Does Open Work Permit app sent with Inland PR app keep me in status?

[Teekatze]

Hi

I have a few questions about the OWP for sponsored spouses and staying in status during my PR application. I'm currently living in Ontario with my husband (= my sponsor) and we'll send off my PR application next week after my upfront medical. We're applying for inland PR. I'm here on a visitor visa which expires in October.
Now, from what I read on this forum, submitting my PR application doesn't automatically keep me in status. If I submit an OWP application along with my PR application, will that keep me in status all the way until a final decision regarding PR has been reached? What if my visitor visa expires before the OWP gets approved? Will I then have implied status until a decision is reached regarding the OWP? Also, can I apply for OHIP once I get the OWP?

I hope someone can shed some light on this for me. :-[

 

[Decoy24601]

You will be on implied visitor status until the OWP is approved. The OWP lasts 2 years, so theoretically it would expire right around the time you should be expecting your PR application to finish processing.

 

[Teekatze]

Thanks, that's good to know!

And does the OWP itself expire or is it valid until a decision is reached regarding my PR?

 

[Decoy24601]

Thanks, that's good to know!

And does the OWP itself expire or is it valid until a decision is reached regarding my PR?

The OWP lasts 2 years, so it might expire a little bit before a decision is reached regarding your PR. If I remember correctly inland is taking about 2 years, so it shouldn't be too much of a difference. I don't know if it's possible to extend the OWP.

 

[Teekatze]

Ah, I see. Thank you. Do you also know whether I could apply for OHIP with the OWP? I think I read on this forum a while back that this particular work visa would not be accepted by Service Ontario to apply for health coverage, but I might be mistaken.

 

[Decoy24601]

Ah, I see. Thank you. Do you also know whether I could apply for OHIP with the OWP? I think I read on this forum a while back that this particular work visa would not be accepted by Service Ontario to apply for health coverage, but I might be mistaken.

I'm not actually sure. According to this http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/publications/ohip/ohip_eligibility.aspx you may be eligible if you work full-time, but I could be wrong. I'm in BC, so I know less about OHIP than the health care here.

There's more info here: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/ohip/ohipfaq_mn.aspx
"Open work permit holders (including those in CIC’s Post-Graduation Work Permit Program) may be eligible for Ontario health insurance coverage provided they are employed full-time for an employer in Ontario for a minimum of six months, have a valid work permit during this time, and they:

maintain their primary place of residence in Ontario; and are
physically present in Ontario for at least 153 days in any 12-month period; and are
physically present in Ontario for 153 of the first 183 days immediately after establishing residency in the province."

 

[Teekatze]

Thank you for the helpful link! It also says there:

"You may be eligible for the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) if you are included under one of the following categories:

• you have submitted an application for permanent residence in Canada, and Citizenship and Immigration Canada has confirmed that you meet the eligibility requirements to apply for permanent residence in Canada;"

So I guess I have to either find full-time work and work for six months or get my letter of approval before I can apply for health coverage - whichever comes first.

 

[Decoy24601]

Thank you for the helpful link! It also says there:

"You may be eligible for the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) if you are included under one of the following categories:

• you have submitted an application for permanent residence in Canada, and Citizenship and Immigration Canada has confirmed that you meet the eligibility requirements to apply for permanent residence in Canada;"

So I guess I have to either find full-time work and work for six months or get my letter of approval before I can apply for health coverage - whichever comes first.

Yeah, I think so. There should be a number listed on that website that you can call and ask this too. I'm also sure that sooner or later someone with more experience will come alone and give their two cents here.

 

[Ponga]

The OWP will be expire in two years or less. If the passport expires sooner, so will the OWP.

It's also important to know that if the OWP or the Inland application is returned, due to an error on your part (outdated form(s), missing signature(s), incorrect fee for the OWP [which is $255 total]), the implied status would be in jeopardy. For the added peace of mind, some people choose to extend their visitor status if their legal status will expire before they receive the OWP. It really is a personal choice, but many people do this.

 

[Teekatze]

Yes, that makes sense. (My passport is valid until 2022, so that wouldn't be a problem.)