Spousal Open Work Permit for Foreign Worker Spouses: Does Your Spouse Qualify?
If your spouse holds a Canadian work permit, you qualify for a Spousal Open Work Permit only if their job falls in TEER 0 or TEER 1, or in a TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupation currently on IRCC’s qualifying list. This page explains the TEER framework and how to check where your spouse’s specific job stands.
Last Updated: September 2026 · RCIC #R412319
"Foreign worker" is not one category anymore
Since January 2025, IRCC no longer treats every foreign worker’s spouse the same way. Eligibility now depends entirely on the principal worker’s occupation classification under the TEER system, and, for TEER 2 and TEER 3 roles, whether that specific occupation is on IRCC’s current shortage-driven qualifying list.
Two spouses of workers with similar-sounding job titles can have different outcomes if one job is classified TEER 1 and the other TEER 2 and off the qualifying list. Getting this classification right before you apply matters.
Understanding TEER
TEER stands for Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities. It is the classification system used in Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) to sort every occupation into one of five tiers, from TEER 0 (management) through TEER 5 (occupations with no formal education requirement).
IRCC uses your spouse’s TEER level, tied to the specific NOC code on their Labour Market Impact Assessment or job offer, to determine SOWP eligibility. The TEER level is not a judgment of the job’s value; it is a classification tied to typical training and credential requirements.
Two paths to eligibility to Spousal Open Work Permit for Foreign Worker Spouses
TEER 0 and TEER 1
Select TEER 2 and TEER 3
[VERIFY] IRCC updates the TEER 2/3 qualifying occupation list periodically. We confirm your spouse’s exact NOC code against the current list before advising on eligibility rather than relying on a static list.
Find your spouse's NOC code first
The NOC code is printed on your spouse’s Labour Market Impact Assessment, or can be identified from the job title and duties listed in their offer of employment. Once you have the exact code, it can be checked against IRCC’s current qualifying occupation list for spousal open work permits.
Because occupations are added to and removed from the TEER 2/3 list, a code that did not qualify a year ago may qualify now, and the reverse is also possible.
We confirm the NOC code before you apply, not after a refusal
Amir Ismail & Associates reviews your spouse’s specific job offer or LMIA against IRCC’s current TEER 2/3 qualifying list before we recommend applying. This reduces the risk of a refusal based on an occupation classification that has since changed.
Foreign Worker Spouse Questions
What is the difference between TEER and the old NOC skill type system?
TEER replaced the older NOC skill type system (0, A, B, C, D) in 2022. TEER splits the old broad “B” category into TEER 2 and TEER 3 based on whether the occupation typically requires a college diploma or apprenticeship (TEER 2) or a shorter apprenticeship and more on-the-job training (TEER 3).
My spouse is a registered nurse. Do we qualify?
Registered nurses are typically classified TEER 1, which qualifies for a Spousal Open Work Permit regardless of any shortage list, since TEER 0 and TEER 1 occupations are always eligible.
My spouse works in a skilled trade. Do we qualify?
It depends on the specific NOC code and whether that trade currently appears on IRCC’s TEER 2/3 qualifying occupation list. Many skilled trades are classified TEER 2 or TEER 3, so eligibility is not automatic and needs to be checked against the current list.
Where do I find my spouse's official NOC code?
It is listed on the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) supporting the job offer, or can be determined from the job duties using Canada’s NOC search tool on the Statistics Canada or ESDC website.
Can the qualifying occupation list change while our application is in process?
IRCC assesses eligibility based on the rules in effect at the time of application. We recommend applying as soon as your spouse’s occupation is confirmed eligible rather than waiting.
Let's confirm your spouse's occupation qualifies
We will check the exact NOC code against IRCC’s current list before you submit anything.