligible Jobs

Canadian Spousal Work Permit Eligible Jobs

The Canadian government has released an updated list of TEER 2 and TEER 3 occupations that qualify for the Canada Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP).

This policy update impacts spouses of foreign workers in Canada, ensuring they meet new eligibility requirements to obtain a work permit.

On January 14, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a significant policy shift for SOWP eligibility.

Spouses of foreign workers will now only qualify if the foreign worker is employed in:

1. A TEER 0 occupation;
2. A TEER 1 occupation; or
3. Only few eligible TEER 2 and TEER 3 occupations.

Additionally, for a spouse or partner to qualify under the new rules, the foreign worker must have at least 16 months remaining on their work permit at the time of the SOWP application.

These changes, which took effect on January 21, do not affect previously approved valid work permits or their eligible renewals.

Prior to this update, spouses could apply for SOWPs regardless of the foreign worker’s occupation.

TEER, which stands for Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities, is a classification system under Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC).

It categorizes occupations by skill level, with TEER 0 being the highest and TEER 5 being the lowest.

Full List of Eligible TEER 2 and TEER 3 Occupations for SOWPs

Below is the detailed list of occupations classified under TEER 2 and TEER 3 that remain eligible for spousal open work permits:

Here’s the separated list format for the provided tables:

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

1. Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors: NOC Code 22313
2. Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics: NOC Code 22312
3. Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment): NOC Code 22311
4. Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians: NOC Code 22310
5. Construction estimators: NOC Code 22303
6. Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians: NOC Code 22302
7. Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians: NOC Code 22301
8. Civil engineering technologists and technicians: NOC Code 22300
9. Construction inspectors: NOC Code 22233
10. Occupational health and safety specialists: NOC Code 22232
11. Engineering inspectors and regulatory officers: NOC Code 22231
12. Non-destructive testers and inspectors: NOC Code 22230
13. Information systems testing technicians: NOC Code 22222
14. User support technicians: NOC Code 22221
15. Computer network and web technicians: NOC Code 22220
16. Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology: NOC Code 22214
17. Land survey technologists and technicians: NOC Code 22213
18. Drafting technologists and technicians: NOC Code 22212
19. Industrial designers: NOC Code 22211
20. Architectural technologists and technicians: NOC Code 22210
21. Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists: NOC Code 22114
22. Conservation and fishery officers: NOC Code 22113
23. Forestry technologists and technicians: NOC Code 22112
24. Agricultural and fish products inspectors: NOC Code 22111
25. Biological technologists and technicians: NOC Code 22110
26. Geological and mineral technologists and technicians: NOC Code 22101
27. Chemical technologists and technicians: NOC Code 22100

NOC Group 32 – Technical Occupations in Health

1. Opticians: NOC Code 32100
2. Licensed practical nurses: NOC Code 32101
3. Paramedical occupations: NOC Code 32102
4. Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists: NOC Code 32103
5. Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians: NOC Code 32104
6. Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment: NOC Code 32109
7. Denturists: NOC Code 32110
8. Dental hygienists and dental therapists: NOC Code 32111
9. Dental technologists and technicians: NOC Code 32112
10. Medical laboratory technologists: NOC Code 32120
11. Medical radiation technologists: NOC Code 32121
12. Medical sonographers: NOC Code 32122
13. Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists: NOC Code 32123
14. Pharmacy technicians: NOC Code 32124
15. Other medical technologists and technicians: NOC Code 32129
16. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists: NOC Code 32200
17. Massage therapists: NOC Code 32201
18. Other practitioners of natural healing: NOC Code 32209

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

1. Specialized members of the Canadian Armed Forces: NOC Code 42102
2. Early childhood educators and assistants: NOC Code 42202

