HI everyone, this post mostly is targeted at Filipinos who might provide some insight..
My girlfriend left Canada from Singapore several years ago for work. She has worked in Canada for several years, is in the last stages of her TR to PR application, has an open work permit and a multiple entry visa. She had to go back to Philippines for a funeral, but it has been several months and she hasn't been allowed to leave back to Canada. She was held up at the airport and told she needs an OEC to leave. She showed them these, as many people have said they were allowed to leave without an OEC and an OWP after providing them https://www.gatewaytocanada.com/2020/12/poea-advisory-re-open-work-permits.html - they brought her to POEA office and said these aren't valid, but they are an officially advisory on DMW site. She spoke to POEA office and they said same thing. Everyone on forums she talked to said people get out all the time using these.
The issue is, all of the requirements for OEC she doesn't meet. Recruiters won't touch her because they say she has an open work permit already, she can't apply with her current job because she is considered a direct hire. They insist on an LMIA but Canada won't issue one because she has an open work permit. They insist on a contract but she doesn't need one.
Nobody at POEA seems to have any information other than "just follow the instructions". None of this makes any sense and nobody knows anything.
She spoke to POLO in Vancouver who said no problem we will get you an OEC, only to ask for her original LMIA and a new contract with her current employer to verify.. with no further instructions on if she is eligible or what to do next.
Can anybody share any insight at all who has been in a similar situation?
My girlfriend left Canada from Singapore several years ago for work. She has worked in Canada for several years, is in the last stages of her TR to PR application, has an open work permit and a multiple entry visa. She had to go back to Philippines for a funeral, but it has been several months and she hasn't been allowed to leave back to Canada. She was held up at the airport and told she needs an OEC to leave. She showed them these, as many people have said they were allowed to leave without an OEC and an OWP after providing them https://www.gatewaytocanada.com/2020/12/poea-advisory-re-open-work-permits.html - they brought her to POEA office and said these aren't valid, but they are an officially advisory on DMW site. She spoke to POEA office and they said same thing. Everyone on forums she talked to said people get out all the time using these.
The issue is, all of the requirements for OEC she doesn't meet. Recruiters won't touch her because they say she has an open work permit already, she can't apply with her current job because she is considered a direct hire. They insist on an LMIA but Canada won't issue one because she has an open work permit. They insist on a contract but she doesn't need one.
Nobody at POEA seems to have any information other than "just follow the instructions". None of this makes any sense and nobody knows anything.
She spoke to POLO in Vancouver who said no problem we will get you an OEC, only to ask for her original LMIA and a new contract with her current employer to verify.. with no further instructions on if she is eligible or what to do next.
Can anybody share any insight at all who has been in a similar situation?