The Government of Canada is making significant changes to spousal open work permit (SOWP) eligibility for family members of international students and foreign workers. Effective January 21, 2025, these changes will greatly restrict which spouses are eligible to obtain a SOWP. Updated Spousal Open Work Permit Eligibility Criteria Under the revised rules, eligibility for family open work permits will be more restrictive. Key updates include: Eligibility for Spouses of International Students: Open work permits will now be limited to spouses of international students enrolled in: Master’s programs that are 16 months or longer Doctoral programs Select professional and eligible programs Eligibility for Spouses of Foreign Workers: Open work permits will be limited to spouses of foreign workers employed in: TEER 0 or 1 occupations Select TEER 2 or 3 occupations in sectors with labor shortages or aligned with government priorities, such as: Natural and applied sciences Construction Health care Natural resources Education Sports and military sectors A detailed list of eligible occupations is found below. Work Permit Duration Requirement: The principal foreign worker must have at least 16 months remaining on their work permit when their spouse applies for an open work permit. Dependent Children: Dependent children of foreign workers will no longer be eligible for family open work permits. Transition Measures for Existing Open Work Permits SOWPs issued under the previous rules will remain valid until their expiration date. SOWP applications submitted until January 21st, 5:00 UTC will be processed under the current rules. Family members already in Canada can apply to renew their work permits if: They meet the same criteria as the current permit. The requested renewal duration aligns with the principal applicant’s study or work permit. Exceptions to the New Rules Certain groups will not be affected by these changes: Spouses of workers covered by free-trade agreements Spouses of workers transitioning to permanent residence Family members who no longer qualify for a family SOWP under the updated rules will have to explore other work permit options available through Canada’s immigration programs. These options are limited and may not result in any viable work permit options. Select TEER 2 Occupations 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 Select TEER 3 Occupations 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 Back to all posts Share this post:
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