NOC Group 72 – Technical Trades and Transportation Officers and Controllers

1. Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations: NOC Code 72010
2. Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations: NOC Code 72011
3. Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades: NOC Code 72012
4. Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades: NOC Code 72013
5. Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers: NOC Code 72014
6. Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades: NOC Code 72020
7. Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews: NOC Code 72021
8. Supervisors, printing and related occupations: NOC Code 72022
9. Supervisors, railway transport operations: NOC Code 72023
10. Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators: NOC Code 72024
11. Supervisors, mail and message distribution occupations: NOC Code 72025
12. Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors: NOC Code 72100
13. Tool and die makers: NOC Code 72101
14. Sheet metal workers: NOC Code 72102
15. Boilermakers: NOC Code 72103
16. Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters: NOC Code 72104
17. Ironworkers: NOC Code 72105
18. Welders and related machine operators: NOC Code 72106
19. Electricians (except industrial and power system): NOC Code 72200
20. Industrial electricians: NOC Code 72201
21. Power system electricians: NOC Code 72202

NOC Group 33 – Assisting Occupations in Support of Health Services

1. Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants – NOC 33100
2. Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations – NOC 33101
3. Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates – NOC 33102
4. Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants – NOC 33103
5. Other assisting occupations in support of health services – NOC 33109

NOC Group 43 – Assisting Occupations in Education and Legal, Public Protection

1. Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants – NOC 43100
2. Operations Members of the Canadian Armed Forces – NOC 43204

NOC Group 53 – Occupations in Art, Culture, and Sport

1. Athletes – NOC 53200
2. Coaches – NOC 53201

NOC Group 73 – General Trades

1. Concrete finishers – NOC 73100
2. Tilesetters – NOC 73101
3. Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers, and lathers – NOC 73102
4. Roofers and shinglers – NOC 73110
5. Glaziers – NOC 73111
6. Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) – NOC 73112
7. Floor covering installers – NOC 73113
8. Residential and commercial installers and servicers – NOC 73200
9. General building maintenance workers and building superintendents – NOC 73201
10. Pest controllers and fumigators – NOC 73202
11. Other repairers and servicers – NOC 73209
12. Transport truck drivers – NOC 73300
13. Bus drivers, subway operators, and other transit operators – NOC 73301
14. Railway and yard locomotive engineers – NOC 73310
15. Railway conductors and brakemen/women – NOC 73311
16. Heavy equipment operators – NOC 73400
17. Printing press operators – NOC 73401
18. Drillers and blasters – surface mining, quarrying, and construction – NOC 73402

NOC Group 82: Supervisory Roles in Natural Resources

1. Supervisors, logging and forestry – NOC 82010
2. Supervisors, mining and quarrying – NOC 82020
3. Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services – NOC 82021
4. Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors – NOC 82030
5. Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance, and horticulture services – NOC 82031

NOC Group 83 – Occupations in Natural Resources and Related Production

1. Underground production and development miners – NOC 83100
2. Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers, and related workers – NOC 83101
3. Logging machinery operators – NOC 83110
4. Fishing masters and officers – NOC 83120
5. Fishermen/women – NOC 83121

Steps to Apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit

To apply for a SOWP, follow these steps:

1. Visit the IRCC Eligibility Questionnaire:
   • Complete the questionnaire to receive a personalized document checklist.
   • Depending on your situation (e.g., whether the spouse is applying from inside or outside Canada), the answers may vary.
2. Collect Necessary Documents:
   • Proof of relationship to the principal applicant.
   • Evidence of the principal applicant’s employment in an eligible TEER-level occupation.
   • Proof that the principal applicant’s work permit is valid for at least 16 months.
3. Submit the Application Online:
   • Log in to your IRCC secure account.
   • Upload all required documents and pay the applicable fees.
4. Await Decision:
   • Processing times may vary depending on the applicant’s location and other factors.

How to Find Your NOC Code?

The job title provided by your employer might not match the NOC classification.

Instead, match your job duties and responsibilities with those listed under the NOC to determine your eligibility.

For most immigration purposes, you must fulfill all duties outlined in the lead statement and at least 51% of the main duties.

Click here for the full guide to finding your NOC code.