CEC Applicants - BOWP or SOWP Confusion!!

[softfuel12]

Hi,

Myself and my wife applied for CEC back in August 2014. We received the AOR in December 2014. My wife is the principal applicant. Our open work permit is expiring on 11th Sept 2015.

Original Plan: Based on the AOR, I have applied for my wife's BOWP and once she receives her permit. I'll apply for SOWP for myself. The problem now is that her online application is with CIC for more than 60 days and I'm worried if it will go beyond September then I'll be in trouble.

New Plan: I am thinking of applying for my own BOWP based on the AOR we received for CEC. Can I do that? or I can only apply for SOWP?

Please advise.

Thanks!!

 

[mesumrizvi]

You can apply for your SOWP mentioning the application # for your wife's new BOWP request in the letter of explanation. It shall be fine. I will not suggest applying for your separate BOWP. Your SOWP will be processed after your wife's new BOWP has been approved thus you it will not be a problem.

 

[softfuel12]

You can apply for your SOWP mentioning the application # for your wife's new BOWP request in the letter of explanation. It shall be fine. I will not suggest applying for your separate BOWP. Your SOWP will be processed after your wife's new BOWP has been approved thus you it will not be a problem.

Thanks a lot! Should I include AOR with my letter of explanation?

 

[mesumrizvi]

Yes. include AOR as well as the application # for your wife's new BOWP request.. Should easily get it.

Thanks a lot! Should I include AOR with my letter of explanation?

 

[jes_ON]

I agree, you can go ahead and apply for the SOWP (you could have included your application with your wife's BOWP application).

Just a point of fact, only the principal applicant is eligible to apply for a BOWP, so you could not do that. But your SOWP eligibility will be based on her BOWP...

 

[softfuel12]

Yes. include AOR as well as the application # for your wife's new BOWP request.. Should easily get it.

Alright! Thanks a lot.

 

[softfuel12]

I agree, you can go ahead and apply for the SOWP (you could have included your application with your wife's BOWP application).

Just a point of fact, only the principal applicant is eligible to apply for a BOWP, so you could not do that. But your SOWP eligibility will be based on her BOWP...

Thanks jes_ON for validating. You might not remember but you've helped me a lot previously (Study Permit, Work Permit and CEC). You're doing great job.

 

[jes_ON]

Thanks jes_ON for validating. You might not remember but you've helped me a lot previously (Study Permit, Work Permit and CEC). You're doing great job.

Thanks - that's nice to hear! Good luck --

 

[PeachCEC]

Hi Jes_ON

I am in a similar situation. I applied for CEC in Aug 2014 and PGWP is expiring in Feb 2016. Aside from BOWP, I am thinking of applying for SOWP (partner on SP). Do you know how long in advance I can apply for the SOWP? The processing time is around 4 months and I am thinking of mid-September. Is it too soon?

Thank you!

I agree, you can go ahead and apply for the SOWP (you could have included your application with your wife's BOWP application).

Just a point of fact, only the principal applicant is eligible to apply for a BOWP, so you could not do that. But your SOWP eligibility will be based on her BOWP...

 

[jes_ON]

I am in a similar situation. I applied for CEC in Aug 2014 and PGWP is expiring in Feb 2016. Aside from BOWP, I am thinking of applying for SOWP (partner on SP). Do you know how long in advance I can apply for the SOWP? The processing time is around 4 months and I am thinking of mid-September. Is it too soon?

You can apply for the BOWP (and partner's SOWP) no sooner than 4 months before the expiry of your current permit (the PGWP).

So, yes, it is too soon to apply for the BOWP, and therefore too soon to apply for an SOWP based on the BOWP. If your PGWP expires mid-February, earliest you can apply is mid-October. You can submit both applications at the same time.

If your partner needs to change to a work permit sooner than that, s/he could apply NOW for an SOWP based on your PGWP, if you have full-time skilled employment. But that permit will expire at the same time as your PGWP, and you will have to renew it along with your work permit, if/when you apply for the BOWP.

 

[PeachCEC]

Hi Jes_ON,

Thank you so much for getting back to me!

Sorry I should have explained better. I am the principal applicant for my CEC application so you are right that I can apply for a BOWP. However, my partner is on SP till 2018, so I think I can apply for a SOWP under him as well (not a SOWP based on BOWP), let aside my CEC application/BOWP.

I am thinking of SOWP as it should give me a longer time. Does the 4 months rule still apply?

Thank you!

You can apply for the BOWP (and partner's SOWP) no sooner than 4 months before the expiry of your current permit (the PGWP).

So, yes, it is too soon to apply for the BOWP, and therefore too soon to apply for an SOWP based on the BOWP. If your PGWP expires mid-February, earliest you can apply is mid-October. You can submit both applications at the same time.

If your partner needs to change to a work permit sooner than that, s/he could apply NOW for an SOWP based on your PGWP, if you have full-time skilled employment. But that permit will expire at the same time as your PGWP, and you will have to renew it along with your work permit, if/when you apply for the BOWP.

 

[jes_ON]

Sorry I should have explained better. I am the principal applicant for my CEC application so you are right that I can apply for a BOWP. However, my partner is on SP till 2018, so I think I can apply for a SOWP under him as well (not a SOWP based on BOWP), let aside my CEC application/BOWP.

I am thinking of SOWP as it should give me a longer time. Does the 4 months rule still apply?

OK, now I see what you mean. I believe you can apply for that any time. Hopefully, you won't need to wait until 2018 for your PR, tho!

 

[PeachCEC]

Sigh Sigh I hope not!

My PGWP is expiring in Feb 2016, so I am thinking of applying the SOWP by late September (and hopefully, receiving it by Jan 2016). Would it be weird if I apply to early?

OK, now I see what you mean. I believe you can apply for that any time. Hopefully, you won't need to wait until 2018 for your PR, tho!