Spouse Open Work Permit(SOWP) in Canada : Guide for Families of Foreign Workers

What is a Spouse Open Work Permit (SOWP)?

A Spouse Open Work Permit (SOWP) allows the spouse or common-law partner of a temporary foreign worker in Canada to work for any employer without the need for a specific job offer. This permit helps families stay together while contributing to the Canadian workforce.

To be eligible, the principal foreign worker (the spouse currently working in Canada) must be employed in a high-skilled occupation classified under Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).

Who is Eligible for an SOWP?

To apply for a Spouse Open Work Permit, the principal foreign worker must be:

• ✔️ Working in Canada on a valid work permit
• ✔️ Employed in one of the eligible TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 jobs (list provided below)
• ✔️ Working in a job classified as high-skilled

If the principal worker meets these conditions, their spouse can apply for an open work permit, allowing them to work anywhere in Canada for any employer.

List of Eligible TEER Jobs for SOWP

TEER 0 (Management Occupations)

These are senior-level positions that involve strategic decision-making and high levels of responsibility.

• 🔹 Financial Managers
• 🔹 Human Resources Managers
• 🔹 Computer and Information Systems Managers
• 🔹 Managers in Health Care
• 🔹 Restaurant and Food Service Managers
• 🔹 Construction Managers
• 🔹 Manufacturing Managers
• 🔹 Government Policy Managers
• 🔹 And many more...

TEER 1 (Professional Occupations)

TEER 1 occupations usually require a university degree and include highly specialized roles.

• 🔹 Financial Auditors and Accountants
• 🔹 Software Engineers and Developers
• 🔹 Cybersecurity Specialists
• 🔹 Architects
• 🔹 Biologists and Scientists
• 🔹 General Practitioners and Family Physicians
• 🔹 University Professors and Lecturers
• 🔹 Social Workers
• 🔹 Lawyers and Judges
• 🔹 Pharmacists
• 🔹 Registered Nurses
• 🔹 And many more...

TEER 2 (Technicians and Skilled Technologists)

TEER 2 roles typically require a college diploma or apprenticeship training.

• 🔹 Computer Network and Web Technicians
• 🔹 Civil Engineering Technologists
• 🔹 Aircraft Inspectors
• 🔹 Opticians
• 🔹 Licensed Practical Nurses
• 🔹 Early Childhood Educators
• 🔹 Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technicians
• 🔹 And many more...

TEER 3 (Skilled Trades and Technical Jobs)

TEER 3 occupations generally require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of less than two years.

• 🔹 Dental Assistants
• 🔹 Nurse Aides and Patient Service Associates
• 🔹 Truck Drivers
• 🔹 Bus Drivers and Transit Operators
• 🔹 Heavy Equipment Operators
• 🔹 Painters and Decorators
• 🔹 Construction Workers
• 🔹 Railway Conductors
• 🔹 Fishermen and Women
• 🔹 And many more...

For a full list of eligible TEER occupations, visit Canada's official website.

Conclusion

The Spouse Open Work Permit is an excellent way for spouses of temporary workers to gain employment in Canada while staying together as a family. If your spouse works in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation, you may be eligible to apply for this permit and enjoy the flexibility of working in Canada.

✅ Stay informed, stay prepared, and make the most of your opportunities in Canada! 🚀