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TRV for returning to Canada - Worker vs Visitor

mmbb1430@yahoo.com.ar

Full Member
Mar 30, 2017
29
4
Hi,

I have a valid multiple entry Visitor's Visa.
I was working under the IEC program with an Open Work Permit.
When I entered Canada I also had a valid Worker Visa which has expired.
I'm now waiting for my new Work Permit which will be a SOWP (Spousal Open Work Permit).

1. Do I need to apply for a new Worker Visa to be able to leave Canada and come back and start working?
2. If the worker visa is not needed, would I enter as a visitor and then change the status to worker somehow?
3. Can I leave before getting the new work permit , come back as a visitor and keep waiting for my new permit? I know implied status to keep working does not apply since my IEC OWP permit is not extendable, I can stay but I can't work.

In all the above cases: what should I do once I receive my new permit?

I don't know how this works and I couldn't find a similar scenario on other threads.

Thanks!
 
Last edited:

canuck_in_uk

VIP Member
May 4, 2012
31,553
7,205
Visa Office......
London
App. Filed.......
06/12
Hi,

I have a valid multiple entry Visitor's Visa.
I was working under the IEC program with an Open Work Permit.
When I entered Canada I also had a valid Worker Visa which has expired.
I'm now waiting for my new Work Permit which will be a SOWP (Spousal Open Work Permit).

1. Do I need to apply for a new Worker Visa to be able to leave Canada and come back and start working?
2. If the worker visa is not needed, would I enter as a visitor and then change the status to worker somehow?
3. Can I leave before getting the new work permit , come back as a visitor and keep waiting for my new permit? I know implied status to keep working does not apply since my IEC OWP permit is not extendable, I can stay but I can't work.

In all the above cases: what should I do once I receive my new permit?

I don't know how this works and I couldn't find a similar scenario on other threads.

Thanks!
Hi

To clarify, are you in Canada and needing to leave soon?
 

canuck_in_uk

VIP Member
May 4, 2012
31,553
7,205
Visa Office......
London
App. Filed.......
06/12
Hi,

I have a valid multiple entry Visitor's Visa.
I was working under the IEC program with an Open Work Permit.
When I entered Canada I also had a valid Worker Visa which has expired.
I'm now waiting for my new Work Permit which will be a SOWP (Spousal Open Work Permit).

1. Do I need to apply for a new Worker Visa to be able to leave Canada and come back and start working?
2. If the worker visa is not needed, would I enter as a visitor and then change the status to worker somehow?
3. Can I leave before getting the new work permit , come back as a visitor and keep waiting for my new permit? I know implied status to keep working does not apply since my IEC OWP permit is not extendable, I can stay but I can't work.

In all the above cases: what should I do once I receive my new permit?

I don't know how this works and I couldn't find a similar scenario on other threads.

Thanks!
1. A TRV is a TRV. Your current one is valid, regardless of what status you hold. Note that you need the approved work permit to start working.

2. If your new work permit hasn't been approved before you return, yes you will enter as a visitor. You don't need to change your status; it will change to worker once your new work permit is approved.

3. As above.
 

mmbb1430@yahoo.com.ar

Full Member
Mar 30, 2017
29
4
1. A TRV is a TRV. Your current one is valid, regardless of what status you hold. Note that you need the approved work permit to start working.

2. If your new work permit hasn't been approved before you return, yes you will enter as a visitor. You don't need to change your status; it will change to worker once your new work permit is approved.

3. As above.
So regardless of if I get my new permit and when I do get it, it doesn't change the fact that I can travel and come back. My situation won't be affected: whenever I get the work permit I'll be able to work, and whenever I want to travel and come back I should be fine and have no problems entering Canada while my visitor TRV is still valid. Is this correct?

What should I tell the officer when I come back?

1. If I received the WP to my Canada's address while I was out: I'm here to visit or to work? I guess I should clarify I'm here to work once I have my work permit in my hands.
2. If I haven't received it: I'm here to "visit" while I wait for my work permit?

My concern is: why they gave me a Work Visa when I already had a Visitor Visa in the first place? There must be a reason for that. Or was it just a mistake and extra paperwork they did? Note that the work visa expired before the visitor [multiple entry] one.

