Can I extend my open work permit with the work permit support letter before applying for PR?

[DillyG]

I applied for BC PNP under the entry-level and semi-skilled category. I have been nominated and received the confirmation couple of days ago. They had sent me the work permit support letter as well. My open work permit (OWP) expires on July 30th, what I would like to know is - can I apply for the OWP extension right away with the work permit support letter, or do I have to apply for PR before I could extend my work permit?

 

[gill1988]

I applied for BC PNP under the entry-level and semi-skilled category. I have been nominated and received the confirmation couple of days ago. They had sent me the work permit support letter as well. My open work permit (OWP) expires on July 30th, what I would like to know is - can I apply for the OWP extension right away with the work permit support letter, or do I have to apply for PR before I could extend my work permit?

Hi,

I went through pretty much the same as you and short answer is yes, you can apply for a WP before sending your paper-based PR application.

My story below.

Received BC PNP (skilled worker stream) nomination on mid April 2020. Back then I was on a closed work permit (IEC Young Professionals) that was set to expire on Sept. 2020.

At the time of nomination, I did not have all the required paper work to send my PR application. But I DID send my work permit application, using the PNP work permit support letter. In my case, I applied for a new work permit, not an extension because IEC’s can’t be extended.

After a bit over a month, IRCC approved my work permit application and issued a NEW work permit valid for 24 months. This was in late May 2020.

I finally were able to send my PR application in early Sept. 2020.

Hope it helps!

 

[DillyG]

Hi,

Thank you so much for your reply and sharing your story.

I contacted an immigration consultant, turns out, I cannot extend my open work permit since I haven’t submitted my PR application yet. Apparently, the paper-based application takes about 3 months to be acknowledged and for me to receive a file number.

The only way for me to maintain status as a worker is to apply for a closed work permit like you did. I absolutely have no problem going for the closed work permit coz I wasn't planning on moving to a different workplace until my PR gets sorted out.

Thanks again for your reply, it really did ease my mind.

 

[gill1988]

Dilly,

No worries. Glad it helped you!

I got a give you sort of bad news, well not bad but a reality check. Nowadays, it is taking 9 months for IRCC to send AOR (Acknowledgement of receipt) that will allow you to extend a work permit. The excuse is COVID… Pre-COVID times it took 1 month for them to send AOR. Back in Jan, they we sending AORs to July applicants, meaning 6 months. And I received my AOR in late May, my AR was mid Sept. 2020, so almost 9 months for me.

If it doesn’t affect being on a closed work permit, just go for it and maintain your status.

Hopefully your PR won’t take that long, at some point they will have to get back on track with processing applications. Also, everybody’s case is different and there are some August 2020 applicants getting PR right now, and I’m still months away…

Finally, your OWP is going to expire soon, send you new WP application using your BC support letter asap. But as soon as they receive that new WP application, even if your current WP expires before the new one comes in, you will be in implied status.

Best of luck!

Gill

 

[DillyG]

My application was refused by IRCC saying I did not pay the Open Work Permit Holder fee, but I applied for a Closed Work Permit. Now I have to apply for restoration and submit a new application. I heard from them today almost after 6 month.