Background on this change
As part of a wider suite of initiatives that the Canadian government has undertaken to reduce the number of temporary residents (study or work permit holders) in Canada.
The changes to SOWP eligibility for spouses of students and foreign workers in effect today were first announced in September of 2024.
At a press conference on September 18 of that year, Immigration Minister Marc Miller said that the government would limit available SOWPs to spouses of foreign workers working in highly skilled and/or in-demand occupations. The minister, at the time, provided only a high-level description of which occupations would enable for SOWP eligibility.
On January 14, 2025, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced new measures aimed at enhancing the integrity and quality of Canada’s temporary resident programs while aligning them with the country’s economic objectives and labour market demands.
In essence, the updates affect eligibility criteria for spousal open work permits. These changes, which took effect on January 21, 2025, are categorized into modifications for spouses / common-law partners of international students and spouses / common-law partners of work permit holders. The goal? To inform you of your spouse or common-law partner’ eligibility to work in Canada.
- Family OWP of International Students:
Starting January 21, 2025, your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for an open work permit if you have a valid study permit and you’re either:
studying in a master’s degree program of 16 months or longer
studying in a doctoral degree program
participating in an eligible program, or
studying in one of the following professional degree programs at a university:
Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS, DMD)
Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor (LLB, JD, BCL)
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Doctor of Optometry (OD)
Pharmacy (PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm)
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN, BSN)
Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc)
Bachelor of Nursing (BN)
Bachelor of Education (BEd)
Bachelor of Engineering (BEng, BE, BASc)
If they’re not eligible for this open work permit, they may be able to get another type of work permit. Contact us to learn more / apply/extend your work permit. - Family OWP of Work Permit Holders:
Family open work permits (OWPs) will now be restricted to spouses of foreign workers employed in:
TEER 0 or 1 occupations, or
Specific TEER 2 or 3 occupations in sectors experiencing labor shortages or aligned with government priorities, such as natural and applied sciences, construction, healthcare, natural resources, education, sports, and the military.
Essentially spouses of Teer 4 or 5 Work Permit Holders will not be eligible anymore.
Additionally, the foreign worker must have at least 16 months remaining on their work permit at the time their spouse applies for an OWP. Dependent children of foreign workers will no longer be eligible for OWPs.
Existing OWPs issued under prior policies will remain valid until their expiry. For instances where students require more time to complete their program, or if family members received a shorter work permit than the principal applicant, in-Canada family members, including spouses and dependent children, may renew their work permits, provided that:
They apply under the same eligibility criteria as the current work permit, and
The renewal duration aligns with the remaining validity of the principal applicant’s study or work permit.
These changes will not affect spouses of workers covered by free-trade agreements or those transitioning to permanent residence. Family members no longer eligible for a family OWP can apply for any other type of work permit they qualify for. Contact us to learn more.
NB: The posts and information on this website are not legal advice.
Best wishes from the LaFav Travels Team.
immigration canada owp changes | temporary residents
TEER 2 jobs still eligible for a family OWP
NOC group 22 – Technical Occupations Related to Natural and Applied Sciences
Occupation title NOC CodeAircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors22313Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics22312Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment)22311Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians22310Construction estimators22303Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians22302Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians22301Civil engineering technologists and technicians22300Construction inspectors22233Occupational health and safety specialists22232Engineering inspectors and regulatory officers22231Non-destructive testers and inspectors22230Information systems testing technicians22222User support technicians22221Computer network and web technicians22220Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology22214Land survey technologists and technicians22213Drafting technologists and technicians22212Industrial designers22211Architectural technologists and technicians22210Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists22114Conservation and fishery officers22113Forestry technologists and technicians22112Agricultural and fish products inspectors22111Biological technologists and technicians22110Geological and mineral technologists and technicians22101Chemical technologists and technicians22100
NOC group 32 – Technical Occupations in Health
Occupation Title NOC CodeOpticians32100Licensed practical nurses32101Paramedical occupations32102Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists32103Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians32104Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment32109Denturists32110Dental hygienists and dental therapists32111Dental technologists and technicians32112Medical laboratory technologists32120Medical radiation technologists32121Medical sonographers32122Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists32123Pharmacy technicians32124Other medical technologists and technicians32129Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists32200Massage therapists32201Other practitioners of natural healing32209
NOC group 42 – Front-Line Public Protection Services and Paraprofessional Occupations in Legal, Social, Community, Education Services
Occupation TitleNOC CodeSpecialized members of the Canadian Armed Forces42102Early childhood educators and assistants42202
NOC group 72 – Technical Trades and Transportation Officers and Controllers
Occupation Title NOC CodeContractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations72010Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations72011Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades72012Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades72013Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers72014Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades72020Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews72021Supervisors, printing and related occupations72022Supervisors, railway transport operations72023Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators72024Supervisors, mail and message distribution occupations72025Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors72100Tool and die makers72101Sheet metal workers72102Boilermakers72103Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters72104Ironworkers72105Welders and related machine operators72106Electricians (except industrial and power system)72200Industrial electricians72201Power system electricians72202Electrical power line and cable workers72203Telecommunications line and cable installers and repairers72204Telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technicians72205Plumbers72300Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers72301Gas fitters72302Carpenters72310Cabinetmakers72311Bricklayers72320Insulators72321Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics72400Heavy-duty equipment mechanics72401Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics72402Railway carmen/women72403Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors72404Machine fitters72405Elevator constructors and mechanics72406Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers72410Auto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians and damage repair estimators72411Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics72420Appliance servicers and repairers72421Electrical mechanics72422Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics72423Other small engine and small equipment repairers72429Crane operators72500Water well drillers72501Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors72600Air traffic controllers and related occupations72601Deck officers, water transport72602Engineer officers, water transport72603Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators72604Other technical trades and related occupations72999
NOC group 82 – Supervisors in Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Related Production
Occupation Title NOC CodeSupervisors, logging and forestry82010Supervisors, mining and quarrying82020Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services82021Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors82030Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services82031
TEER 3 jobs still eligible for a family OWP
NOC group 33 – Assisting Occupations in Support of Health Services
Occupation Title NOC CodeDental assistants and dental laboratory assistants33100Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations33101Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates33102Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants33103Other assisting occupations in support of health services33109
NOC group 43 – Assisting Occupations in Education and in Legal and Public Protection
Occupation Title NOC CodeElementary and secondary school teacher assistants43100Operations Members of the Canadian Armed Forces43204
NOC group 53 – Occupations in Art, Culture, and Sport
Occupation Title NOC CodeAthletes53200Coaches53201
NOC group 73 – General Trades
Occupation Title NOC CodeConcrete finishers73100Tilesetters73101Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers73102Roofers and shinglers73110Glaziers73111Painters and decorators (except interior decorators73112Floor covering installers73113Residential and commercial installers and servicers73200General building maintenance workers and building superintendents73201Pest controllers and fumigators73202Other repairers and servicers73209Transport truck drivers73300Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators73301Railway and yard locomotive engineers73310Railway conductors and brakemen/women73311Heavy equipment operators73400Printing press operators73401Drillers and blasters – surface mining, quarrying and construction73402
NOC group 83 – Occupations in Natural Resources and Related Production
Occupation Title NOC CodeUnderground production and development miners83100Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers83101Logging machinery operators83110Fishing masters and officers83120Fishermen/women83121