Canada: Jobs in TEER 2 and 3 That Allow Your Spouse to Get a Family Open Work Permit

The list of TEER 2 and TEER 3 occupations that qualify for spousal open work permits has been updated by Canada.

The list of TEER 2 and TEER 3 job categories that are still eligible for spousal open work permits (SOWPs) has been updated by the Canadian government.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) declared on January 14 that SOWPs will only be available to spouses of foreign workers in particular occupational levels. Among these qualified employment categories are:

1. TEER 0 Occupations
2. Occupations in TEER 1
3. Some Occupations in TEER 2 and TEER 3

When their spouse files for a SOWP, the foreign worker must still have at least 16 months left on their work permit in order to qualify.

On January 21, these new regulations went into force. Nevertheless, they have no effect on currently valid work permits that were granted prior to the modifications or the renewal of such permits, provided that they are still eligible.

Previously, regardless of the foreign worker’s occupation, spouses of foreign workers may apply for a spousal open work permit.

The most recent list of TEER 2 and TEER 3 job types that are still eligible for SOWPs is provided below.

Knowing the TEER Levels

Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities are referred to as TEER. The Canadian government uses this system to categorize employment skill levels under the National Occupational Classification (NOC). The lowest-skilled occupations are covered by TEER 5, whereas the highest-skilled ones are represented by TEER 0.

TEER 2 Jobs Still Eligible for a Family Spousal Open Work Permit

The Canadian government has confirmed that certain TEER 2 vocations remain eligible for spousal open work permits (SOWPs). These positions fall under NOC Group 22 – Technical Occupations in Natural and Applied Sciences.

The following is a list of eligible jobs, along with their National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes:

1. Eligible NOC Group 22 – Technical Occupations in 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

This list outlines the TEER 2 roles that still allow spouses of foreign workers to apply for an open work permit. These occupations require specialized training, education, and experience in various technical and scientific fields.

2. 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

This list includes skilled healthcare professionals who are still eligible to apply for a spousal open work permit under TEER 2. These roles require specialized training, education, and hands-on experience in different medical and therapeutic fields.

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

Below is the list of eligible occupations along with their National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes:

Occupation Title	NOC Code
Specialized members of the Canadian Armed Forces	42102
Early childhood educators and assistants	42202

4. NOC Group 72 – Technical Trades and Transportation Officers and Controllers

Occupation Title	NOC Code
Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping, and erecting trades	72010
Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations	72011
Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades	72012
Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades	72013
Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers, and servicers	72014
Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades	72020
Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews	72021
Supervisors, printing and related occupations	72022
Supervisors, railway transport operations	72023
Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators	72024
Supervisors, mail and message distribution occupations	72025
Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors	72100
Tool and die makers	72101
Sheet metal workers	72102
Boilermakers	72103
Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters	72104
Ironworkers	72105
Welders and related machine operators	72106
Electricians (except industrial and power system)	72200
Industrial electricians	72201
Power system electricians	72202
Electrical power line and cable workers	72203
Telecommunications line and cable installers and repairers	72204
Telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technicians	72205
Plumbers	72300
Steamfitters, pipefitters, and sprinkler system installers	72301
Gas fitters	72302
Carpenters	72310
Cabinetmakers	72311
Bricklayers	72320
Insulators	72321
Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics	72400
Heavy-duty equipment mechanics	72401
Heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning mechanics	72402
Railway carmen/women	72403
Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors	72404
Machine fitters	72405
Elevator constructors and mechanics	72406
Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics, and mechanical repairers	72410
Auto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians, and damage repair estimators	72411
Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics	72420
Appliance servicers and repairers	72421
Electrical mechanics	72422
Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle, and other related mechanics	72423
Other small engine and small equipment repairers	72429
Crane operators	72500
Water well drillers	72501
Air pilots, flight engineers, and flying instructors	72600
Air traffic controllers and related occupations	72601
Deck officers, water transport	72602
Engineer officers, water transport	72603
Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators	72604
Other technical trades and related occupations	72999

5. NOC Group 82 – Supervisors in Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Related Production

Eligible TEER 2 Occupations

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 in Health Services Support Eligible for a Spousal Open Work Permit

1. 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

2.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

3. NOC group 53 – Occupations in Art, Culture, and Sport

Occupation Title	NOC Code
Athletes	53200
Coaches	53201

4. NOC Group 73 – General Trades

Occupation Title	NOC Code
Concrete finishers	73100
Tilesetters	73101
Plasterers, drywall installers, finishers, and lathers	73102
Roofers and shinglers	73110
Glaziers	73111
Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)	73112
Floor covering installers	73113
Residential and commercial installers and servicers	73200
General building maintenance workers and building superintendents	73201
Pest controllers and fumigators	73202
Other repairers and servicers	73209
Transport truck drivers	73300
Bus drivers, subway operators, and other transit operators	73301
Railway and yard locomotive engineers	73310
Railway conductors and brakemen/women	73311
Heavy equipment operators	73400
Printing press operators	73401
Drillers and blasters – surface mining, quarrying, and construction	73402

5. NOC Group 83 – Occupations in Natural Resources and Related Production

Occupation Title	NOC Code
Underground production and development miners	83100
Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers, and related workers	83101
Logging machinery operators	83110
Fishing masters and officers	83120
Fishermen/women	83121

How to Find Your Occupation’s NOC Code?

