SOWP Restoration + Work permit Extension

[selinaa07]

I have recently submitted my Husband's SOWP Restoration + Work permit Extension after his initial extension was refused.
1. I forgot to upload his full time employment letter. Can i generate web form?
2. What is the restoration process timeline right now? Can he work after his restoration got approved?

 

[Naturgrl]

1. His job letter is not relevant is you are on a PGWP. It is your job letter and paystubs which are required.
2. If his work permit is expired then he cannot work until permit is approved.

 

[selinaa07]

1. His job letter is not relevant is you are on a PGWP. It is your job letter and paystubs which are required.
2. If his work permit is expired then he cannot work until permit is approved.

2. Even if he got his restoration status approved?

 

[Naturgrl]

2. Even if he got his restoration status approved?

Correct. Restoring status doesn’t let you work as work permit must be approved. Restoring status just means keeping status as worker while permit is being processed. See IRRC procedure.

Continuation of work or study
Foreign nationals applying for restoration have lost their status and authority to work or study. They may not continue to work or attend school until their status and authorization have been restored and a new work or study permit has been issued.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/visitors/restoration-status.html#

 

[jimit1806]

did your status was approved. what is the latest update on your profile. my visa expiring is on 15th april and my spouse is going to graduating in dec,2024. so i need to know that new sowp changes will be applicable to us for extension or just new application only. please share update if any.

 

[Naturgrl]

did your status was approved. what is the latest update on your profile. my visa expiring is on 15th april and my spouse is going to graduating in dec,2024. so i need to know that new sowp changes will be applicable to us for extension or just new application only. please share update if any.

For PGWPs, new rules apply for your spouse. Not sure what SOWP changes you are referring to.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/eligibility/study-requirements.html

 

[jimit1806]

My wife is graduating in dec,2024 and im sowp expiring on 15th april,2025. She is doing her MBA which is 16 month course so issue on that. So my concern is this new changes will be applicable to me as well in the case of extension or its just for new fresh application.

New SOWP Change " limiting work permit eligibility later this year to spouses of foreign workers in management or professional occupations or in sectors with labour shortages—under Canada’s work permit programs (TFWP and IMP) "

 

[Naturgrl]

My wife is graduating in dec,2024 and im sowp expiring on 15th april,2025. She is doing her MBA which is 16 month course so issue on that. So my concern is this new changes will be applicable to me as well in the case of extension or its just for new fresh application.

New SOWP Change " limiting work permit eligibility later this year to spouses of foreign workers in management or professional occupations or in sectors with labour shortages—under Canada’s work permit programs (TFWP and IMP) "

Still don’t understand the tie - spouse is not on TFWP or IMP.

 

[jimit1806]

Still don’t understand the tie - spouse is not on TFWP or IMP.

Thing is that my will be applying the PWGP in the Jan,2024 and i will have to apply for extension in the end of march, 2025 due to my sowp expiry of 15th april,2025. Meanwhile government will be applying the new proposed rules.

" limiting work permit eligibility later this year to spouses of foreign workers in management or professional occupations or in sectors with labour shortages—under Canada’s work permit programs (TFWP and IMP) "

Not sure, this rules are applicable for new sowp or extensions as well. Besides that, in the current market scenario who can get that kind of management job as all of them required almost 5 years of experience. she will be working as a NOC 2 supervisor which is ok as its is accepted under the current criteria for sowp extension. but in case of management or professional occupations those are NOC 0. If such a case idk what to do.

 

[Naturgrl]

Thing is that my will be applying the PWGP in the Jan,2024 and i will have to apply for extension in the end of march, 2025 due to my sowp expiry of 15th april,2025. Meanwhile government will be applying the new proposed rules.

" limiting work permit eligibility later this year to spouses of foreign workers in management or professional occupations or in sectors with labour shortages—under Canada’s work permit programs (TFWP and IMP) "

Not sure, this rules are applicable for new sowp or extensions as well. Besides that, in the current market scenario who can get that kind of management job as all of them required almost 5 years of experience. she will be working as a NOC 2 supervisor which is ok as its is accepted under the current criteria for sowp extension. but in case of management or professional occupations those are NOC 0. If such a case idk what to do.

