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

Leann Sousa • January 31, 2025

The Canadian federal government has released a list of TEER 2 and TEER 3 occupations that remain eligible for spousal open work permits (SOWPs).

On January 14, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that spouses of foreign workers will now only qualify for an SOWP if the principal applicant is employed in:

A TEER 0 occupation
A TEER 1 occupation
Specific TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupations

Additionally, the foreign worker must have at least 16 months remaining on their work permit at the time their spouse applies for an SOWP.

These changes took effect on January 21. However, they do not impact existing valid work permits issued under previous policies, nor do they affect eligible renewals of such permits.

Previously, spouses of foreign workers could obtain an SOWP regardless of the foreign worker’s occupation.

Below is the list of TEER 2 and TEER 3 occupations that continue to qualify for spousal open work permits.

TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) is the classification system used by the Canadian federal government to define skill levels within the National Occupational Classification (NOC). TEER 0 represents the highest-skilled occupations, while TEER 5 includes the lowest-skilled roles.

TEER 2 jobs still eligible for a family OWP

NOC group 22 - Technical Occupations Related to Natural and Applied Sciences

Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors

22313

Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics

22312

Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment)

22311

Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians

22310

Construction estimators

22303

Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians

22302

Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians

22301

Civil engineering technologists and technicians

22300

Construction inspectors

22233

Occupational health and safety specialists

22232

Engineering inspectors and regulatory officers

22231

Non-destructive testers and inspectors

22230

Information systems testing technicians

22222

User support technicians

22221

Computer network and web technicians

22220

Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology

22214

Land survey technologists and technicians

22213

Drafting technologists and technicians

22212

Industrial designers

22211

Architectural technologists and technicians

22210

Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists

22114

Conservation and fishery officers

22113

Forestry technologists and technicians

22112

Agricultural and fish products inspectors

22111

Biological technologists and technicians

22110

Geological and mineral technologists and technicians

22101

Chemical technologists and technicians

22100

NOC group 32 - Technical Occupations in Health

Opticians

32100

Licensed practical nurses

32101

Paramedical occupations

32102

Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists

32103

Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians

32104

Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment

32109

Denturists

32110

Dental hygienists and dental therapists

32111

Dental technologists and technicians

32112

Medical laboratory technologists

32120

Medical radiation technologists

32121

Medical sonographers

32122

Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists

32123

Pharmacy technicians

32124

Other medical technologists and technicians

32129

Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists

32200

Massage therapists

32201

Other practitioners of natural healing

32209

NOC group 42 - Front-Line Public Protection Services and Paraprofessional Occupations in Legal, Social, Community, Education Services

Specialized members of the Canadian Armed Forces

42102

Early childhood educators and assistants

42202

NOC group 72 - Technical Trades and Transportation Officers and Controllers

Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations

72010

Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations

72011

Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades

72012

Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades

72013

Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers

72014

Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades

72020

Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews

72021

Supervisors, printing and related occupations

72022

Supervisors, railway transport operations

72023

Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators

72024

Supervisors, mail and message distribution occupations

72025

Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors

72100

Tool and die makers

72101

Sheet metal workers

72102

Boilermakers

72103

Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters

72104

Ironworkers

72105

Welders and related machine operators

72106

Electricians (except industrial and power system)

72200

Industrial electricians

72201

Power system electricians

72202

Electrical power line and cable workers

72203

Telecommunications line and cable installers and repairers

72204

Telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technicians

72205

Plumbers

72300

Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers

72301

Gas fitters

72302

Carpenters

72310

Cabinetmakers

72311

Bricklayers

72320

Insulators

72321

Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics

72400

Heavy-duty equipment mechanics

72401

Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics

72402

Railway carmen/women

72403

Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors

72404

Machine fitters

72405

Elevator constructors and mechanics

72406

Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers

72410

Auto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians and damage repair estimators

72411

Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics

72420

Appliance servicers and repairers

72421

Electrical mechanics

72422

Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics

72423

Other small engine and small equipment repairers

72429

Crane operators

72500

Water well drillers

72501

Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors

72600

Air traffic controllers and related occupations

72601

Deck officers, water transport

72602

Engineer officers, water transport

72603

Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators

72604

Other technical trades and related occupations

72999

NOC group 82 - Supervisors in Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Related Production

