Open Work Permits not being approved even when meeting eligibility criteria
- Thread starter CanUK333
- Start date
Good luck Haven’t heard back from our MP yet (wonder if province has anything to do with approval but a few others are from Ontario so I think not)
So I got a response back from my webform message where I re-uploaded supporting docs and wrote a letter. This is more frustrating than I thought 
The response I got was basically saying that they haven't even opened my file yet!!!!! They haven't even started looking at my OWP application!!!! That's why I don't have an application number and why I haven't been able to link online. So this seems to be another yet completely different issue than the rest of you.
What would be the reason why they haven't even opened my application yet???!!!!!
Furthermore, does my husband still have implied status even if they haven't opened the file yet? Is this going to effect the application once they open it? Because he was in-status when we sent the app but not when they finally open the file. I'm so frustrated and heartbroken by all of this. Especially when there seems to be no rhyme or reason.
The response I got was basically saying that they haven't even opened my file yet!!!!! They haven't even started looking at my OWP application!!!! That's why I don't have an application number and why I haven't been able to link online. So this seems to be another yet completely different issue than the rest of you.
What would be the reason why they haven't even opened my application yet???!!!!!
Furthermore, does my husband still have implied status even if they haven't opened the file yet? Is this going to effect the application once they open it? Because he was in-status when we sent the app but not when they finally open the file. I'm so frustrated and heartbroken by all of this. Especially when there seems to be no rhyme or reason.
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I honestly just think its Manitoba, I have had nothing but problems here so far. So I sent in my Inland PR with an OWP it was received Dec 19. On Jan 23 my whole packet was returned because on my OWP I typed in my name and didnt hand sign it as well. So I sent it all back in made sure it was hand signed, it was received January 27. On March 14th I received AOR, but couldnt link my OWP. Everyone else around me on the Jan forum could link theirs 5 days after. Well my visitor record expires May 18th and you're supposed to get implied status with your OWP. Newrly a month goes by it's now April 8th and I contact IRCC. I filled out a Technical difficulties saying I cznt link my app, a few days later they tell me to fill out a web form with more info. I do... 5 days later they tell me to fill out another web form showing the info I entered because they think I'm an idiot and dont think I entered it correctly. So I take a picture showing. I take another picture when it says application not found. I send it in. Then they tell me that based on the information they received they havent even started processing my OWP and I will receive a email starting with X000 or something when they do. So I'm going to apply to extend my visitor record. I give up on the OWP I doubt it will be approved in time but now I'm worried about my visitor extension.So I got a response back from my webform message where I re-uploaded supporting docs and wrote a letter. This is more frustrating than I thought
The response I got was basically saying that they haven't even opened my file yet!!!!! They haven't even started looking at my OWP application!!!! That's why I don't have an application number and why I haven't been able to link online. So this seems to be another yet completely different issue than the rest of you.
What would be the reason why they haven't even opened my application yet???!!!!!
Furthermore, does my husband still have implied status even if they haven't opened the file yet? Is this going to effect the application once they open it? Because he was in-status when we sent the app but not when they finally open the file. I'm so frustrated and heartbroken by all of this. Especially when there seems to be no rhyme or reason.
I came here Dec 23 2018, I applied in May 2019 like it says a month before to extend my stay. My first time ever doing that, they approved me for 4 days. I was like wth.. So I applied a few days before it expired June 2019 while we waited for our marriage certificate to come back,sat there waiting with no reply.. it wasnt approved until October and I asked to stay til November.. So I applied again in October for a year I told them my husband and I were waiting for our marriage certificate so we could apply for PR. Well the marriage certificate finally came in November. Instead of giving me the year they gave me 6 months.
I have a friend who is here in Ontario, they aren't married just dating and he has had his extension approved for the time they asked twice.
I just dont get it, the whole time I feel like everything is against us and it stresses me out. It almost feels like we should just give up at this point. If they decline my visitor extension because I sent an OWP and they havent even open my OWP.. Does that mean i'll just be out of status and sit there and have to pay more money for restoration? :'(
Yes, Implied Status is still granted even if they haven't opened the app yet. It goes by receipt date.So I got a response back from my webform message where I re-uploaded supporting docs and wrote a letter. This is more frustrating than I thought
The response I got was basically saying that they haven't even opened my file yet!!!!! They haven't even started looking at my OWP application!!!! That's why I don't have an application number and why I haven't been able to link online. So this seems to be another yet completely different issue than the rest of you.
What would be the reason why they haven't even opened my application yet???!!!!!
Furthermore, does my husband still have implied status even if they haven't opened the file yet? Is this going to effect the application once they open it? Because he was in-status when we sent the app but not when they finally open the file. I'm so frustrated and heartbroken by all of this. Especially when there seems to be no rhyme or reason.