Wait for November 1 rules. Spouse is under new rules if applying for PGWP after November 1 so you should assume that new rules apply to you. But as I said spouse is not PGWP not TFWP or IMP.

 

[28ramneetkaur]

Did you get any result?

 

[selinaa07]

Did you get any result?

Not yet. Still waiting

 

[TL2022]

I had a similar experience. I submitted my PGWP application along with my husband’s SOWP extension application in August 2024. On January 3, 2025, IRCC informed me that my husband’s SOWP application was refused because I did not provide job support at the time of submission.

I would like to clarify the following:

1. Employment Letter Requirement: Is it necessary to include my employment letter (proof of a valid job in a skilled position) to help restore my husband’s work status and support his SOWP application?
2. Bundled Applications: Is restoring his worker status and reapplying for the SOWP done as a single, combined application, or are these two separate processes?

Additionally, I find the process confusing and challenging. After graduation, it is nearly impossible to secure a job immediately, especially without an approved PGWP. I got some employers hesitate to hire me as my work permit is still under processing. It takes months to receive the PGWP, and by then, my husband’s original SOWP has already expired. How can I effectively handle this situation to ensure his SOWP can be extended without these timing issues?

Thank you very much, everyone.

 

[selinaa07]

I had a similar experience. I submitted my PGWP application along with my husband’s SOWP extension application in August 2024. On January 3, 2025, IRCC informed me that my husband’s SOWP application was refused because I did not provide job support at the time of submission.

I would like to clarify the following:

1. Employment Letter Requirement: Is it necessary to include my employment letter (proof of a valid job in a skilled position) to help restore my husband’s work status and support his SOWP application?
2. Bundled Applications: Is restoring his worker status and reapplying for the SOWP done as a single, combined application, or are these two separate processes?

Additionally, I find the process confusing and challenging. After graduation, it is nearly impossible to secure a job immediately, especially without an approved PGWP. I got some employers hesitate to hire me as my work permit is still under processing. It takes months to receive the PGWP, and by then, my husband’s original SOWP has already expired. How can I effectively handle this situation to ensure his SOWP can be extended without these timing issues?

Thank you very much, everyone.

Hey, Did your application got approved? If yes, then you need to include all proof to show that you're working full time (doesn't matter skilled or not). But Employment letter and paystubs are mandatory.
Unfortunately, your husband has to stop working immediately until his Restoration + New application get approved.
I have faced similar situation and had applied for my husband's Restoration + New application since 28th of Sept. Still waiting for the response.
The process is almost similar as to applying initially. Don't panic and do not make any mistakes this time. Be clear and check everything twice before submitting.
If you still find it difficult, there are so many video tutorials on you tube to help you out.
Reach out if you have any more concerns.

 

[TL2022]

Hey, Did your application got approved? If yes, then you need to include all proof to show that you're working full time (doesn't matter skilled or not). But Employment letter and paystubs are mandatory.
Unfortunately, your husband has to stop working immediately until his Restoration + New application get approved.
I have faced similar situation and had applied for my husband's Restoration + New application since 28th of Sept. Still waiting for the response.
The process is almost similar as to applying initially. Don't panic and do not make any mistakes this time. Be clear and check everything twice before submitting.
If you still find it difficult, there are so many video tutorials on you tube to help you out.
Reach out if you have any more concerns.

Thank you so much for your advice!

I have not yet received approval for my PGWP. Should I wait for it to be approved before helping my husband restore his status, or should we proceed with the restoration application now? I’m also unsure how long IRCC will take to process my PGWP, which adds to the uncertainty.

Currently, I’ve just received a job offer and expect to receive the official employment letter by the end of this month. For my husband’s SOWP application, would the employment letter alone be sufficient, or do I also need to include pay stubs?

May I ask if you submitted the status restoration and SOWP application together in one submission?

I truly appreciate you sharing your experience and hope you receive good news soon.