+1(514) 937-9445 or Toll-free (Canada & US) +1 (888) 947-9445

Can I apply for open work permit outside Canada then enter canada to wait for decsion?

Kruschev

Full Member
Oct 11, 2019
36
4
Hi everyone!

I have a problem may need a little bit help.

I am applying for a graduate program in canada from China. I am a Chinese citizen. My wife and I already hava visitor visa of Canada. After I get study permit, I am planning to apply for a open work permit from China for my wife because the process duration could last for months. Will it possible for my wife to enter Canada with visitor visa and wait the approval of open work permit within Canada? I didn't find instruction on this part on goverment website? Is there anyone could help?

Thank you very much.
 

canuck_in_uk

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

I have a problem may need a little bit help.

I am applying for a graduate program in canada from China. I am a Chinese citizen. My wife and I already hava visitor visa of Canada. After I get study permit, I am planning to apply for a open work permit from China for my wife because the process duration could last for months. Will it possible for my wife to enter Canada with visitor visa and wait the approval of open work permit within Canada? I didn't find instruction on this part on goverment website? Is there anyone could help?

Thank you very much.
If she applies outside and then comes to Canada, she will have to actually leave Canada to activate the permit.
 

Kruschev

Full Member
Oct 11, 2019
36
4
If she applies outside and then comes to Canada, she will have to actually leave Canada to activate the permit.
Thank you very much for your reply.

May I ask if we sumit the applying within Canada, does she need to leave Canada to activate the permit?
Thanks.
 

vensak

VIP Member
Jul 14, 2016
3,868
1,016
124
Category........
Visa Office......
Vienna
NOC Code......
1225
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
leaving Canada to activate it is not a big problem. She can use logic what people do for flag poling (go to the border direction USA and then return after being formally rejected).
Problem is, that:
1. She may or may not be approved for work visa (despite that you will have your student visa)
2. She may or may not be allowed to enter to Canada as a visitor (again despite that she has visitor visa already)
3. She may or may not be able to activate her work visa. (final decision is on the immigration officer at border crossing).

Of course point 3 is also valid for your activation of student visas.
 

Kruschev

Full Member
Oct 11, 2019
36
4
leaving Canada to activate it is not a big problem. She can use logic what people do for flag poling (go to the border direction USA and then return after being formally rejected).
Problem is, that:
1. She may or may not be approved for work visa (despite that you will have your student visa)
2. She may or may not be allowed to enter to Canada as a visitor (again despite that she has visitor visa already)
3. She may or may not be able to activate her work visa. (final decision is on the immigration officer at border crossing).

Of course point 3 is also valid for your activation of student visas.

Thank you so much for your reply. May I ask a few more questions please? I am trying to gather as much infomation as possible to make early plan for next year. I really hope I didn't bother you too much.

1. How big is the chance that we got rejected for applying the OPW according to your own experience? Is it a very risky thing or just a risk we have to take every time we enter Canada?

2. Can I apply OPW for my wife after the approval of my study permit and before activation of it at the board of Canada?

3. It looks like we can issue the applying for OPW at the boarder of Canada after going through your reply, can I apply for it the same time while I activate my study permit at the boarder of Canada?


Thanks a lot. Wish you all the best.
 

canuck_in_uk

VIP Member
May 4, 2012
31,553
7,205
Visa Office......
London
App. Filed.......
06/12
Thank you so much for your reply. May I ask a few more questions please? I am trying to gather as much infomation as possible to make early plan for next year. I really hope I didn't bother you too much.

1. How big is the chance that we got rejected for applying the OPW according to your own experience? Is it a very risky thing or just a risk we have to take every time we enter Canada?

2. Can I apply OPW for my wife after the approval of my study permit and before activation of it at the board of Canada?

3. It looks like we can issue the applying for OPW at the boarder of Canada after going through your reply, can I apply for it the same time while I activate my study permit at the boarder of Canada?


Thanks a lot. Wish you all the best.
1. As she already has a TRV, chances of approval are good. There is little risk to her coming to Canada.

2. Yes.

3. She doesn't qualify to apply for an OWP at the border.
 

canuck78

VIP Member
Jun 18, 2017
55,594
13,523
Would add that the only other thing you should be concerned about is whether your savings are pretty minimal. One of the issue when it comes to OWP approval will be whether you can support the both of you if she doesn’t find employment. Depending on the province you will also have to look at healthcare. Sometimes spouses get it through the university but it varies by province.
 

Kruschev

Full Member
Oct 11, 2019
36
4
Would add that the only other thing you should be concerned about is whether your savings are pretty minimal. One of the issue when it comes to OWP approval will be whether you can support the both of you if she doesn’t find employment. Depending on the province you will also have to look at healthcare. Sometimes spouses get it through the university but it varies by province.
I am planning to apply for a graduate program in Ontario. Could you please give a lit clue on healthcare regulations in Ontario?

Thanks a lot.
 

Kruschev

Full Member
Oct 11, 2019
36
4
1. As she already has a TRV, chances of approval are good. There is little risk to her coming to Canada.

2. Yes.

3. She doesn't qualify to apply for an OWP at the border.

Hi!
Thank you very much for your time.
May I ask why my wife won't be qualifed to apply for an OWP at the boarder? For the boarder, I meant the one at airport.

Thanks.
 

Kruschev

Full Member
Oct 11, 2019
36
4
Because she requires a TRV.

Sorry I didn't metioned we both have valid vistor visa already. We have both been Canada before for tourism purpose. Does it count as TRV? In this situation, is it possible or recommend to apply for OWP while I am activating my study permit at the boarder of Canada airport?

Thank you so much.
 

canuck_in_uk

VIP Member
May 4, 2012
31,553
7,205
Visa Office......
London
App. Filed.......
06/12
Sorry I didn't metioned we both have valid vistor visa already. We have both been Canada before for tourism purpose. Does it count as TRV? In this situation, is it possible or recommend to apply for OWP while I am activating my study permit at the boarder of Canada airport?

Thank you so much.
Yes, I know. The fact that she requires a visitor visa means she is not eligible to apply for an OWP at a port of entry. Only visa-exempt people can apply at a POE.
 
  • Like
Reactions: k.h.p.