Can I enter Canada without activating OWP

[steelfisherman]

Hi, suppose, upon my successful application for an OWP, I receive a port of entry letter (POE letter), which says I have to enter Canada within 3 years. I understand that upon my first entry I am supposed to go to the immigration counter at the airport, show them my POE letter and collect my OWP. The OWP will allow me unlimited entry into Canada and right to work for x years. Now my question is, if after getting me POE letter, I want to visit Canada as a tourist, but don't want to activate and collect my OWP yet (i.e. I don't want to start the clock on the x-year period yet), can I just go to Canada but skip the immigration counter at the airport? Thanks a lot!

 

[Naturgrl]

Hi, suppose, upon my successful application for an OWP, I receive a port of entry letter (POE letter), which says I have to enter Canada within 3 years. I understand that upon my first entry I am supposed to go to the immigration counter at the airport, show them my POE letter and collect my OWP. The OWP will allow me unlimited entry into Canada and right to work for x years. Now my question is, if after getting me POE letter, I want to visit Canada as a tourist, but don't want to activate and collect my OWP yet (i.e. I don't want to start the clock on the x-year period yet), can I just go to Canada but skip the immigration counter at the airport? Thanks a lot!

So what OWP are you approved for - PGWP, IEC? Do you have a valid TRV to enter Canada without activating OWP?

 

[steelfisherman]

It's via a special humanitarian program, so it's just called an OWP.

I don't have a TRV without activating the OWP, but my passport has visa-free access to Canada for tourism (though I'd need an eTA).

 

[Naturgrl]

It's via a special humanitarian program, so it's just called an OWP.

I don't have a TRV without activating the OWP, but my passport has visa-free access to Canada for tourism (though I'd need an eTA).

What is the policy? What country? Lebanon? Ukraine? If you are coming to Canada, then you are activating the OWP. If you have eTA you can enter as visitor.

Same for your family, they should be travelling with you. These special policies (whatever one you are eligible for) is not necessarily a way to bring your family so if they don’t need eTA they should come to Canada as visitors.