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Open Work Permits not being approved even when meeting eligibility criteria

b4evergrace

Star Member
May 31, 2019
95
20
Hey guys im a little worried about my owp. Can it just be denied? I paid the $255, i sent in the application, i sent in a copy of my marriage certificate, a copy of my passport and the stamp entry, i sent in 2 photos of me taken professionally. Is there anything else i shouldve added to it? Should i have tried to get documented proof of passed job history? When i didn't hand sign the owp they didn't tell me it was missing any papers. I recieved AOR... What did yall do? Sorry im just freaking out!
 

CanUK333

Hero Member
Jun 18, 2019
282
146
United Kingdom
Category........
FAM
Hey guys im a little worried about my owp. Can it just be denied? I paid the $255, i sent in the application, i sent in a copy of my marriage certificate, a copy of my passport and the stamp entry, i sent in 2 photos of me taken professionally. Is there anything else i shouldve added to it? Should i have tried to get documented proof of passed job history? When i didn't hand sign the owp they didn't tell me it was missing any papers. I recieved AOR... What did yall do? Sorry im just freaking out!
Firstly, you are not alone. We’re all freaking out here. There are a few of us that are concerned about our OWPs as we haven’t yet received approval. I’ve heard it’s rare for the OWP to be officially rejected (you’d know because it would be sent back and with an official letter).

Most of the time if you haven’t received it within 5 months it means they think you didn’t meet the requirements for the “early” approval and they’ll wait until your PR app gets first stage approval later on. However, those who have been told this DID meet the requirements! They’ve reached out to IRCC or their MPs and we have yet to have answers as to why this has happened.

Others like me haven’t heard anything and haven’t been able to link application. When I rang IRCC they said they haven’t even opened the application yet!!!! So who knows why they haven’t even looked at it yet??!!

Sounds like you included everything you needed to so don’t worry about that. Strange they didn’t require a sig. some get theres sent back because of that. In hindsight I would’ve included a doc of proof we are living together as the 3 requirements for early OWP are: 1. Living with spouse and have an in Canada PR app in. 2. Valid status 3. Living together at same address

I would suggest you make sure you extend your visitors visa if you can. (In case they send app back because of sig and you have to resubmit) And definitely contact your local MP to look into your case. That’s the most we can do

Have you been able to link it?
 
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CanUK333

Hero Member
Jun 18, 2019
282
146
United Kingdom
Category........
FAM
They aren’t accepting any applications on workers,visit,student ....only spouse sponsorship
I believe that is what b4evergrace is referring to (the OWP application sent with spousal PR app). They are still processing the OWPs associated with the spousal PR apps as far as I know it's different than straight up work permits.
 
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scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
95,798
22,075
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
They aren’t accepting any applications on workers,visit,student ....only spouse sponsorship
Not true. IRCC is still accepting and processing applications for temporary workers, visitor visas and study permit.
 

ishyfishy

Star Member
Dec 5, 2019
52
15
Wait you had to send 2 photos with the OWP application too? I only sent 2 photos with the PR app, not separate photos for the included Owp Application
 

CanUK333

Hero Member
Jun 18, 2019
282
146
United Kingdom
Category........
FAM
Wait you had to send 2 photos with the OWP application too? I only sent 2 photos with the PR app, not separate photos for the included Owp Application
I too only submitted 2 photos as part of the PR application. I think it depends on what country the applicant is from. Hope so anyway, because yeah, I just checked what I sent for the OWP and I didn't include photos. The thing is though, that if we are missing anything we would have heard from them or the app would have been sent back with a letter saying "application can not be processed because no photos were included" or something like that. So assuming no news is good news.
 

b4evergrace

Star Member
May 31, 2019
95
20
I too only submitted 2 photos as part of the PR application. I think it depends on what country the applicant is from. Hope so anyway, because yeah, I just checked what I sent for the OWP and I didn't include photos. The thing is though, that if we are missing anything we would have heard from them or the app would have been sent back with a letter saying "application can not be processed because no photos were included" or something like that. So assuming no news is good news.
So I my whole package for PR and OWP were sent back Jan 23 and than I had to hand sign that send it back in and they got it Jan 27th. March 14th I got AOR. So I'm guessing when they sent it all back the foret time maybe they wouldve told me if I was missing papers for the OWP? I did send in 2 extra because for normal OWP you usually send in 2 photos. So I just followed that.
Some of you already have work permits, so my main concern is that.. did I need to get actual proof from past jobs in order for it to be approved? I know I wont receive a decision until mid June by the looks of it. Just knowing that they havent even opened my application for OWP so I cant link it.. really sucks. I hope everything works for you guys. That we all get approved and can stay happily with our loved ones.
 

