Open Work Permit based on Spousal Sponsorship

[GerardT]

Hi All,

Just need to ask some advise.

My wife and I are moving to Canada by the end of May. For this, I have applied for a visa based on a spousal sponsorship. This takes, as you all know about a year to be completed. Now, I have read about a trial program to provide a work permit earlier than this period is finished (it started in 2015 and got extended to Dec-2016). I was wondering if any of you can give me more information on this. Mainly, whether it got extended again but also what the eligible criteria for this is. I hope you can give me more information on this.

Thanks,
Gerard

 

[Emily12]

Hi, from what I know you are eligible if you apply inland as opposed to Outland and you can apply at the same time as your family sponsorship. It takes about 4 months to be processed and granted.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

My wife and I are moving to Canada by the end of May. For this, I have applied for a visa based on a spousal sponsorship. This takes, as you all know about a year to be completed. Now, I have read about a trial program to provide a work permit earlier than this period is finished

As you applied outland, you don't qualify for an OWP.

 

[GerardT]

As you applied outland, you don't qualify for an OWP.

Hi canuck_in_uk,

based on you comment, if I move to Canada first and live there with my wife (on the same address), I am eligible. Is that correct?

Gerard

 

[CDNPR2014]

Hi canuck_in_uk,

based on you comment, if I move to Canada first and live there with my wife (on the same address), I am eligible. Is that correct?

Gerard

no, physically being present in canada does not make you eligible for the OWP. The only thing that makes an applicant eligible is submitting an "inland" application. since it sounds like you already submitted your "outland" application, you are not eligible for the OWP. you will not be eligible to work until you are landed as a PR.

An application doesn't change from "outland" to "inland" just because the applicant is in canada. The only way to switch from "outland" to "inland" is to withdraw the current application and reapply from scratch. obviously this is not recommended.

 

[km9203]

Hi All,

Just need to ask some advise.

My wife and I are moving to Canada by the end of May. For this, I have applied for a visa based on a spousal sponsorship. This takes, as you all know about a year to be completed. Now, I have read about a trial program to provide a work permit earlier than this period is finished (it started in 2015 and got extended to Dec-2016). I was wondering if any of you can give me more information on this. Mainly, whether it got extended again but also what the eligible criteria for this is. I hope you can give me more information on this.

Thanks,
Gerard

Where are you from? Applying Outland is MUCH faster than Inland for some countries. Some get PR in a few months.

I applied Inland and the whole process took from July 2015 to Feb 2017. In that time I didn't go home or travel outside Canada - it is not recommended as your Inland app can be cancelled if you leave.

Unless you really need to work to help support you, I would stick with Outland.

 

[GerardT]

Where are you from? Applying Outland is MUCH faster than Inland for some countries. Some get PR in a few months.

I applied Inland and the whole process took from July 2015 to Feb 2017. In that time I didn't go home or travel outside Canada - it is not recommended as your Inland app can be cancelled if you leave.

Unless you really need to work to help support you, I would stick with Outland.

We are currently living in the UK. My wife's contract is running out in May and we are planning to make the move then. However, I only applied for my Outland visa in January 2017. So it will probably take until 2018 until I get the visa. The main question is that during the time that I'm waiting for my visa, is there any way of working in Canada. I thought the OWP based on the program would give a solution, but based on the answers this is not the case

Any solutions to this are welcome...

Gerard

 

[Jeffuk88]

If you're under 30 you could do IEC but other than that I don't think theres a visa which would give you a work permit before your outland is processed. From what I've read on here the London office is 6-8 months

 

[marrynated]

Unless you really need to work to help support you, I would stick with Outland.

Did you live in Canada? If I may ask, which visa office (country of origin) is responsible for your application?

 

[GerardT]

I never lived in Canada. Obviously my wife, being Canadian, has. We have submitted the paperwork to the Mississauga office as that was in the guidance material. Will they forward this to London, I guess?

Gerard

 

[km9203]

Did you live in Canada? If I may ask, which visa office (country of origin) is responsible for your application?

are you asking me? We applied inland so yes, I was in Canada. Mississauga processed our app and I landed in Feb 2017.

 

[Jeffuk88]

I never lived in Canada. Obviously my wife, being Canadian, has. We have submitted the paperwork to the Mississauga office as that was in the guidance material. Will they forward this to London, I guess?

Gerard

It will go to either the London or ottawa office. Ottawa is even quicker but you can't affect where it goes

 

[marrynated]

are you asking me? We applied inland so yes, I was in Canada. Mississauga processed our app and I landed in Feb 2017.

Oh wow it took almost 2 years! I am applying inland too, and I hoped it will take less than 12 months!!! ?

 

[CDNPR2014]

I am applying inland too, and I hoped it will take less than 12 months!!! ?

highly unlikely. the current "goal" is 12 months and there are 2015 applicants still waiting.

right now, only outland applications are taking less than 12 months to process. inland certainly doesn't. 16-24+ mo. is the current trend for inland.

it will be worth your while to hang out in the inland threads so you can see the spreadsheets tracking progress.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

However, I only applied for my Outland visa in January 2017. So it will probably take until 2018 until I get the visa.

It will not take until 2018. Ottawa takes about 4-6 months and London averages about 8-9 months.