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Yet Another Change to Open Work Permit Eligibility for Spouses

Posted on 12/02/2025

In our previous blog on open work permits for family members in May 2024, we outlined the various eligibility requirements that depended on when you applied:

• Before March 19, 2024
• Between March 19 and April 29, 2024
• On or after April 30, 2024

IRCC has now announced that as of January 21, 2025, the eligibility requirements have changed once more. Here’s how the changes work:

I: Spouses of International Students

Who is eligible under these new open work permit rules:

• Only spouses (and not dependent children) of international students that are enrolled in the following programs can now apply for open work permits:
  • Master programs of 16-month length or longer
  • Doctoral programs
  • The following professional programs:
    • 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)
• The following eligible programs in various provinces
  • Francophone Minority Communities student pilots in provinces other than Quebec
  • Project in Quebec to recognize the skills of nurses recruited internationally (French language skills required)
  • Project in Quebec to recognize the skills of respiratory therapists trained abroad (French language skills required)
  • Project in Quebec to recruit and recognize the skills of medical technologists trained abroad (French language skills required)
  • Supervised Practice Experience Partnership in Ontario
  • Nurse Re-entry at Red River College Polytechnic in Manitoba
  • Internationally Educated Midwives Bridging Program at UBC in British Columbia
  • Canadian Pharmacy Practice Program (CP3) at UBC in British Columbia
  • Post-Degree Diploma: Nursing Practice in Canada at Langara College in British Columbia

Required Documents for spouses of international students applying for an open work permit

The spouse applying for an open work permit will need to provide at least one of the following:

• A valid letter of acceptance from the international student’s designated learning institute (DLI), or
• A proof of enrollment letter from the international student’s DLI, or
• A transcript or transcripts from the international student’s DLI

The spouse will also need to provide proof of participation and/or enrollment of the international student in one of the above-listed programs. This could be:

• A letter from the provincial or territorial authorities in the province or territory where the program is taking place stating that the international student is participating and/or enrolled in that program, or
• A letter of acceptance from their DLI stating that the international student has been accepted into the program

The spouse will also have to provide proof of their relationship to the international student as well as other documentation if so requested.

II: Spouses of Select Foreign Workers

Only spouses of foreign workers in certain types of occupations can apply for an open work permit as of January 21, 2025.

• TEER 0 or TEER 1 occupations. Remember that the TEER system stands for training, education, experience, & responsibilities is a way to help the NOC (National Occupational Classification) categorize occupations.
  • TEER 0 occupations are management jobs.
  • TEER 1 occupations that normally require a university degree and can be thought of as professional careers.
  • All of these TEER 0 and TEER 1 occupations are still eligible for family/spousal open work permits.
• Some TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupations depending on local labor shortages and needs in provinces or territories in Canada.
  • TEER 2 occupations require a post-secondary diploma and 2 to 3 years apprenticeship. They can also be supervisory positions based on experience.
  • TEER 3 occupations require a post-secondary diploma and less than 2 years apprenticeship. They can also be jobs requiring more than 6 months training.
• These TEER 2 and TEER 3 occupations for which spouses are eligible for open work permits will be in the following sectors:
  • Natural and Applied Sciences
  • Construction
  • Healthcare
  • Natural Resources
  • Education
  • Sports
  • Military
• Please scroll down below the following section to see a detailed list from IRCC of these eligible occupations for a family/spousal open work permit.

Required Documents for spouses of foreign workers applying for open work permits

• Proof of your relationship to the principal applicant (the foreign worker)
  • Copy of marriage certificate, or
  • Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM 5409)
• Proof that the principal applicant is or will be legally authorized to work in Canada
  • Copy of work permit or letter of introduction
  • Copy of visitor record with the expiry date visible
• Proof that the principal applicant will be legally authorized to work for at least 6 months from the date of your application for an open work permit
  • Copy of work permit with expiry date
  • Copy of letter of introduction (port of entry letter)
  • Copy of visitor record with expiry date visible
  • Passport stamps showing period of authorized work
• Proof that the principal is or will be working in a TEER 0 or TEER 1 occupation or any of the approved TEER 2 and TEER 3 occupations (see lists below)
  • A letter from principal applicant’s current employer showing
    • Employment details
    • Their occupation
    • A description of their duties
    • The NOC or TEER category their job is classified under
  • Please note that IRCC may require additional documentation depending on your specific situation.

Applying for your Open Work Permit

Here’s a reminder of how the process works:

The first thing you should do is read the guide for applying for a work permit from inside Canada – Guide 5553. This is an online application, although you can also – if your situation requires it – still apply on paper. For a paper version of Guide 5553, go here.

Here’s an overview of the basic steps outlined in the guide:

Step 1 – Make sure you have a scanner or digital camera to scan or take photos of your documents as you will be applying online. You’ll also need a valid credit or debit card.

1. 1. The following credit and pre-paid cards are accepted:
      • Visa
      • MasterCard
      • American Express
      • JCB
      • Union Pay
   2. The following debit cards (linked to a Canadian bank) are accepted:
      1. • Debit Master Card
         • Visa Debit Card

Step 2 – Go through the guide (5553 online) to see how to fill in each field (box) in the online application form.

Step 3 – Before you upload any documents you’ll need to answer a series of questions about your personal situation (like nationality, age, language ability, etc.)

1.If applying from inside Canada you must answer the following questions as indicated:

When asked: Does one of the following apply to you?

I am applying for an open work permit under an active public policy or pilot program announced by IRCC.

Answer No

When asked: Are you a spouse, common-law partner or dependent child of a person who holds a valid work permit or is applying for a work permit?

Answer Yes

When asked: Are you a spouse or common-law partner of a person who holds a study permit?

Answer Yes

 2. If applying from outside Canada you must answer the following questions as indicated:

When asked: Will you be coming to Canada under an active public policy or special measure announced by IRCC?

Answer No

When asked: Are you a spouse, common-law partner or dependent child of a person who has or is applying for a work permit?

Answer Yes

When asked: Are you a spouse or common-law partner of a person who holds a study permit?

Answer Yes

When asked: What type of work permit do you want to apply for?

Answer “A work permit for a spouse of an international student, or for a family member of a worker”

3. You will then be given a personalized document checklist.

 

Step 4 – You will be asked to pay your fees (generally the processing fee for a work permit application) at the end of your submitted application. Use your credit or debit card to pay the fees when prompted and always keep a copy of your receipt to include with your submitted application. IRCC also advises you to maintain (do not cancel in other words) the credit cards you used to pay for at least 18 months after you have submitted your application in case there are issues with fee payment.

Step 5 – To apply online you must open an account with IRCC on their online portal. Go here to create your IRCC Secure account. When you’re ready to start your online application, sign in to your IRCC Secure account and begin the process.

 

Finally, here’s a detailed list from IRCC of the TEER 2 and TEER 3 occupations where the spouse is still eligible for an open work permit. Please remember that all TEER 0 and TEER 1 occupations are eligible for a family/spousal open work permit.

Select TEER 2 occupations eligible for a family/spousal open work permit:

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 eligible for a family/spousal open work permit:

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

 

 

Posted in News Tips and tagged Spousal open work permit