Spouse Open Work permit

[Pooja_Kri]

You are most welcome. 2 weeks - that is fast, irrespective of visa office.

You shouldn't be worried if there is ample time in commencement of your degree program. Likely they would process both together. Only reach out once your average WP processing time is passed as well.

Ok. My course starts in June. I do have sufficient time. However, I applied early so that I have ample preparation time. This includes 3 months of notice period from my current organization. I am primarily worried because of three things:
1. For both, me and my husband, the forms did not validate properly. We filled it all properly and then clicked validate, something happened to the form after that but there were no bar codes. We used Macbook. Now, after submitting the form I am getting to read about bar codes all over the internet
2. I did not write any SOP, justifying my choice of study or anything for that matter. Just because no where it was mentioned when we filled the online form. We have submitted a detailed SOP for my husband though. It was mandatory for his open work permit.
3. We were in Express entry pool but our application has expired now. Can it cause a problem?

Regards,
Pooja

 

[fkl]

Ok. My course starts in June. I do have sufficient time. However, I applied early so that I have ample preparation time. This includes 3 months of notice period from my current organization. I am primarily worried because of three things:
1. For both, me and my husband, the forms did not validate properly. We filled it all properly and then clicked validate, something happened to the form after that but there were no bar codes. We used Macbook. Now, after submitting the form I am getting to read about bar codes all over the internet
2. I did not write any SOP, justifying my choice of study or anything for that matter. Just because no where it was mentioned when we filled the online form. We have submitted a detailed SOP for my husband though. It was mandatory for his open work permit.
3. We were in Express entry pool but our application has expired now. Can it cause a problem?

Regards,
Pooja

1. You should send a CSE asking CIC to check your file. I am not sure about validation any more. I don't think there is any such thing in online application (i don't remember having to worry about any bar codes - ever), but i could be wrong. Case specific inquiry should be the way.

2. I always wonder why students write SOP for visa applications. SOPs are mainly for admission to academic study programs. Visa / work permit applications give you extra letter option to explain any thing on your application which is not covered otherwise and is important towards making your case. Many people don't submit ANY SOPs and get through.

3. That's not an issue.

 

[Ahora]

Yes since your NOC group is A, (because of second digit being 1 in NOC code), your dependents are eligible. You could have applied together as well.

Though you are narrow on dependent age limit. I am not sure if its 18 or 21. But you have to look that up on cic website.

Thanks for your answer , Is there any prons and cons to apply for all family or alone for my work permit visa?

 

[Pooja_Kri]

1. You should send a CSE asking CIC to check your file. I am not sure about validation any more. I don't think there is any such thing in online application (i don't remember having to worry about any bar codes - ever), but i could be wrong. Case specific inquiry should be the way.

2. I always wonder why students write SOP for visa applications. SOPs are mainly for admission to academic study programs. Visa / work permit applications give you extra letter option to explain any thing on your application which is not covered otherwise and is important towards making your case. Many people don't submit ANY SOPs and get through.

3. That's not an issue.

Thanks flk for the super quick response.
Per what I have read so far, barcodes appear after you click on validate and you have filled in all the required sections without making some obvious mistakes.
I had raised a CSE last week. No reply. Will do it once more.

Best wishes,
Pooja

 

[fkl]

Thanks flk for the super quick response.
Per what I have read so far, barcodes appear after you click on validate and you have filled in all the required sections without making some obvious mistakes.
I had raised a CSE last week. No reply. Will do it once more.

Best wishes,
Pooja

If you raise a CSE already, then please wait - at least until a month. They would respond once its looked at. Too many CSEs for the same might result in them ignoring your file altogether.

 

[Pooja_Kri]

If you raise a CSE already, then please wait - at least until a month. They would respond once its looked at. Too many CSEs for the same might result in them ignoring your file altogether.

Makes sense, fkl. Thank you.

 

[Pooja_Kri]

Makes sense, fkl. Thank you.

Hi fkl,

We got the passport submission request today, for both my husband and me. Hoping for the best. Fingers crossed! Thanks a lot for the support.

Regards,
Pooja

 

[keyur sharma]

SOWP applied online on 12th October 2016.
SPOUSE is in india
Medical request:- 25th November 2016
Medical done:- 2nd December 2016
Submitted:- 3rd December 2016.

I am worried because it was rejected 3 times. I just have one question. Medical request means my file is in positive way??

 

[veritas]

Hi FKL,

Can you please tell me the requirements for entering canada with a W-1 worker visa (SOWP)?