When identifying your NOC code, it’s important to note that the job title listed in your NOC might not exactly match the title given by your employer. What truly matters is the duties and responsibilities associated with the role you performed, not the title itself.

To find your NOC code, follow these steps:

1. Compare Your Role: Review the lead statement and main duties listed in the NOC description. The lead statement should describe your primary responsibilities. Ensure that the majority of these responsibilities align with what you did in your role.
2. 51% Rule: For most immigration purposes, you need to have performed at least 51% of the listed duties in the NOC description.
3. Check TEER Levels: It’s also essential to be aware of the TEER level associated with your NOC code. This will affect your eligibility for work permits and other immigration processes.

For more details on the TEER levels and Canada’s NOC system, visit the official immigration webpage.

How to Apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP)?

If you are eligible, follow these steps to apply for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) as the spouse or partner of a foreign worker:

1. Complete the Eligibility Questionnaire:

• Visit the IRCC’s eligibility questionnaire page and answer all the questions. Your answers will depend on whether you are applying with the principal applicant or after the principal applicant receives their work permit.
• You will also need to answer whether you are applying from within Canada or outside Canada.
• Upon completing the questionnaire, you’ll receive a personal reference code and a document checklist specific to your situation.

2. Gather Required Documents:

• Proof of relationship to the principal applicant.
• Proof that you can legally work in Canada (if applicable).
• Proof that the principal applicant has at least 16 months remaining on their work permit after you submit the SOWP application.
• Proof that the principal applicant is or will be working in an eligible TEER level 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.

3. Create an IRCC Secure Account:

• Register or log in to the IRCC secure account to submit your application.
• From your account, select “Visitor visa, study and/or work permit”.
• You’ll be asked to enter your personal reference code to generate your application homepage.

4. Submit Your Application:

• Upload all the documents listed in your checklist.
• Review your application to ensure all information is correct.
• Pay the required fees through electronic payment using a valid credit card.

5. Confirmation:

• After submitting your payment, you should be redirected to a confirmation page indicating that your application has been submitted successfully.

By following these steps and ensuring all requirements are met, you can apply for the Spousal Open Work Permit to join your partner in Canada.

Background on Today’s Change to Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWP)

Today’s changes to the Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) eligibility are part of a broader set of initiatives by the Canadian government aimed at reducing the population of temporary residents, including study and work permit holders in Canada.

These changes, which affect spouses of foreign workers and students, were initially announced in September 2024. At that time, Immigration Minister Marc Miller outlined several important adjustments:

1. Limitations for Spouses of Foreign Workers:

The government decided to limit the availability of SOWPs to spouses of foreign workers in highly skilled and in-demand occupations. While the minister provided a general overview of these occupations, specific details about which occupations qualify were not disclosed during the initial announcement.

2. Limitations for Spouses of International Students:

The government also introduced changes for spouses of international students, restricting SOWPs to students enrolled in:

1. Doctoral programs
2. Master’s programs of at least 16 months in duration

Specific professional degree programs, such as:

1. Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS, DMD)
2. Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor (LLB, JD, BCL)
3. Doctor of Medicine (MD)
4. Doctor of Optometry (OD)
5. Pharmacy (PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm)
6. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
7. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN, BSN, BNSc)
8. Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.)
9. Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng., BE, BASc)

Minister Miller stated that these changes were expected to reduce the issuance of SOWPs by 150,000 over the next three years.

3. Impact on Immigration Levels:

In addition to these eligibility changes, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has set targets for the admission of net new work permit holders under the International Mobility Program (IMP), which includes SOWPs. The planned total admissions for new IMP work permit holders for the years 2025 to 2027 are as follows:

Year	New IMP Work Permit Holder Admissions
2025	285,750
2026	128,700
2027	155,700

Indeed, many of the TEER 2 and TEER 3 occupations that remain eligible for Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWPs) align with Canada’s Federal Economic Priorities, particularly in areas like healthcare and trades. These sectors are essential to Canada’s labor market and are critical for supporting the country’s long-term economic growth, especially as the government focuses on reducing temporary resident numbers while addressing skill shortages in key sectors.

These initiatives reflect Canada’s efforts to manage the number of temporary residents in the country, ensuring that work permits, including SOWPs, are granted to individuals in high-demand sectors while aligning with Canada’s long-term immigration strategy.