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Open work permit at Port of entry

Martin_Alves

Newbie
Oct 27, 2024
3
0
Hello,

My Canadian wife and I live in my home country and we are together for over 2,5 yr and married for 8 months now. We are applying for spouse sponsorship. I have a student visa on my passport valid until 2029 (I lived and took one uni semester in CA, in 2019). Our plan is to move back to Canada right after we get our AOR. I would get an eTA, travel to CA and apply for OWP upon arrival at a port of entry (I have read somewhere in the IRCC website that this option is possible).

Has anybody tried for this type of OWP or has gone through a similar situation?

Thanks in advance for any replies or comments.
 

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
95,848
22,113
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
Hello,

My Canadian wife and I live in my home country and we are together for over 2,5 yr and married for 8 months now. We are applying for spouse sponsorship. I have a student visa on my passport valid until 2029 (I lived and took one uni semester in CA, in 2019). Our plan is to move back to Canada right after we get our AOR. I would get an eTA, travel to CA and apply for OWP upon arrival at a port of entry (I have read somewhere in the IRCC website that this option is possible).

Has anybody tried for this type of OWP or has gone through a similar situation?

Thanks in advance for any replies or comments.
You can't apply for the OWP at the POE. Since the OWP is through spousal sponsorship, you have to wait until you are in Canada and then submit an application online.

Getting a work permit at the POE is possible in some circumstances but not this one.
 

Martin_Alves

Newbie
Oct 27, 2024
3
0
Thank you Scylla. I just realized my question was misleading when I mentioned "port of entry", sorry. I meant we plan to enter CAN first and then (as allowed by CAN government) I intend to apply for the OWP.

Although, I'm afraid about how to explain that to the officer at the border without confusing him with a seeming double intention, since the eTA only allows me to stay temporarily in CAN, just like a TRV.
 

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
95,848
22,113
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
Thank you Scylla. I just realized my question was misleading when I mentioned "port of entry", sorry. I meant we plan to enter CAN first and then (as allowed by CAN government) I intend to apply for the OWP.

Although, I'm afraid about how to explain that to the officer at the border without confusing him with a seeming double intention, since the eTA only allows me to stay temporarily in CAN, just like a TRV.
If you have a PR application in progress you should have no issues entering.
 
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YVR123

VIP Member
Jul 27, 2017
7,412
2,885
Thank you Scylla. I just realized my question was misleading when I mentioned "port of entry", sorry. I meant we plan to enter CAN first and then (as allowed by CAN government) I intend to apply for the OWP.

Although, I'm afraid about how to explain that to the officer at the border without confusing him with a seeming double intention, since the eTA only allows me to stay temporarily in CAN, just like a TRV.
You will use your eTA to enter as a visitor and then once you are inside, apply for the OWP (with the AOR email). You remain as a visitor until the OWP is approved and then you can work while waiting for the spousal sponsorship approval.
 

armoured

VIP Member
Feb 1, 2015
17,276
8,887
You will use your eTA to enter as a visitor and then once you are inside, apply for the OWP (with the AOR email). You remain as a visitor until the OWP is approved and then you can work while waiting for the spousal sponsorship approval.
I'd just add: be aware that the wait to get the OWP may be longer than one might expect. I haven't followed closely but it is definitely taking months.
 

Edmegbc

Star Member
Oct 11, 2023
148
52
Applied April 28 in hand Sept 3 so yes it is taking a long time for OWP. The only quick ones I have seen are those that already have TR under another status. but first time OWP for family class expect 4-5 months wait.
 
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