Open Work Permit

[NicJohn]

Hoping someone can answer me this question..

I have applied for sponsorship inland. I have my AOR and my sponor and I are (im)patiently waiting for AOR and my OWP..

I am currently on Implied Status. I previously had a Working Holiday Visa. The visa gives you "status" in Canada. What status does the OWP give?

My question is this: What does to OWP allow me to do? I know I can work in any field, or occupation I choose, but can I travel outside the country for a short vacation? Im from a visa exempt country.

I have heard that people have risked the inland process by taking a short vacation here and there. We do not want to do anything that can compromise our application. So just want clarification on the limitations of the OWP...


Thanks

 

[computergeek]

What status does the OWP give?

It gives you the status of a temporary foreign worker. Your work permit is not bound to a specific employer (it is "open") but is still time limited.

My question is this: What does to OWP allow me to do? I know I can work in any field, or occupation I choose, but can I travel outside the country for a short vacation? Im from a visa exempt country.

Yes, you can leave and return. The issue is one of risk tolerance: are you willing to take the chance of being refused the right to return to Canada. This won't usually happen but it can. For example, a criminal charge in a foreign country could give rise to a refusal on the grounds you are criminal inadmissible. A visa officer could refuse you on baseless grounds in which case you must then appeal the refusal.

The odds of being refused re-entry (especially on a visa-exempt passport) is remote, but not zero.

 

[NicJohn]

Thanks Computergeek,

So an OWP is basically the same as my previous Working Holiday Visa - except that it is Open for me to work with any employer.

When you recieve the OWP do you have to do anything or just attach it to your passport?

If for any reason, my PR has not come through before it expires, I can get an extension?

In regards to travel - I have no criminal history in any country, so that is not an issue. And the most that we would do is weekend trip to Vegas or Seattle (we are in Vancouver). Just have to decide if we want to add excitement to the trip about getting refused or not

 

[computergeek]

So an OWP is basically the same as my previous Working Holiday Visa - except that it is Open for me to work with any employer.

When you recieve the OWP do you have to do anything or just attach it to your passport?

It's just like any other sort of work permit.

If for any reason, my PR has not come through before it expires, I can get an extension?

Yes.

In regards to travel - I have no criminal history in any country, so that is not an issue. And the most that we would do is weekend trip to Vegas or Seattle (we are in Vancouver). Just have to decide if we want to add excitement to the trip about getting refused or not

Oddly, there are special rules about returning from the US anyway, but as I said, it's a risk tolerance issue - there is a risk, however small.

I'm in Vancouver as well.

 

[NicJohn]

Special rules from the us? You know where I can read more about that?

 

[computergeek]

Special rules from the us? You know where I can read more about that?

I don't think they apply in your specific instance, but if you review ENF 4 "Border Procedures" it discusses certain exceptions for foreign nationals traveling only to the US or St. Pierre and Miquelon requiring a visa or losing their implied status.