Sponsering Spouse for PR - Can they get a work permit before PR?

[skx]

Hello,

My spouse has a visitor visa for Canada and currently works in the US.

Can they get an open work permit for Canada? before we apply for PR sponsorship for Canada? like a spousal work permit? or is PR the only way? (currently seems like 23 months time)

I would appreciate any help. Thank you.

 

[scylla]

Hello,

My spouse has a visitor visa for Canada and currently works in the US.

Can they get an open work permit for Canada? before we apply for PR sponsorship for Canada? like a spousal work permit? or is PR the only way? (currently seems like 23 months time)

I would appreciate any help. Thank you.

No, they cannot get an open work permit before you apply for spousal sponsorship.

If you sponsor your partner inland, they qualify to apply for an open work permit but that open work permit can only be submitted either together or after the spousal sponsorship application is submitted. You can't apply for the open work permit first.

Processing times for open work permit are currently around 8 month after the complete application is received (i.e. spousal sponsorship + owp). To qualify for the inland process, your spouse needs to be living with you in Canada. This route isn't option if you spouse is living outside of Canada.

 

[canuck78]

Most PRs are processed much faster than 23 months. We are seeing many being processed under a year again.

 

[skx]

No, they cannot get an open work permit before you apply for spousal sponsorship.

If you sponsor your partner inland, they qualify to apply for an open work permit but that open work permit can only be submitted either together or after the spousal sponsorship application is submitted. You can't apply for the open work permit first.

Processing times for open work permit are currently around 8 month after the complete application is received (i.e. spousal sponsorship + owp). To qualify for the inland process, your spouse needs to be living with you in Canada. This route isn't option if you spouse is living outside of Canada.

Thanks so much for responding.

 

[skx]

Most PRs are processed much faster than 23 months. We are seeing many being processed under a year again.

Thanks a bunch.