CIC website vaguely mentions supporting documents, insurance, and POF. SO I have kept my letter of introduction, spouse's university acceptance letter, UHIP coverage email from university stating that international student's spouse has to apply for UHIP within 30 days of arrival (i have no health insurance when i enter canada), and have kept my spouse's canadian bank statements which have a balance of around 17K plus CAD on 15th november, and my spouse's passport copy.

would this be enough? would really appreciate a quick response

 

[fkl]

Hi FKL,

Can you please tell me the requirements for entering canada with a W-1 worker visa (SOWP)?

CIC website vaguely mentions supporting documents, insurance, and POF. SO I have kept my letter of introduction, spouse's university acceptance letter, UHIP coverage email from university stating that international student's spouse has to apply for UHIP within 30 days of arrival (i have no health insurance when i enter canada), and have kept my spouse's canadian bank statements which have a balance of around 17K plus CAD on 15th november, and my spouse's passport copy.

would this be enough? would really appreciate a quick response

This should be more than enough. If you want to be extra cautious, a couple more things i could mention (which helps if things go wrong, not normally needed)

a) Proof of relationship (if you are not coming together), one formal document (e.g. marriage certificate) and one informal chat / email / interaction evidence of some sort.
b) Updated status of spouse satisfactory academic progress at the university after landing here. They know the admission went well, but how are things recently i.e. if he/she continues to do well at his/her studies rather than actually leaving out the program and doing some thing...
c) Contact info - address where you would go and your spouse's phone number etc. People have been in situations where they were asked to call and get CBSA to talk to them. Unlikely but its weird if they ask for this and you dont have that info.


I would strongly advise against landing without insurance (nothing related to CBSA, but plain other reasons) . I have been bitten by it, so take my word and buy before landing. Its not okay, even if you plan to buy it with in the first few days. If you buy upfront, it would be effective once you boarded the airplane to Canada. But if you buy after landing here, there would be a waiting period of a few days, during which you wont be covered if things happen. After 5 or more days of landing, many providers would outright refuse to offer any insurance.

Try following website. You can customize the type of insurance needed and chose a cheaper one.
https://arbetovinsurance.com/

 

[veritas]

This should be more than enough. If you want to be extra cautious, a couple more things i could mention (which helps if things go wrong, not normally needed)

a) Proof of relationship (if you are not coming together), one formal document (e.g. marriage certificate) and one informal chat / email / interaction evidence of some sort.
b) Updated status of spouse satisfactory academic progress at the university after landing here. They know the admission went well, but how are things recently i.e. if he/she continues to do well at his/her studies rather than actually leaving out the program and doing some thing...
c) Contact info - address where you would go and your spouse's phone number etc. People have been in situations where they were asked to call and get CBSA to talk to them. Unlikely but its weird if they ask for this and you dont have that info.


I would strongly advise against landing without insurance (nothing related to CBSA, but plain other reasons) . I have been bitten by it, so take my word and buy before landing. Its not okay, even if you plan to buy it with in the first few days. If you buy upfront, it would be effective once you boarded the airplane to Canada. But if you buy after landing here, there would be a waiting period of a few days, during which you wont be covered if things happen. After 5 or more days of landing, many providers would outright refuse to offer any insurance.

Try following website. You can customize the type of insurance needed and chose a cheaper one.
https://arbetovinsurance.com/

Thanks a lot fkl!

Will I need to pay anything to get my work permit? I read on the CIC website about payment being required for some work visa types. Is it required for SOWP worker visa or did I pay it already when I applied for SOWP?

 

[fkl]

Thanks a lot fkl!

Will I need to pay anything to get my work permit? I read on the CIC website about payment being required for some work visa types. Is it required for SOWP worker visa or did I pay it already when I applied for SOWP?

You are most welcome. Since you applied in home country and were approved SOWP there, your fee is paid as part of that and you wont be paying any thing.

If you are applying at the border for the first time for any kind of WP (usually only when one belongs to a visa exempt country), you pay the same fee 150 CAD (unless they changed). In case the work permit is LMIA exempt, there might be an employer compliance fee of 250 ish which needs to be paid in advance for that scenario.

 

[Shezzy]

Hi all!

This thread is awesome learnt a lot from here.. Thank you everyone.. I am an international student

Here are my details for SOWP :

Applied: 3rd August
Meds req: 18th October
Meds Done: 4th November
Confirmation email : 7th December

Applied from Pakistan, visa office Abu dhabi
Any specific questiuons please feel free to ask.

Thanks again you guys are awesome!!!

 

[renesa05]

Does anyone know after getting SOWP if one needs to get a Labor card from their country? I was told the home country's immigration officer might look for it.

 

[Unsung]

Does anyone know after getting SOWP if one needs to get a Labor card from their country? I was told the home country's immigration officer might look for it.

Not that I have heard of, my wife just landed here, she wasn't asked anything like that.