Open Work Permits not being approved even when meeting eligibility criteria
- Thread starter CanUK333
- Start date
caipsnotes
Champion Member
Normally CAIPS / GCMS files take a month as said earlier but IRCC is frequently delaying the process and it's not related to COVID-19. Recently the government of Canada launched an investigation into such delays. It's best to order as soon as it makes sense.
https://www.oic-ci.gc.ca/en/resources/news-releases/information-commissioner-initiates-systemic-investigation-department
https://www.oic-ci.gc.ca/en/resources/news-releases/information-commissioner-initiates-systemic-investigation-department
Just wanted to give an update on the status of my OWP inquiry with my MP:
April 21: I emailed MP, explaining my OWP situation and requesting assistance.
April 23: MP's office asked me to sign a consent form for IRCC to discuss my records with them.
April 27: MP's office wrote me back, saying she discussed my case with the MP/IRCC and IRCC came back and told them that on March 3rd they requested that I submit a new Schedule A (part of PR paperwork; IMM 5669e Background Declaration form). As if that was the cause of any delay. And that if I wanted to submit any backup supporting my case, I could attach it to my email and it would be forwarded on (presumably to IRCC).
On March 3rd I did receive a request for a new Schedule A. On March 5th I uploaded and resubmitted it via my GC Key. In GC Key it says that the form was "Uploaded" and a "Replacement Provided." IRCC has the new Schedule A, and they have had it since March 5th.
In response, I took screenshots of my GC Key web pages that show the Schedule A was Uploaded and Replacement Provided. I made a Word document of the screen shots and PDF'd that. Then I also included the Privacy Act document that shows my October 22, 2019 entry into Canada, to prove my status was legal.
April 29: MP's office writes back to say that my supporting documents have been attached to my file "for the agent's consideration,"and that they (the agent or IRCC) will be in touch with me directly.
To me it seems like the inquiry is back with IRCC and that the MP's office is removing themselves? I guess I'll just wait to see what IRCC says, if anything. Does anyone have any thoughts or think differently about what the MP's office last wrote?
I will say that I feel I'm fortunate to be dealing with an MP that was responsive.
April 21: I emailed MP, explaining my OWP situation and requesting assistance.
April 23: MP's office asked me to sign a consent form for IRCC to discuss my records with them.
April 27: MP's office wrote me back, saying she discussed my case with the MP/IRCC and IRCC came back and told them that on March 3rd they requested that I submit a new Schedule A (part of PR paperwork; IMM 5669e Background Declaration form). As if that was the cause of any delay. And that if I wanted to submit any backup supporting my case, I could attach it to my email and it would be forwarded on (presumably to IRCC).
On March 3rd I did receive a request for a new Schedule A. On March 5th I uploaded and resubmitted it via my GC Key. In GC Key it says that the form was "Uploaded" and a "Replacement Provided." IRCC has the new Schedule A, and they have had it since March 5th.
In response, I took screenshots of my GC Key web pages that show the Schedule A was Uploaded and Replacement Provided. I made a Word document of the screen shots and PDF'd that. Then I also included the Privacy Act document that shows my October 22, 2019 entry into Canada, to prove my status was legal.
April 29: MP's office writes back to say that my supporting documents have been attached to my file "for the agent's consideration,"and that they (the agent or IRCC) will be in touch with me directly.
To me it seems like the inquiry is back with IRCC and that the MP's office is removing themselves? I guess I'll just wait to see what IRCC says, if anything. Does anyone have any thoughts or think differently about what the MP's office last wrote?
I will say that I feel I'm fortunate to be dealing with an MP that was responsive.
Last edited:
I think it’s promising if you get to be in contact directly with your case officer! I’m sure your MP would assist you again if you don’t get any further with IRCC. Ill cross my fingers for you
I was just thinking.....why did they want a new Schedule A? Did they give an explanation as to why they wanted you to submit a new one? And what does the Schedule A have to do with the work permit application? hmmmm
Hi everyone, just wanted to let you know about my latest communication with IRCC regarding my OWP.
So far this is my timeline:
09-12-2019:Application for PR and OWP received by CIC.
06-02-2020: AOR
07-04-2020:My husband submitted a webform requesting information on the status of my OWP application.