Supervisors, logging and forestry

82010

Supervisors, mining and quarrying

82020

Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services

82021

Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors

82030

Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services

82031

TEER 3 jobs still eligible for a family OWP

NOC group 33 - Assisting Occupations in Support of Health Services

Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants

33100

Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations

33101

Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates

33102

Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants

33103

Other assisting occupations in support of health services

33109

NOC group 43 - Assisting Occupations in Education and in Legal and Public Protection

Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants

43100

Operations Members of the Canadian Armed Forces

43204

NOC group 53 - Occupations in Art, Culture, and Sport

Athletes

53200

Coaches

53201

NOC group 73 - General Trades

Concrete finishers

73100

Tilesetters

73101

Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers

73102

Roofers and shinglers

73110

Glaziers

73111

Painters and decorators (except interior decorators

73112

Floor covering installers

73113

Residential and commercial installers and servicers

73200

General building maintenance workers and building superintendents

73201

Pest controllers and fumigators

73202

Other repairers and servicers

73209

Transport truck drivers

73300

Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators

73301

Railway and yard locomotive engineers

73310

Railway conductors and brakemen/women

73311

Heavy equipment operators

73400

Printing press operators

73401

Drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction

73402

NOC group 83 - Occupations in Natural Resources and Related Production

Underground production and development miners

83100

Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers

83101

Logging machinery operators

83110

Fishing masters and officers

83120

Fishermen/women

83121

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Regions LMIAs cannot be processed.....for now.

By Leann Sousa • January 31, 2025

Individuals applying for Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) under the low-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) can now refer to a list of regions where applications will not be processed. As of August 26, 2024, the federal government has ceased processing LMIAs for the low-wage stream in census metropolitan areas with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher. As of January 10, the government has shared a list of CMAs with unemployment rates over 6%. This table will be updated every three months, with the next update coming on April 4, 2025. As of January 10, the government has identified 15 CMAs with unemployment rates 6% or higher. St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador 6% Saint John, New Brunswick 6.1% Montréal, Quebec 6.2% Oshawa, Ontario 7.5% Toronto, Ontario 7.9% Hamilton, Ontario 6.3% St. Catharines-Niagara, Ontario 6.2% Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo, Ontario 7.3% Guelph, Ontario 6.2% London, Ontario 6.4% Windsor, Ontario 8.8% Barrie, Ontario 6% Regina, Saskatchewan 6.1% Calgary, Alberta 7.5% Edmonton, Alberta 6.8% How do I know if a work location is in a CMA? To determine whether your job falls into one of these CMAs Enter the complete postal code of the work location at Census of Population ; and Under the Geography search results page, look for “Census metropolitan area/ Census agglomeration.” The web page will show which CMA your job is in, and you can see whether that CMA is on the list. What If the Position Is in a CMA with an Unemployment Rate Above 6%? Before submitting an LMIA application, both employers and employees should check the unemployment rate of the census metropolitan area (CMA) where the job is located to determine whether the application will be processed. Options for Employers: If the job is in a CMA with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher, employers can increase the wage to meet the high-wage stream requirements, making the position eligible under that category. Options for Employees: If a job offer falls under the low-wage stream in an affected CMA, employees can ask their employers if they are willing to wait three months to see if the CMA’s unemployment rate changes before applying for an LMIA. Those still searching for a job under the low-wage stream of the TFWP should focus on CMAs where LMIAs are still being processed. For Current Low-Wage TFWP Workers: Workers on a low-wage TFWP permit who cannot extend their permit due to these changes must stop working once their status expires. If they wish to remain in Canada, they can apply for a visitor record to stay as a visitor. Reach us anytime and we're happy to assist. Foothills Immigration.

