Help please: SCLPC Open Work Permit application rejected

[DaiWelsh]

Hi all,

My wife is Canadian citizen and I am applying outland (we are in UK currently, but will arrive in Canada end of September) as her spouse. Following explanation here:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/updates/2014/2014-12-22.asp

we submitted an application for Open Work Permit (IMM1295 and associated docs) with my PR application as per

"New SCLPC applicants should complete a permanent residence application and an open work permit applications, include the appropriate fees, and submit both simultaneously to the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga."

from the above URL. However we have just received the OWP application (only) back with a generic covering letter stating "We are unable to process your request as submitted". I assume the fee has not been returned though I have not checked.

Does anyone know why this is - from the above URL Mississauga seems to be the correct place to send it, yet the letter implies they do not handle the OWP application? Have I misunderstood? Is the program update out of date? What should I do next - we have no UCI or similar as presumably the PR app has not yet reached that stage so I am not even sure how we would tie the OWP app back to the PR app if we did figure out what was wrong? I don't want to wait until the PR app is partially or fully processed before re-submitting the OWP app unless absolutely necessary.

Thanks in anticipation of any help, stress level climbing

Dai

 

[MilesAway]

Open work permits are only available for inland applications. That is why it was rejected.

 

[Rob_TO]

Ya from the link you posted:
One Year Pilot – Issuance of open work permits to applicants for permanent residence under the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class

Inland only.
There is no OWP associated at all with an outland app. You must wait until you get PR status until you can work (or apply separately for some other IEC/working holiday work visa, or find an employer willing to go through LMIA process to get a closed work permit).

 

[Aquakitty]

DaiWelsh, I find it quite understandable that you made this mistake. I don't know why CIC makes the two applications so unclear, why can't they just provide simple FAQ with the rules not unlike what Leo wrote in that sticky thread. It would probably reduce the amount of time they spend on incorrect applications.

There must be some legal reason they don't reveal the differences between inland and outland clearly.

 

[DanSlh]

Yep, an honest mistake.
CIC is very unclear about everything.
Maybe this way then can take more money from people, who knows.

 

[DaiWelsh]

Thanks all, I feel stupid, having re-read some of the links with the benefit of hindsight I can see the subtle clues, but it obviously fooled me first time through. I was sure I saw someone saying that it was *not* just inland applications but I can't find the link now so I may be confusing it with something else (so much paperwork!).

So next question, is there any chance I am going to be able to get back the fees I paid for the OWP application and if so how? I am expecting disappointment....

 

[canuck_in_uk]

So next question, is there any chance I am going to be able to get back the fees I paid for the OWP application and if so how? I am expecting disappointment....

Yes, you will most definitely get the money back.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=619&t=4

 

[DaiWelsh]

Thanks, most helpful as always