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Spousal Open Work Permit at Port of Entry

saifali_a95

Full Member
Jan 8, 2021
32
14
Hi,

I have applied for INLAND spousal sponsorship (PR) for my wife. We have received the AOR letter. Now she is eligible to apply for an open work permit. My question is can she apply for the open work permit at US-Canada border?

The reason is that Online processing time of a work permit inside Canada is taking 4-5 months. I was thinking to get it at the port of entry, it will be much faster I guess.
 

Ponga

VIP Member
Oct 22, 2013
10,427
1,475
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
Hi,

I have applied for INLAND spousal sponsorship (PR) for my wife. We have received the AOR letter. Now she is eligible to apply for an open work permit. My question is can she apply for the open work permit at US-Canada border?

The reason is that Online processing time of a work permit inside Canada is taking 4-5 months. I was thinking to get it at the port of entry, it will be much faster I guess.
Can't say that I've ever heard of this, but suggest you call CBSA. Would be great if the answer is yes!
 
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canuck78

VIP Member
Jun 18, 2017
55,684
13,553
Hi,

I have applied for INLAND spousal sponsorship (PR) for my wife. We have received the AOR letter. Now she is eligible to apply for an open work permit. My question is can she apply for the open work permit at US-Canada border?

The reason is that Online processing time of a work permit inside Canada is taking 4-5 months. I was thinking to get it at the port of entry, it will be much faster I guess.
Is your spouse from a visa exempt country? Are they currently on any other permits like study or work permits? Think that WPs for spouses are being processed faster than 4-5 months. Posted processing times are estimates and often inaccurate. Many are receiving PRs within 6-8 months if applying within Canada. If not from a visa exempt country and on a TRV then they have to apply online.
 

saifali_a95

Full Member
Jan 8, 2021
32
14
Is your spouse from a visa exempt country? Are they currently on any other permits like study or work permits? Think that WPs for spouses are being processed faster than 4-5 months. Posted processing times are estimates and often inaccurate. Many are receiving PRs within 6-8 months if applying within Canada. If not from a visa exempt country and on a TRV then they have to apply online.
Thanks, Canuck. My wife is NOT from a visa-exempt country. She is on a TRV visitor visa.
 

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
95,938
22,177
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
Hi,

I have applied for INLAND spousal sponsorship (PR) for my wife. We have received the AOR letter. Now she is eligible to apply for an open work permit. My question is can she apply for the open work permit at US-Canada border?

The reason is that Online processing time of a work permit inside Canada is taking 4-5 months. I was thinking to get it at the port of entry, it will be much faster I guess.
I'm personally not aware of anyone (visa exempt or non visa exempt) who has managed to get an OWP associated with an inland spousal sponsorship application at the POE. You need to apply online.
 
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sean468

Hero Member
Mar 10, 2022
615
440
Calgary
Category........
PNP
Visa Office......
Edmonton
NOC Code......
22220
Job Offer........
Yes
Pre-Assessed..
Yes
App. Filed.......
28-11-2022
Nomination.....
23-11-2022
AOR Received.
28-11-2022
Med's Request
17-05-2023
Med's Done....
17-02-2022
VISA ISSUED...
22-06-2023
LANDED..........
22-06-2023
I'm personally not aware of anyone (visa exempt or non visa exempt) who has managed to get an OWP associated with an inland spousal sponsorship application at the POE. You need to apply online.
I'm sure you need to be AIP before they'll issue the Work Permit. By just applying and having an AOR, you are not entitled to a SOWP at that point in time - You can apply for it, sure, but you still need to be AIP. I know my SOWP wasn't approved until I was AIP.
 
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Ponga

VIP Member
Oct 22, 2013
10,427
1,475
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
I'm sure you need to be AIP before they'll issue the Work Permit. By just applying and having an AOR, you are not entitled to a SOWP at that point in time - You can apply for it, sure, but you still need to be AIP. I know my SOWP wasn't approved until I was AIP.
An Inland spousal sponsorship applicant (with legal status) does not need to wait until AIP, only AOR. That's why the OP is asking.

But again, this may not even be possible at a land PoE.
 

YVR123

VIP Member
Jul 27, 2017
7,449
2,912
I'm sure you need to be AIP before they'll issue the Work Permit. By just applying and having an AOR, you are not entitled to a SOWP at that point in time - You can apply for it, sure, but you still need to be AIP. I know my SOWP wasn't approved until I was AIP.
For inland spousal sponsorship application, you will NOT need to wait till AIP to apply for OWP. ONLY if you are out of status, then you will need to wait till AIP to apply for OWP.

(note, it's generally NOT called SOWP for inland. Currently, only foreworker/student's spouse's work permits are referred as SOWP)
 

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
95,938
22,177
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
For inland spousal sponsorship application, you will NOT need to wait till AIP to apply for OWP. ONLY if you are out of status, then you will need to wait till AIP to apply for OWP.

(note, it's generally NOT called SOWP for inland. Currently, only foreworker/student's spouse's work permits are referred as SOWP)
Agreed with all of this. You only need AOR to apply for the OWP.
 
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Jpretty

Full Member
Jun 18, 2021
20
0
my husband applied for student visa and i applied for spousal open work permit.today our visa was refused because they were not convinced that we will leave Canada after his studies.please what do i do
 

Naturgrl

VIP Member
Apr 5, 2020
45,028
9,582
my husband applied for student visa and i applied for spousal open work permit.today our visa was refused because they were not convinced that we will leave Canada after his studies.please what do i do
Order GCMS notes. Post question under International students as this is about family sponsorship. In your post answer the following.

So you were both refused? What were reasons for refusal for both applications? What is your spouse’s profile and what was planned program of study? What school? How long is program? Justify costs of program with career and education advancement? SOWP is not guaranteed. May be better to apply for just study permit (if program makes sense) to show ties to return. What are your ties to home country if you both come to Canada?
 
Last edited:

Jpretty

Full Member
Jun 18, 2021
20
0
Order GCMS notes. Post question under International students as this is about family sponsorship. In your post answer the following.

So you were both refused? What were reasons for refusal for both applications? What is your spouse’s profile and what was planned program of study? What school? How long is program? Justify costs of program with career and education advancement? SOWP is not guaranteed. May be better to apply for just study permit (if program makes sense) to show ties to return. What are your ties to home country if you both come to Canada?
we applied together.reason no enough asset outside canada.the program was two years study program in conestoga college.if we want to reapply does it mean we will provide a new proof of fund?
 

Naturgrl

VIP Member
Apr 5, 2020
45,028
9,582
we applied together.reason no enough asset outside canada.the program was two years study program in conestoga college.if we want to reapply does it mean we will provide a new proof of fund?
Post your question under International Students with reasons for refusal and full profile.
 
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yamuna25

Newbie
Jul 28, 2023
1
0
Hi,

I have applied for INLAND spousal sponsorship (PR) for my wife. We have received the AOR letter. Now she is eligible to apply for an open work permit. My question is can she apply for the open work permit at US-Canada border?

The reason is that Online processing time of a work permit inside Canada is taking 4-5 months. I was thinking to get it at the port of entry, it will be much faster I guess.
Hi,
I have a similar situation, can you please share if you tried POE for OWP?