New Canada Caregiver Programs To Open On March 31, 2025

By Leann Sousa • January 26, 2025

Canada is set to launch the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots on March 31, 2025 , replacing the previous Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilots, which concluded on June 17, 2024. These new programs aim to streamline the immigration process for caregivers, offering a more direct pathway to permanent residency. Expected Application Quota for 2025 While the total annual application intake for the previous pilots was capped at 5,500, the broader pilot category's quota, as outlined in Canada's 2025 Immigration Levels Plan, will see a slight reduction from 10,920 in 2024 to 10,875 in 2025. It is anticipated that the new caregiver pilots will maintain a similar application allotment, estimated between 4,000 and 5,000 for 2025. Enhanced Features and Eligibility Criteria The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots introduce several key enhancements: Permanent Residency Upon Arrival : Caregivers will receive permanent resident status immediately upon their arrival in Canada, eliminating previous uncertainties and delays. Flexible Employment Opportunities : Participants can work with organizations that provide temporary or part-time care to semi-independent individuals or those recovering from illness or injury, broadening employment prospects. Eligibility Requirements : Language Proficiency : A minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 4 is required. Educational Qualifications : Applicants must hold the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma, verified through an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). Relevant Work Experience : Recent and pertinent work experience is essential. Job Offer : A full-time job offer from a Canadian family or within Canada's home care sector is necessary. Significance of the New Pilots With Canada's aging population and an increased emphasis on community-based care, there is a growing demand for professional caregivers. The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots aim to: Provide a reliable immigration pathway for caregivers. Support families and communities by ensuring access to high-quality home care services. Attract skilled workers who can contribute to Canada's economy and social well-being. These initiatives reflect Canada's commitment to addressing labor shortages in the caregiving sector while offering caregivers a clear and efficient route to permanent residency. If you need assistance with this program, don’t hesitate to contact Foothills Immigration. We provide professional immigration advice and guidance to support you every step of the way.

Spousal & Dependant Child Open Work Permit Changes Effective Jan 21, 2025

By Leann Sousa • January 14, 2025

Starting January 21, 2025, eligibility for family open work permits (OWPs) will be restricted to the spouses of specific international students and foreign workers.

Who Can Apply at the Port of Entry?

By Leann Sousa • January 8, 2025

Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and International Mobility Program (IMP): Persons who may apply at a Port of Entry *Information directly republished from IRCC; Canada.ca. Updated Dec 24, 2024. Effective immediately, most foreign nationals inside of Canada are no longer eligible to apply for a work permit at a port of entry. The following work permit applications are exempt from the above restrictions and may still be accepted for processing at a port of entry: Applicants who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States of America Professionals and Technicians under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) Professional under the free trade agreement with the United States of America and Mexico (T36); Professional under the free trade agreement with Chile (F22); Contractual service suppliers or independent professionals under the free trade agreement with South Korea (F32); Professional under the free trade agreement with Panama (F42); Professional or technician under the free trade agreement with Colombia (F12); Professional or technician under the free trade agreement with Peru (F52). Spouses or common-law partners of applicants under FTAs with South Korea (F32), Panama (F42), and Colombia (F12). Truck Drivers- who are required to depart Canada for the purpose of their employment and prior to their departure from Canada held a work permit or maintained status as a result of a pending application for work permit renewal. This does not include truck drivers operating solely within Canada. Applicants with Pre-Scheduled CBSA Appointments Most foreign workers must apply for a work permit from outside of Canada. A foreign national may apply for a work permit at any time before entering Canada as per section 197 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) . As per ministerial instructions (MI) 62 , all applications for a work permit submitted for foreign nationals who are outside Canada at the time of application must be submitted using electronic means—meaning they must apply online . Some workers can apply at the time of their entry to Canada. When seeking to enter Canada, some foreign nationals may make an application for their work permit at the port of entry per subsection R198(1) if they are exempt from the requirement for a temporary resident visa (TRV) under section R190 and their job falls within the International Mobility Program (IMP) (that is, they are not required to obtain a labour market impact assessment [LMIA]) are exempt from the requirement for a TRV under section R190 and their job falls within the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) (that is, they are required to obtain an LMIA), and a positive or neutral LMIA has been issued by the time they arrive are a national or permanent resident of the United States (U.S.), Greenland or Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, regardless of whether their job falls within the TFWP or the IMP are not seeking a work permit in a category not permitted to apply at a port of entry (for example, as a live-in caregiver or as a seasonal agricultural worker) are seeking entry into Canada and meet the requirements of sections R198 and R200 Note: In addition to the above, before they arrive, the foreign national must have passed their immigration medical examination (IME), if required, and provide the valid results. The following persons cannot apply on entry to Canada [R198(2)]: all persons applying for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) all persons who require a TRV all persons who require an IME, whether TRV-required or visa-exempt, unless valid IME results are available at the time of entry international youth exchange program participants other than U.S. citizens or permanent residents (exemption code C21) (consult International Experience Canada ) seasonal agricultural workers foreign nationals from electronic travel authorization (eTA) expansion countries , as they are not TRV-exempt as per section R190 Persons who hold a valid work permit or who wish to change their conditions or renew their work permit should apply in Canada, pursuant to section R199 . Persons whose work permits expire while they are outside of Canada may apply at the port of entry if they are eligible to apply there pursuant to section R198. They must provide the officer at a port of entry with sufficient documentation to satisfy the officer that the client meets the requirements for the category to which they are applying. Note: Although foreign nationals who are exempt from the requirement of a TRV may apply for a work permit at a port of entry, if they are travelling to Canada by air, they will need to apply for and obtain an eTA before entry to board their flight to Canada. At the air port of entry, when their work permit is issued, they will also be automatically issued a new eTA with a new validity date.