Thanks!
 

canuck_in_uk

VIP Member
May 4, 2012
31,553
7,205
Visa Office......
London
App. Filed.......
06/12
So regardless of if I get my new permit and when I do get it, it doesn't change the fact that I can travel and come back. My situation won't be affected: whenever I get the work permit I'll be able to work, and whenever I want to travel and come back I should be fine and have no problems entering Canada while my visitor TRV is still valid. Is this correct?

What should I tell the officer when I come back?

1. If I received the WP to my Canada's address while I was out: I'm here to visit or to work? I guess I should clarify I'm here to work once I have my work permit in my hands.
2. If I haven't received it: I'm here to "visit" while I wait for my work permit?

My concern is: why they gave me a Work Visa when I already had a Visitor Visa in the first place? There must be a reason for that. Or was it just a mistake and extra paperwork they did? Note that the work visa expired before the visitor [multiple entry] one.

Thanks!
1. CBSA will be able to see your status in the system and can even print out the work permit.

2. You are waiting for your work permit to be approved and understand that yu are not allowed to work until then.


I had thought you meant that you just applied for and received the valid TRV recently, after your work permit expired. It is strange that you were issued a single-entry TRV when you already had a valid multiple-entry one. I would assume that it is still valid but honestly can't say for sure, as it is possible that the issuance of the single-entry TRV cancelled the multiple-entry TRV.
 

mmbb1430@yahoo.com.ar

Full Member
Mar 30, 2017
29
4
1. CBSA will be able to see your status in the system and can even print out the work permit.

2. You are waiting for your work permit to be approved and understand that yu are not allowed to work until then.


I had thought you meant that you just applied for and received the valid TRV recently, after your work permit expired. It is strange that you were issued a single-entry TRV when you already had a valid multiple-entry one. I would assume that it is still valid but honestly can't say for sure, as it is possible that the issuance of the single-entry TRV cancelled the multiple-entry TRV.
I see, but I guess if it was cancelled it would be stamped saying so. I've seen this visitor visa stamped before with "CANCELLED WITHOUT PREJUDICE" because a new visitor visa was being emitted while the previous cancelled one was still valid.

And yes, I had a visitor multiple TRV before I started the process of getting my first work visa and permit. But now that I think it through, it makes sense because with the IEC program I only had a 1 year window to arrive into Canada (since the worker TRV was for 1 year) and the day that I arrived received the actual WP valid for 1 year since the date I arrived. So I guess that 1 year multiple entry worker TRV was to make sure I entered Canada within 1 year.

I would assume it's still valid too.
 

canuck_in_uk

VIP Member
May 4, 2012
31,553
7,205
Visa Office......
London
App. Filed.......
06/12
I see, but I guess if it was cancelled it would be stamped saying so. I've seen this visitor visa stamped before with "CANCELLED WITHOUT PREJUDICE" because a new visitor visa was being emitted while the previous cancelled one was still valid.

And yes, I had a visitor multiple TRV before I started the process of getting my first work visa and permit. But now that I think it through, it makes sense because with the IEC program I only had a 1 year window to arrive into Canada (since the worker TRV was for 1 year) and the day that I arrived received the actual WP valid for 1 year since the date I arrived. So I guess that 1 year multiple entry worker TRV was to make sure I entered Canada within 1 year.

I would assume it's still valid too.
The window of entry is determined by your letter, not the TRV.

I assume it is valid but you should find out before leaving just to make sure.
 

mmbb1430@yahoo.com.ar

Full Member
Mar 30, 2017
29
4
The window of entry is determined by your letter, not the TRV.

I assume it is valid but you should find out before leaving just to make sure.

Yes, you are right. The letter said that I must seek entry before xxxxx date which was 1 year and the same date as on the worker TRV.

My Immigration Consultant says it's valid, but I still want to confirm this. Do you know how I could confirm that is still valid?
 

canuck_in_uk

VIP Member
May 4, 2012
31,553
7,205
Visa Office......
London
App. Filed.......
06/12
Yes, you are right. The letter said that I must seek entry before xxxxx date which was 1 year and the same date as on the worker TRV.

My Immigration Consultant says it's valid, but I still want to confirm this. Do you know how I could confirm that is still valid?
Call IRCC and/or CBSA.