CanUK333

Hero Member
Jun 18, 2019
282
146
United Kingdom
Category........
FAM
So I my whole package for PR and OWP were sent back Jan 23 and than I had to hand sign that send it back in and they got it Jan 27th. March 14th I got AOR. So I'm guessing when they sent it all back the foret time maybe they wouldve told me if I was missing papers for the OWP? I did send in 2 extra because for normal OWP you usually send in 2 photos. So I just followed that.
Some of you already have work permits, so my main concern is that.. did I need to get actual proof from past jobs in order for it to be approved? I know I wont receive a decision until mid June by the looks of it. Just knowing that they havent even opened my application for OWP so I cant link it.. really sucks. I hope everything works for you guys. That we all get approved and can stay happily with our loved ones.
Everyone in this thread has NOT received their OWP, that's why I created this thread so we can all be in this together and voice our concerns, heartache, and progress on the matter. For some, they have been able to link and have received word that they don't meet the requirements for early approval when they clearly do...and for others like us...they haven't even looked at it yet!

No you do not need to provide proof of past employment.

If you haven't been able to link it's because the application isn't in the system yet and they haven't even begun to process it. This is the situation i'm in. This is very VERY unusual at this point as it's been over 5 months for me.

In any case, I have and others have in this thread reached out to their MP and that's the way to go as there's nothing else you can do. Don't trust what the call centre or the web form responses tell you as they aren't properly trained to give any answers as to "why". An MP however can request more detailed information/status directly to the officer in charge of the application so that's why it's a good idea to contact them and get them to look into it. My MP said that it's so unusual that they haven't even opened mine yet that there's a good chance the application was actually lost! (OWP applications are taken out of our PR packages and sent to another office for processing). I'll update everyone here once I have word.
 

ishyfishy

Star Member
Dec 5, 2019
52
15
So I my whole package for PR and OWP were sent back Jan 23 and than I had to hand sign that send it back in and they got it Jan 27th. March 14th I got AOR. So I'm guessing when they sent it all back the foret time maybe they wouldve told me if I was missing papers for the OWP? I did send in 2 extra because for normal OWP you usually send in 2 photos. So I just followed that.
Some of you already have work permits, so my main concern is that.. did I need to get actual proof from past jobs in order for it to be approved? I know I wont receive a decision until mid June by the looks of it. Just knowing that they havent even opened my application for OWP so I cant link it.. really sucks. I hope everything works for you guys. That we all get approved and can stay happily with our loved ones.
I feel you, my application that I initially sent Dec 23 was returned January 28th. One small place where I missed my email. Don't know if when they send it back they highlight EVERYTHING wrong with the app, or just the first thing they see and boom, sent back immediately. If they highlighted everything, I'd rest assured knowing they've looked it over properly. It's stressful not knowing.

I don't think you need proof of past jobs for it to be approved, as long as you are in status (visitor, worker, whatever), and paid the correct amount, etc, you are ok.

In any case, I have and others have in this thread reached out to their MP and that's the way to go as there's nothing else you can do. Don't trust what the call centre or the web form responses tell you as they aren't properly trained to give any answers as to "why".
Agreed. Call centre said my application is in the system and gave me a temporary application file number. Webform said "we've verified your information and can confirm your information isn't in the system yet". It's a joke :confused:
 
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PrincessButtercup

Hero Member
Oct 1, 2019
441
197
Ottawa
Category........
FAM
App. Filed.......
30-10-2019
AOR Received.
24-12-2019
Med's Request
07-28-2020
Med's Done....
08-05-2020
Interview........
N/A (COVID)
Passport Req..
N/A
VISA ISSUED...
N/A
LANDED..........
09-28-2020
...My MP said that it's so unusual that they haven't even opened mine yet that there's a good chance the application was actually lost! (OWP applications are taken out of our PR packages and sent to another office for processing). I'll update everyone here once I have word.
o_O

Although at this point it might be better that it was lost instead of flat out rejected with no reasonable explanation until AIP. :D
 
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b4evergrace

Star Member
May 31, 2019
95
20
Everyone in this thread has NOT received their OWP, that's why I created this thread so we can all be in this together and voice our concerns, heartache, and progress on the matter. For some, they have been able to link and have received word that they don't meet the requirements for early approval when they clearly do...and for others like us...they haven't even looked at it yet!

No you do not need to provide proof of past employment.

If you haven't been able to link it's because the application isn't in the system yet and they haven't even begun to process it. This is the situation i'm in. This is very VERY unusual at this point as it's been over 5 months for me.

In any case, I have and others have in this thread reached out to their MP and that's the way to go as there's nothing else you can do. Don't trust what the call centre or the web form responses tell you as they aren't properly trained to give any answers as to "why". An MP however can request more detailed information/status directly to the officer in charge of the application so that's why it's a good idea to contact them and get them to look into it. My MP said that it's so unusual that they haven't even opened mine yet that there's a good chance the application was actually lost! (OWP applications are taken out of our PR packages and sent to another office for processing). I'll update everyone here once I have word.
Ya the work experience is what I was do worrying about. Thank you for the help. I'm just going to apply to extend my visitor record just incase. Thank you guys:)
 

BB802

Star Member
Nov 19, 2019
109
25
No not since March 25th was the last approval for an August applicant. There has been no more updates since then for August or September on the spreadsheet