Caregiver Pilot Program COMING 2025

By Leann Sousa • January 6, 2025

Details expected soon (January 2025) from IRCC for the new Caregiver Pilot Programs (both childcare and home support workers). We will posted updates here. On June 3, 2024, IRCC Minister Marc Miller announced significant updates to the Caregiver Pilot Programs. These changes aim to streamline pathways for caregivers and address the evolving home care needs of Canada’s population. Key updates include: 1. Permanent Residence on Arrival: Caregivers will now be granted permanent resident (PR) status upon their arrival in Canada. 2. Lower Language Requirement: The minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) has been reduced to 4, down from 5. 3. Simplified Education Requirement: Caregivers must hold the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma, replacing the previous requirement of a one-year post-secondary credential. 4. Expanded Work Settings: In addition to home care, caregivers can now work for organizations offering temporary or part-time care for individuals who are semi-independent or recovering from injuries or illnesses. 5. Pathway Permanency: IRCC is working toward making the caregiver pilot programs a permanent part of its immigration strategy. Eligibility Criteria for Caregivers: CLB level 4 in language proficiency. A Canadian high school diploma or its equivalent. Recent, relevant caregiving work experience. A full-time home care job offer. Anticipated Benefits: These updates provide caregivers with more flexible employment opportunities and immediate PR status, creating a clearer and more secure pathway to settle in Canada. Pending Details: IRCC plans to release additional information on the pilot programs, including comprehensive eligibility criteria and application processes early 2025. While awaiting these details, stakeholders hope for effective solutions to address issues experienced in past caregiver programs. These changes represent a significant step forward in meeting Canada’s home care demands while providing greater support to caregivers entering the workforce. If you need assistance with this program, don’t hesitate to contact Foothills Immigration. We provide professional immigration advice and guidance to support you every step of the way.

LMIA points to vanish Spring 2025

By Leann Sousa • January 4, 2025

Spring 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will implement a significant change to the Express Entry system: candidates will no longer receive additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for having a valid job offer. Candidates who have already received an ITA or have an application in progress by spring 2025 will not be impacted. However, once the policy is implemented, it will apply universally to all candidates with LMIA-backed job offers in the pool. Current System: Presently, Express Entry candidates can earn an extra 50 or 200 CRS points if they have a valid job offer supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). These additional points have often been crucial in securing an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Upcoming Changes: Once the new policy takes effect in spring 2025, candidates with valid job offers will no longer receive these additional CRS points. This adjustment will apply to all candidates in the Express Entry pool, including those currently working in Canada temporarily. However, individuals who have already received an ITA or have submitted their permanent residence applications before the implementation will not be affected. Reasons for the Change: The primary motivation behind this policy shift is to enhance the integrity of the immigration system by reducing fraud and misuse associated with LMIAs. By eliminating the incentive to obtain LMIAs solely for the purpose of gaining extra CRS points, IRCC aims to ensure a fairer and more transparent selection process. Implications for Candidates: Without the advantage of additional points for job offers, candidates will need to focus on other factors to improve their CRS scores, such as: Language Proficiency: Achieving higher scores in English or French language tests can significantly boost CRS points. Education: Obtaining higher educational qualifications or Canadian educational credentials can enhance scores. Work Experience: Accumulating more skilled work experience, particularly within Canada, can contribute to a higher CRS score. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Securing a provincial nomination can add 600 points to a candidate's CRS score, effectively guaranteeing an ITA. Candidates are encouraged to assess their profiles and consider these factors to remain competitive in the Express Entry pool once the changes are implemented. We will announce an exact date when it is officially presented.