City Restriction on Open Work Permit

[ElmTree]

So, I got my Spousal Open Work Permit last summer. Moved to Canada in August 2016. At the immigration desk, I don't know what went on in the immigration officer's mind that he put a weird restriction as this:

Employment Location: Vancouver

At the time, I didn't pay much heed to it because I already had a job offer to work in Vancouver upon landing. I also didn't know at the time that about 3/4 of Greater Vancouver is actually not officially part of the City of Vancouver municipality, yet a large number of companies operating in Vancouver have their HQs in those non-Vancouver areas (Burnaby, Surrey, New Westminster, Richmond etc.). Incidentally, last week I ran into an immigration adviser and randomly mentioned this restriction. She said, that restriction is abnormal and unheard of (for her). Then today, I was in conversation with an employer based in Burnaby and she also said that having dealt with numerous OWP holders working for her company over the years, she has never seen an OWP with restriction of the employment location.

I am just now realising the consequences of this restriction: I cannot accept job offers from companies in Burnaby, Surrey, New Westminster, Richmond etc. Two of the employers who indicated my success after interviews have now held back their offers because I disclosed this location restriction to them. This is so frustrating.

Any suggestions?

Thanks for reading.

 

[ozlis]

So, I got my Spousal Open Work Permit last summer. Moved to Canada in August 2016. At the immigration desk, I don't know what went on in the immigration officer's mind that he put a weird restriction as this:

Employment Location: Vancouver

At the time, I didn't pay much heed to it because I already had a job offer to work in Vancouver upon landing. I also didn't know at the time that about 3/4 of Greater Vancouver is actually not officially part of the City of Vancouver municipality, yet a large number of companies operating in Vancouver have their HQs in those non-Vancouver areas (Burnaby, Surrey, New Westminster, Richmond etc.). Incidentally, last week I ran into an immigration adviser and randomly mentioned this restriction. She said, that restriction is abnormal and unheard of (for her). Then today, I was in conversation with an employer based in Burnaby and she also said that having dealt with numerous OWP holders working for her company over the years, she has never seen an OWP with restriction of the employment location.

I am just now realising the consequences of this restriction: I cannot accept job offers from companies in Burnaby, Surrey, New Westminster, Richmond etc. Two of the employers who indicated my success after interviews have now held back their offers because I disclosed this location restriction to them. This is so frustrating.

Any suggestions?

Thanks for reading.

I think you are reading into that a little too far - I would interpret that as the Greater Vancouver area, not 'the city of Vancouver'. So Burnaby, Richmond etc are fine.

Weird that you were restricted, you can apply to have your conditions changed. But in the meantime, I wouldnt let that hold you back from accepting a role in these areas.

 

[Jillztom]

My wife has got the same issue. Did you find a solution for this problem yet?

 

[mosor]

It's not really a restriction. If it was a restriction it would say " can not work in any location other than stated" in the conditions box. What probably happened was the officer put your destination city in that box instead of setting it as unknown.

If you already have a job and not planning on leaving it, I wouldn't worry, you can work anywhere in Canada. If you are looking for a new job, a lot if employers get scared when they don't see unknown and need you to work outside Vancouver from time to time, even though you legally can. If that's the case then take your work permit to where it was issued and ask them to correct it. It shouldn't be a problem.

 

[shashipandeyy]

It's not really a restriction. If it was a restriction it would say " can not work in any location other than stated" in the conditions box. What probably happened was the officer put your destination city in that box instead of setting it as unknown.

If you already have a job and not planning on leaving it, I wouldn't worry, you can work anywhere in Canada. If you are looking for a new job, a lot if employers get scared when they don't see unknown and need you to work outside Vancouver from time to time, even though you legally can. If that's the case then take your work permit to where it was issued and ask them to correct it. It shouldn't be a problem.

I have this issue and I accepted the offer from a giant MNC but I could not clear my background verification because of the city constraint. I told them that this is not right but they did not buy it. So I would really suggest people make this correction. From where I do not know as I cannot connect with the CIC customer care center.

 

[shashipandeyy]

So, I got my Spousal Open Work Permit last summer. Moved to Canada in August 2016. At the immigration desk, I don't know what went on in the immigration officer's mind that he put a weird restriction as this:

Employment Location: Vancouver

At the time, I didn't pay much heed to it because I already had a job offer to work in Vancouver upon landing. I also didn't know at the time that about 3/4 of Greater Vancouver is actually not officially part of the City of Vancouver municipality, yet a large number of companies operating in Vancouver have their HQs in those non-Vancouver areas (Burnaby, Surrey, New Westminster, Richmond etc.). Incidentally, last week I ran into an immigration adviser and randomly mentioned this restriction. She said, that restriction is abnormal and unheard of (for her). Then today, I was in conversation with an employer based in Burnaby and she also said that having dealt with numerous OWP holders working for her company over the years, she has never seen an OWP with restriction of the employment location.

I am just now realising the consequences of this restriction: I cannot accept job offers from companies in Burnaby, Surrey, New Westminster, Richmond etc. Two of the employers who indicated my success after interviews have now held back their offers because I disclosed this location restriction to them. This is so frustrating.

Any suggestions?

Thanks for reading.

Could you change the Location part? I have the same issue.. Kindly let me know where I can change it..

 

[shashipandeyy]

My wife has got the same issue. Did you find a solution for this problem yet?

Hey,

Did you find the solution yet? Same issue with my work permit.

 

[flash222]

Could you change the Location part? I have the same issue.. Kindly let me know where I can change it..

What happened to your OWP? Were you able to change it?

 

[flash222]

Could you change the Location part? I have the same issue.. Kindly let me know where I can change it..

What happened to your OWP? Were you able to change it?

 

[flash222]

My wife has got the same issue. Did you find a solution for this problem yet?

What happened to your OWP? Were you able to change it?

 

[flash222]

What happened to your OWP? Were you able to change it?

So, I got my Spousal Open Work Permit last summer. Moved to Canada in August 2016. At the immigration desk, I don't know what went on in the immigration officer's mind that he put a weird restriction as this:

Employment Location: Vancouver

At the time, I didn't pay much heed to it because I already had a job offer to work in Vancouver upon landing. I also didn't know at the time that about 3/4 of Greater Vancouver is actually not officially part of the City of Vancouver municipality, yet a large number of companies operating in Vancouver have their HQs in those non-Vancouver areas (Burnaby, Surrey, New Westminster, Richmond etc.). Incidentally, last week I ran into an immigration adviser and randomly mentioned this restriction. She said, that restriction is abnormal and unheard of (for her). Then today, I was in conversation with an employer based in Burnaby and she also said that having dealt with numerous OWP holders working for her company over the years, she has never seen an OWP with restriction of the employment location.

I am just now realising the consequences of this restriction: I cannot accept job offers from companies in Burnaby, Surrey, New Westminster, Richmond etc. Two of the employers who indicated my success after interviews have now held back their offers because I disclosed this location restriction to them. This is so frustrating.

Any suggestions?

Thanks for reading.

 

[flash222]

What happened to your OWP? Were you able to change it?