Spousal Open Work Permit for PGWP Holder Spouses: What Actually Qualifies You
If your spouse holds a Post-Graduation Work Permit, having the PGWP itself does not automatically qualify you for a Spousal Open Work Permit. Eligibility depends on the actual job your spouse is doing under that PGWP, and that job’s TEER classification. This page explains exactly how PGWP holder eligibility is assessed.
Last Updated: September 2026 · RCIC #R412319
A PGWP is not a TEER category
Many spouses assume that because their partner holds a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit, they automatically qualify for a Spousal Open Work Permit. That was true before January 2025. It is not true now. IRCC assesses PGWP holder spouses the same way it assesses any other foreign worker spouse: by the TEER classification of the job the PGWP holder is actually working, or has a valid offer to work, not by the fact that they hold a PGWP at all.
If your spouse’s own PGWP application has not yet received a decision, you cannot rely on it to qualify. IRCC will not approve your open work permit while your spouse’s PGWP is still in process.
How PGWP holder eligibility is actually assessed
A PGWP grants your spouse open work authorization, but IRCC needs to see what they are doing with it. If your spouse is employed, or has a valid job offer, in a TEER 0 or TEER 1 occupation, you qualify regardless of any occupation list. If the job falls in TEER 2 or TEER 3, you qualify only if that specific NOC code is on IRCC’s current qualifying occupation list. If your spouse’s PGWP job is TEER 4 or TEER 5, or if they have not yet started working under the PGWP, you do not currently qualify under this pathway.
Two paths to eligibility for PGWP holder spouses
PGWP Holder in TEER 0 or TEER 1 Work
PGWP Holder in Select TEER 2 or TEER 3 Work
We confirm your spouse’s current PGWP job and NOC code against IRCC’s qualifying list before advising on eligibility, since a job title alone does not guarantee TEER classification.
What we need to see
We review your spouse’s PGWP, their actual employment (pay stubs, offer letter, or employer confirmation), and match the job duties to the correct NOC code and TEER level. If your spouse’s PGWP application itself is still pending a decision, we explain what that means for your timing, since a pending PGWP cannot establish eligibility for your open work permit.
We separate "has a PGWP" from "qualifies for SOWP"
Amir Ismail & Associates reviews the actual job your spouse is performing under their PGWP, not just the fact that the PGWP exists, before advising you to apply. This is one of the most common points of confusion we see, and one of the most common reasons applications get refused when handled without a licensed review.
PGWP Holder Spouse Questions
Does holding a PGWP automatically qualify my spouse for me to get a Spousal Open Work Permit?
No. Eligibility depends on the TEER classification of the job your spouse is actually working, or has a valid offer to work, under the PGWP, not on the PGWP itself.
My spouse's PGWP application is still pending. Can I apply now?
No. If your spouse has applied for a PGWP but has not yet received a positive decision at the time IRCC assesses your application, you do not qualify. You need to wait for your spouse’s PGWP to be approved first.
My spouse has a PGWP but hasn't started working yet. Do I qualify?
Generally no. Eligibility is based on the job your spouse is actually doing or has a valid, current offer to do. A PGWP with no active employment does not establish a TEER classification to assess.
What if my spouse changes jobs while holding a PGWP?
Eligibility is reassessed based on the new job’s TEER classification. A change from a TEER 1 job to a TEER 4 job, for example, could affect your ongoing eligibility.
How do I confirm my spouse's PGWP job qualifies before I apply?
Book a Strategy Assessment. We review your spouse’s PGWP job details and NOC code against IRCC’s current qualifying list before you submit anything.
Not Sure If Your Spouse's PGWP Job Qualifies You?
We will confirm the job’s TEER classification against IRCC’s current rules before you apply.