08-04-2020: agent responded that after reviewing my application it was determined I don’t meet certain criteria to get my OWP before we are approved in principle, list of criteria was provided.
08-04-2020: After reviewing the list of criteria provided, my husband submitted a 2nd form providing proof that I met all the requirements at the moment we submitted our application and asking feedback on which specific criteria IRCC considered I didn’t meet.
14-04-2020: agent responded they couldn’t provide that information to my husband, because it was my file.
14-04-2020: I re-submitted the same enquiry on my own behalf.
17-04-2020: agent responded the information I provided was forwarded to the agent reviewing my case. Still didn’t explain what criteria I didn’t meet.
So, on 22-04-2020, I called IRCC by phone asked to the agent what criteria I didn’t meet. Agent said, quote: “I’m looking at your application in the system right now, and I can’t see any notes on it, or any information stating you don’t meet the eligibility criteria. Who told you that?”. I was completely lost. I can tell the agent at the phone wanted to help me, she even asked me to read aloud the exact content of the email I received from IRCC in response to the first web form we submitted, the one stating I don't meet the eligibility criteria. She said several time she didn't know what to tell me, and that she couldn't see anything about it in my file. She asked me if I could log in in my online account and check if I could see anything! I told her I was looking into my OWP application in my account and asked her if I should see something different. Truth is I could notice she wasn't sure, and I don't know if people responding web forms have access to some system agents at the phone doesn't.
So yesterday, I submitted anooooother web form, I attached prove of my previous communication. All the emails I got from IRCC about my application, and I explained what the agent at the phone told me. Again, I requested more information on what specific criteria I did not meet in the first place. I got a response 4 minutes after!! Literally 4 minutes after submitting the web form. I can tell the agent didn't read the information I provided, it is just impossible, it was like receiving an automated email! But yet, it was still signed by a different agent, din't answer to any of my questions and it was just a generic email:
Good day ___________________,
Thank you for contacting Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Due to the ongoing situation related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), some IRCC offices are currently operating with reduced or critical staff only.
We are working on processing applications as quickly as possible; however, processing times are affected and any disruptions caused by COVID-19 may not be reflected accurately on our website. We will make all the necessary efforts to finalize your application as soon as possible.
Rest assured that you will be informed as soon as a decision is reached or if additional information is needed.
We hope the information provided is helpful in assisting you with your enquiry.
We would also like to suggest the following online services that might be helpful to you with any immigration, refugee and/or citizenship future requests:
Courtney, agent 4201
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
I don't know what to do! Should I resend the same web form and wait to see if it's processed by a different agent?
So far this is my timeline:
09-12-2019:Application for PR and OWP received by CIC.
06-02-2020: AOR
07-04-2020:My husband submitted a webform requesting information on the status of my OWP application.
08-04-2020: agent responded that after reviewing my application it was determined I don’t meet certain criteria to get my OWP before we are approved in principle, list of criteria was provided.
08-04-2020: After reviewing the list of criteria provided, my husband submitted a 2nd form providing proof that I met all the requirements at the moment we submitted our application and asking feedback on which specific criteria IRCC considered I didn’t meet.
14-04-2020: agent responded they couldn’t provide that information to my husband, because it was my file.
14-04-2020: I re-submitted the same enquiry on my own behalf.
17-04-2020: agent responded the information I provided was forwarded to the agent reviewing my case. Still didn’t explain what criteria I didn’t meet.
So, on 22-04-2020, I called IRCC by phone asked to the agent what criteria I didn’t meet. Agent said, quote: “I’m looking at your application in the system right now, and I can’t see any notes on it, or any information stating you don’t meet the eligibility criteria. Who told you that?”. I was completely lost. I can tell the agent at the phone wanted to help me, she even asked me to read aloud the exact content of the email I received from IRCC in response to the first web form we submitted, the one stating I don't meet the eligibility criteria. She said several time she didn't know what to tell me, and that she couldn't see anything about it in my file. She asked me if I could log in in my online account and check if I could see anything! I told her I was looking into my OWP application in my account and asked her if I should see something different. Truth is I could notice she wasn't sure, and I don't know if people responding web forms have access to some system agents at the phone doesn't.
