IRCC has introduced new rules for the Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP), effective January 21, 2025. These changes affect
spouses and common-law partners of international students and foreign workers in Canada.
Summary in a Nutshell:
- The principal spouse must have a work permit valid for at least 16 months.
- Spouses of international students qualify if the student is enrolled in an eligible program.
- Spouses of foreign workers must work in high-skilled TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupations.
- A complete list of eligible occupations is provided for both TEER 2 and TEER 3 categories below.
- New IRCC policy changes mean proactive planning is more crucial than ever.
Eligibility for Spouses of International Students
Spouses or common-law partners of international students may be eligible for an open work permit if the student:
- Holds a valid study permit.
- Is enrolled in an eligible program, such as:
- Master’s degree (16+ months)
- Doctoral (PhD) program
- Professional degrees (e.g., MD, DDS, JD)
- Certain nursing, education, and engineering programs
Eligibility for Spouses of Foreign Workers
For spouses or common-law partners of foreign workers, the principal spouse must now have a work permit valid for at least 16 months in addition to being employed in an eligible occupation. Only those working in high-skilled TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupations will qualify.
TEER 2 Occupations (High-Skilled Positions)
| NOC Code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 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 Occupations (Mid-Skilled Positions)
| NOC Code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Why You Need to Stay Ahead of Immigration Changes
Canadian immigration policies are evolving rapidly, and these new rules have made the process even more challenging.
With the new 16-month work permit requirement for the principal spouse and stricter occupation eligibility
criteria, being proactive is more important than ever.
While these changes present additional hurdles, staying ahead of the curve can secure your future in Canada.
Don’t let these evolving policies catch you off guard—ensure your application is prepared according to the latest guidelines.
Contact SAAB Immigration for Expert Guidance
At SAAB Immigration, we understand that navigating these changes can be daunting. With recent policy updates making
the pathway to Canadian permanent residence more complex, being ahead of the game is crucial. If you have any questions about your eligibility
or need help with your SOWP application, our team of experts is ready to help.
- Get tailored advice on the new SOWP rules and eligibility.
- Ensure your documentation meets the new 16‑month work permit requirement.
- Receive guidance on job offers and understanding TEER occupation codes.
Need assistance? Contact SAAB Immigration today or call us at + (877) 683-7222 (SAAB) to book your consultation.
