Here are the TEER 2 and TEER 3 occupations that still qualify for a spousal open work permit.

Understanding Canada’s TEER System (NOC 2021)

If you’re working in Canada and hoping your husband, wife, or common-law partner can join you and work too, the   Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) is often the best pathway. But in 2025, the rules changed — and not everyone qualifies anymore.

One of the biggest updates? Eligibility now depends heavily on your TEER category under Canada’s NOC 2021 system, especially for TEER 2 and TEER 3 jobs.

In this guide, we’ll break down:

• What TEER really means
• Which TEER 2 jobs eligible for SOWP still qualify
• Which TEER 3 occupations spousal work permit rules apply to
• Who no longer qualifies
• And how to check your own eligibility

What Is the TEER System?

Canada uses the National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021) to categorize jobs. Instead of just “skilled” and “unskilled,” Canada now uses TEER levels — which stands for:

 Training
Education
Experience
Responsibilities

Every job in Canada is assigned a TEER category from 0 to 5.

Immigration programs — including the Spousal Open Work Permit — use this system to decide eligibility.

📌 TEER 2 and TEER 3 Occupations That Still Qualify

The government did not simply allow all TEER 2/3 jobs; only those in specific sectors that Canada has prioritized. Broadly, eligible roles include occupations in the following categories of the National Occupational Classification   (NOC) system:

📍 NOC Group 22 – Technical Occupations Related to Natural and Applied Sciences

These are highly important TEER 2 jobs eligible for SOWP, especially in engineering, IT, construction, and environmental sciences.

Examples include:

• 22313 – Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors
• 22312 – Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
• 22311 – Electronic service technicians
• 22310 – Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
• 22303 – Construction estimators
• 22302 – Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists
• 22301 – Mechanical engineering technologists
• 22300 – Civil engineering technologists
• 22233 – Construction inspectors
• 22232 – Occupational health and safety specialists
• 22231 – Engineering inspectors and regulatory officers
• 22230 – Non-destructive testers
• 22222 – Information systems testing technicians
• 22221 – User support technicians
• 22220 – Computer network and web technicians
• 22214 – Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology
• 22213 – Land survey technologists
• 22212 – Drafting technologists
• 22211 – Industrial designers
• 22210 – Architectural technologists
• 22114 – Landscape and horticulture technicians
• 22113 – Conservation and fishery officers
• 22112 – Forestry technologists
• 22111 – Agricultural and fish products inspectors
• 22110 – Biological technologists
• 22101 – Geological and mineral technologists
• 22100 – Chemical technologists

These occupations are heavily tied to Canada’s infrastructure, environmental management, and tech development sectors.

NOC Group 32 – Technical Occupations in Health

Healthcare remains one of Canada’s top-priority sectors.

Eligible TEER 2 health roles include:

• 32100 – Opticians
• 32101 – Licensed practical nurses
• 32102 – Paramedical occupations
• 32103 – Respiratory therapists
• 32104 – Animal health technologists
• 32109 – Other technical therapy occupations
• 32110 – Denturists
• 32111 – Dental hygienists and dental therapists
• 32112 – Dental technologists
• 32120 – Medical laboratory technologists
• 32121 – Medical radiation technologists
• 32122 – Medical sonographers
• 32123 – Cardiology technologists
• 32124 – Pharmacy technicians
• 32129 – Other medical technologists
• 32200 – Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners
• 32201 – Massage therapists
• 32209 – Other natural healing practitioners

Healthcare-based TEER 2 jobs eligible for SOWP are among the strongest categories for approval.

NOC Group 42 – Front-Line Public Protection & Education

• 42102 – Specialized members of the Canadian Armed Forces
• 42202 – Early childhood educators and assistants

NOC Group 72 – Technical Trades & Transportation Officers

This group covers many skilled trades and supervisory roles that remain eligible.

Examples include:

• 72010–72025 – Trade and transportation supervisors
• 72100–72106 – Machinists, welders, ironworkers, boilermakers
• 72200–72205 – Electricians and telecom installers
• 72300–72321 – Plumbers, carpenters, bricklayers
• 72400–72429 – Mechanics (heavy-duty, aircraft, automotive, HVAC)
• 72500–72501 – Crane operators, water well drillers
• 72600–72604 – Air pilots, air traffic controllers, marine officers
• 72999 – Other technical trades

Trades remain one of the strongest TEER 2 categories under the Spousal Open Work Permit framework.

NOC Group 82 – Supervisors in Natural Resources & Agriculture

• 82010 – Supervisors, logging and forestry
• 82020 – Supervisors, mining and quarrying
• 82021 – Oil and gas drilling supervisors
• 82030 – Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors
• 82031 – Landscaping and horticulture supervisors

📌 TEER 3 Occupations That Qualify

TEER 3 eligibility is more selective but still significant. Below are the TEER 3 occupations spousal work permit categories that remain eligible.

NOC Group 33 – Assisting Occupations in Health Services

• 33100 – Dental assistants
• 33101 – Medical laboratory assistants
• 33102 – Nurse aides and patient service associates
• 33103 – Pharmacy technical assistants
• 33109 – Other assisting health occupations

Healthcare support roles continue to be prioritized.

NOC Group 43 – Education & Public Protection Support

• 43100 – Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants
• 43204 – Operations Members of the Canadian Armed Forces

NOC Group 53 – Art, Culture & Sport

• 53200 – Athletes
• 53201 – Coaches

NOC Group 73 – General Trades

This is one of the most important TEER 3 categories.

Examples include:

• 73100 – Concrete finishers
• 73101 – Tilesetters
• 73102 – Plasterers and drywall installers
• 73110 – Roofers
• 73111 – Glaziers
• 73112 – Painters and decorators
• 73113 – Floor covering installers
• 73200 – Installers and servicers
• 73201 – Building maintenance workers
• 73202 – Pest controllers
• 73209 – Other repairers
• 73300 – Transport truck drivers
• 73301 – Bus and transit operators
• 73310 – Railway locomotive engineers
• 73311 – Railway conductors
• 73400 – Heavy equipment operators
• 73401 – Printing press operators
• 73402 – Drillers and blasters

These are some of the most searched TEER 3 occupations spousal work permit categories online.

NOC Group 83 – Natural Resources & Related Production

• 83100 – Underground miners
• 83101 – Oil and gas well drillers
• 83110 – Logging machinery operators
• 83120 – Fishing masters
• 83121 – Fishermen/women

Who No Longer Qualifies?

Under the 2025 changes, generally:

• TEER 4 occupations are no longer eligible
• TEER 5 occupations are not eligible
• TEER 2 or 3 jobs outside priority sectors may not qualify
• Workers with short-term permits may not qualify

This has affected many service-sector roles, including retail and hospitality.

How to Check If Your Occupation Qualifies

Here’s a simple process:

Step 1: Find Your NOC Code

Search your job title on Canada’s official NOC website.

Step 2: Confirm Your TEER Level

Check whether your job is TEER 2 or TEER 3.

Step 3: Review Sector Eligibility

Is your occupation in:

• Healthcare?
• Construction?
• Skilled trades?
• Natural sciences?

Step 4: Match Your Job Duties

Your employment letter must reflect the NOC description.

If there’s a mismatch, your application could be refused.

If you’re unsure whether your occupation qualifies under the TEER 2 or TEER 3 criteria, working with Foothills Immigration can simplify the process. Their team reviews job duties, employer details, and work permit validity to confirm Spousal Open Work Permit eligibility before applying.