So yesterday, I submitted anooooother web form, I attached prove of my previous communication. All the emails I got from IRCC about my application, and I explained what the agent at the phone told me. Again, I requested more information on what specific criteria I did not meet in the first place. I got a response 4 minutes after!! Literally 4 minutes after submitting the web form. I can tell the agent didn't read the information I provided, it is just impossible, it was like receiving an automated email! But yet, it was still signed by a different agent, din't answer to any of my questions and it was just a generic email:
Good day ___________________,
Thank you for contacting Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Due to the ongoing situation related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), some IRCC offices are currently operating with reduced or critical staff only.
We are working on processing applications as quickly as possible; however, processing times are affected and any disruptions caused by COVID-19 may not be reflected accurately on our website. We will make all the necessary efforts to finalize your application as soon as possible.
Rest assured that you will be informed as soon as a decision is reached or if additional information is needed.
We hope the information provided is helpful in assisting you with your enquiry.
We would also like to suggest the following online services that might be helpful to you with any immigration, refugee and/or citizenship future requests:
- Download application forms and guides
- Change of address
- Check your application status
- Help Centre - To find answers, you may consult the different sections or type keywords related to your question.
Courtney, agent 4201
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
I don't know what to do! Should I resend the same web form and wait to see if it's processed by a different agent?
I requested our gcsm notes for both my OWP and my PR application 3 weeks ago, still no response.
It'll take a bit longer due to covid delays. But VERY curious as to what your notes are going to say about the OWP!
Both the web form agents and the call centre agents can only see the "black & white" notes on our file and are trained to give general advice...basically cut & paste answers. I have been told by a number of the most experienced forum members that these agents are NOT trained to answer specific questions about our cases or immigration rules. They are making up assumptions so we are to treat their responses with a grain of salt. Like i've mentioned before on here, EVERY time I ring or send a web form I get a completely different and sometimes bizzare (like your agent is on holiday) answer.
The only thing that can help you is to contact your MP and explain the situation and have them look into it on your behalf.
A few of us have done that and apart from one person (who contacted their MP and the next day got their OWP) we have yet to get an answer to this puzzling situation but I am hopeful as the MP has access to an IRCC rep that can communicate directly with the office processing our app (everyone else can only access what's on the computer file). Keep checking back here as we will update everyone on the communications with IRCC and the MPs involvement.
I understand what you say, and I know this by myself. But isn't weird that agent told me, in response to my webform, that I didn't meet the eligibility criteria? I'm a December applicant, they are still processing OWP applications for Dec applicants. I'm Dec 9th and they are currently responding OWP applications from Dec 4th, so natural answer in my case would have been "we haven't still reach the date you applied on, we are doing our best, blah blah blah". Instead they responded "You didn't meet the eligibility criteria".... someone had to read that somewhere. I can tell you for sure the agent at the phone checked, she put me on hold to do it, she was at the phone with me for more than 20 minutes, she even offered to look into my PR application and her final answer wasn't a ridiculous one, but an honest "I don't know, I can't see that information on your file, I wish I could answer your question"... so for the first time I trust an agent on the phone, as she didn't try to give me any fake explanation :/
I think just like any other call centre or customer service department, they have a script that they go on and the "No OWP yet" script must be the "not met criteria" answer. Yes it is weird. But it's what a lot of people have been told when it's wrong. In fact, I was told it on a web form when my application wasn't even in the system yet!!!! In other words, they told me I didn't meet the criteria when no one had even looked at it yet!!! It's very strange. Hopefully with all of our MPs looking into these cases it may raise some red flags in the system.
So they told you that you didn't meet the criteria and after that they told you your application wasn't in the system yet??? OMG!!
Yup. Along with numerous weird answers from call centre agents like "your application was lost" "Your agent was on holiday" "They are prioritizing your PR instead so it can be approved sooner" "It's not in the system" to now "It's because of Covid"
I've had the "processing background check" message since December. No change. At this point, I think I'll follow your suggestion and order GCMS Notes. Just feels like our application has fallen behind a desk somewhere. I know we're still within the 12-month timeframe, but a lot of August applicants finished the whole process last month, while they haven't even updated "Medicals passed" for us.
No explanation from IRCC, but I figured out/assumed it was because I had submitted an outdated version of the Schedule A (which my PR checklist PDF had linked me directly to). It *is* the form where you have to list all of your employment history for the last 10 years, so I suppose it has a loose connection to the OWP application, but it is technically part of the PR packet.