The visitor extension won't be denied because of the OWP app and you would only be left out of status if BOTH the visitor extension and the OWP are refused.
I feel your pain believe me! My husband's OWP has not been opened yet and his visitor's status has expired and we we're incorrectly told by a call centre agent not to extend.
I have been told by numerous experienced forum members that you are still with "Implied Status" which is a legal status until the OWP application is either formally rejected via letter or is sent back. Implied status starts as soon as application is received regardless of whether they've opened it (that's what I've been told on here). I've also been told by members NOT to apply for restored status as that takes 3 months to get and OPW may come before then. They tell me that when you submit a restore status application, your OWP gets put on hold as they restore your status then the OWP gets reviewed which makes the time frame for this option not worth it and more money.
This concerns me though as when they finally go and open the application, are they going to go on the status information provided at the time of submission or our current status? Furthermore, what if our stage one PR approval is denied and we don't have our OWP and we are without status...then that means we have to leave the country immediately! Whereas, if we had visitors status still we could re-apply while still staying in the country.
Contact your MP and have them look into why the application has not been started. Give your MP your proof that you meet ALL of the criteria (PR application number, proof of co-habitation, marriage cert., proof of initial visitors status at the time of submission). They then can use their contacts with IRCC to get a more detailed status than we can on our end.
I've done this and will update you when I hear back from them. But i'm still on the fence as whether or not my husband should apply for restoration, I'd hate for him to be out of status if applications are denied.
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As I said, they go by receipt date. Unless and until the OWP app is refused or returned, your husband still has valid Implied Status and therefore cannot apply for Restoration.
If we are still batting around the idea that some of our OWPs were not approved because our passports were not stamped at customs upon arrival, I did submit an Access to Information Act and Privacy Act (ATIP) request, to prove my arrival date into Canada, thus proving my status was valid at the time of application. After 20 days, I received the requested information. Not sure if it will be any help, but it trumps having to show photos of my boarding passes for that trip. Here's where to apply for your entry record as well: https://atip-aiprp.apps.gc.ca/atip/welcome.do
I also wrote to my MP, and received a consent form to fill out for their communication with IRCC. I just sent that back, and will let you know about any future correspondence or decisions. FYI, I am in Ontario.
I also wrote to my MP, and received a consent form to fill out for their communication with IRCC. I just sent that back, and will let you know about any future correspondence or decisions. FYI, I am in Ontario.
Thanks for this link. I'm going to get my husband to do this. Interesting that you had to fill out a consent for your MP, I did not...hmmmm..I'm going to ask them if I need to do that. I did think it was strange that they'd be able to access my info on my behalf. Can't wait to see what our MPs can do.
If it helps, our MP didn't ask us to fill out a consent form either, and IRCC ended up approving my boyfriend's OWP.
https://atip-aiprp.apps.gc.ca/atip/requesterInformation
Select the department: Canada Border Services Agency
To be eligible... Select: Individual/corporation currently present in Canada
Continue to fill out dropdowns and submit information
Privacy Act or Access to Information Act... Select: Privacy Act
Which type of records... Select: Case Files
Continue to fill out dropdowns and submit information
There should be NO fee when submitting a request under the Privacy Act
Hope this helps!
The consent form seemed to be specific to my MP's office and had this disclaimer on the top "By completing this form, you authorize Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to release information about you to the office of [MP's name]," and it asked for my UCI and/or application numbers. I provided everything including UCI & application numbers for my PR, OWP & Visitor Extension apps since they are all interconnected.
Other personal contact information and a brief explanation of the issue also needed to be provided. But compared to what we've been doing for IRCC, it was a breeze.
Just so others know. I did some research and a consent form is not required for an MP to access your info. So if your MP (like mine or DirtyMelodies) did not get you to sign a consent form then that's ok. Here's a copy & paste explanation I found.
"If you are in Canada and asking an MP for assistance - a member of parliament - Federal consent is not required as a result of the Privacy Act. An MP can ask for information on your behalf from a Federal department as if he/she were you speaking directly to the department.
Privacy Act:
http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/P-21/page-3.html#docCont
8. (1) Personal information under the control of a government institution shall not, without the consent of the individual to whom it relates, be disclosed by the institution except in accordance with this section.
(g) to a member of Parliament for the purpose of assisting the individual to whom the information relates in resolving a problem;"
"If you are in Canada and asking an MP for assistance - a member of parliament - Federal consent is not required as a result of the Privacy Act. An MP can ask for information on your behalf from a Federal department as if he/she were you speaking directly to the department.
Privacy Act:
http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/P-21/page-3.html#docCont
8. (1) Personal information under the control of a government institution shall not, without the consent of the individual to whom it relates, be disclosed by the institution except in accordance with this section.
(g) to a member of Parliament for the purpose of assisting the individual to whom the information relates in resolving a problem;"