Applying for OPW

[Cepheus74]

I came to Canada in 2012 as a TFW. I lost my job in April 2014. I spoke to CIC and asked if I could apply for an OPW.

They sent me an email which contained this important line

You can apply for an open work permit if you:

Have a temporary resident permit valid for at least six months and you are unable to pay for your basic needs without working,

Has anyone else applied under this condition or have any thoughts or suggestions? I have applied for PR, which I expect to hear something within a month, but I can't wait and need to work to earn money to pay my bills.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

You don't have a Temporary Resident Permit. TRPs are special permits that people apply for when they have a need to travel to Canada but are otherwise inadmissible.

At this point, if you cannot afford to live in Canada without working, your best option is to return to your home country while you wait for your PR app to be processed.

 

[Cepheus74]

Do I not fall into the Temporary Resident Permit category as a TFW?

I am from the UK, so I think I don't need a TRP.

 

[scylla]

Do I not fall into the Temporary Resident Permit category as a TFW?

I am from the UK, so I think I don't need a TRP.

No - you certainly do not fall into the temporary resident permit category as a TFW.

And no - you don't have a TRP. TRPs are special permits you have to apply for to enter Canada when you are inadmissible due to a crime or something of a similar nature. The call centre person you spoke to had no idea what he/she was talking about (unfortunately this happens far too often). The TRP clause definitely does not apply to you and you do not qualify for an OWP under this rule.

If you want to work for someone else, you need to find a new employer willing to offer you a full time job, that employer needs to obtain an approved LMIA and then you can apply for a new closed work permit tied to your new employer.

 

[Cepheus74]

No - you certainly do not fall into the temporary resident permit category as a TFW.

And no - you don't have a TRP. TRPs are special permits you have to apply for to enter Canada when you are inadmissible due to a crime or something of a similar nature. The call centre person you spoke to had no idea what he/she was talking about (unfortunately this happens far too often). The TRP clause definitely does not apply to you and you do not qualify for an OWP under this rule.

If you want to work for someone else, you need to find a new employer willing to offer you a full time job, that employer needs to obtain an approved LMIA and then you can apply for a new closed work permit tied to your new employer.

Thank you for your reply. I find it crazy that I can not obtain an OPW or BOPW work after being layed off due to no fault of my own. I have 3 young kids in school and moving back to the UK whilst the PR is processed and then moving back will just totally disrupt their schooling.

 

[scylla]

Well you don't qualify for an OWP. But you may qualify for a BOWP if you've applied to immigrate as a skilled worker and have AOR.

 

[PMM]

HI

Well you don't qualify for an OWP. But you may qualify for a BOWP if you've applied to immigrate as a skilled worker and have AOR.

But only if his/her current work permit expires within 4 months.

 

[scylla]

HI


But only if his/her current work permit expires within 4 months.

According to the rules - yes. But we've actually seen a notable number of people approved for BOWPs on this forum whose work permits have longer validities but who were fired by their employers. So CIC is making exceptions to the four month rule.

 

[Cepheus74]

According to the rules - yes. But we've actually seen a notable number of people approved for BOWPs on this forum whose work permits have longer validities but who were fired by their employers. So CIC is making exceptions to the four month rule.

Once again thank you for the replies. I have a AOR for CEC class. I shall update you guys once I hear back, should be 6 days or so.

 

[Cepheus74]

Once again thank you for the replies. I have a AOR for CEC class. I shall update you guys once I hear back, should be 6 days or so.

My application has been approved for a BOPW, with 7 months left on my current closed PW. I was laid off in April 2014.