Work Permit for my US Citizen husband

[Canadian8675309]

Yes, just that would be the earliest time when he could bring his stuff in, so could be done at same time as landing. A question of preference.

Okay so then what are the differences between a virtual and physical landing? Just the one is he's already here when he gets his PR card and the latter would be he is out of the country? If he's just here for an "extended" visit I suppose it would make sense not to change his address. Would this make any other difference to anything?
Thanks again for your help

 

[armoured]

Okay so then what are the differences between a virtual and physical landing? Just the one is he's already here when he gets his PR card and the latter would be he is out of the country? If he's just here for an "extended" visit I suppose it would make sense not to change his address. Would this make any other difference to anything?
Thanks again for your help

Yes, virtual is for in-country, physical for when out of country.

Each have their own delays and disadvantages/advantages. Physical: has to be sent in to visa application centre, delays (I understand) typically 2-4 weeks. Virtual: online but must be in country (or can return). I think typically not that much longer than physical BUT if IRCC thinks the applicant is out of country and you have to request virtual, the timeline gets unpredictable. YMMV.

In your/his case, as a US citizen, not perhaps a big deal - if he gets invitation to virtual, he can just come to Canada (and leave and depart as necessary). One caveat is an issue if he gets the 'you are now a PR' when out of country, becomes unclear when the applicant became a PR.

But otherwise with a US passport, he can come and go and doesn't have to wait for a visa, or even send in the passport. He can have it returned to US address, go down and get the docs, and return the next day. If he's close to border on both sides, maybe that's easier. But I can't say for sure.

I'm reluctant to say which is better though becuase it's hard to keep track of actual timelines/there's some randomness.

Probably only solid advice I can give is 'pick a lane.' Change address now (when he next comes to Canada) or not, stick with it. IRCc change-of-address system seems inconsistent.

 

[Canadian8675309]

Yes, virtual is for in-country, physical for when out of country.

Each have their own delays and disadvantages/advantages. Physical: has to be sent in to visa application centre, delays (I understand) typically 2-4 weeks. Virtual: online but must be in country (or can return). I think typically not that much longer than physical BUT if IRCC thinks the applicant is out of country and you have to request virtual, the timeline gets unpredictable. YMMV.

In your/his case, as a US citizen, not perhaps a big deal - if he gets invitation to virtual, he can just come to Canada (and leave and depart as necessary). One caveat is an issue if he gets the 'you are now a PR' when out of country, becomes unclear when the applicant became a PR.

But otherwise with a US passport, he can come and go and doesn't have to wait for a visa, or even send in the passport. He can have it returned to US address, go down and get the docs, and return the next day. If he's close to border on both sides, maybe that's easier. But I can't say for sure.

I'm reluctant to say which is better though becuase it's hard to keep track of actual timelines/there's some randomness.

Probably only solid advice I can give is 'pick a lane.' Change address now (when he next comes to Canada) or not, stick with it. IRCc change-of-address system seems inconsistent.

Okay, all that back and forth sounds like it could get costly and time consuming lol When it comes to the OWP obviously he will have to use my address as his temporary residence to show that he's in the country? Will that affect anything in terms of the spousal application?

 

[armoured]

Okay, all that back and forth sounds like it could get costly and time consuming lol When it comes to the OWP obviously he will have to use my address as his temporary residence to show that he's in the country? Will that affect anything in terms of the spousal application?

Well it depends what his plans are etc. If he's mostly/entirely going to stay in Canada - change the address to Canada and plan for the virtual landing. Up to you.

OWP: yes, for the OWP, in-country address. Won't affect anything. I understand it can take a while, and for US citizens, he may get PR status before the OWP comes through. No way to know how long each takes though.

 

[Canadian8675309]

Well it depends what his plans are etc. If he's mostly/entirely going to stay in Canada - change the address to Canada and plan for the virtual landing. Up to you.

OWP: yes, for the OWP, in-country address. Won't affect anything. I understand it can take a while, and for US citizens, he may get PR status before the OWP comes through. No way to know how long each takes though.

I've read 'anywhere from 1-3 months' and also read '3-4 months on average' for the work permit processing. I'm still a little unclear what all he will need for the OWP application. I don't think he'll need a medical, but, if he has to submit biometrics as a requirement, he just did that a couple of months ago, will he have to do it again or can he use the same submission? I'm just uncertain what information will all need to be submitted. Will it be all the same paperwork basically being resubmitted as what he had to submit for the PR? Would it make any difference if he had a job offer?

 

[armoured]

I've read 'anywhere from 1-3 months' and also read '3-4 months on average' for the work permit processing. I'm still a little unclear what all he will need for the OWP application. I don't think he'll need a medical, but, if he has to submit biometrics as a requirement, he just did that a couple of months ago, will he have to do it again or can he use the same submission? I'm just uncertain what information will all need to be submitted. Will it be all the same paperwork basically being resubmitted as what he had to submit for the PR? Would it make any difference if he had a job offer?

I think the OWP is pure paperwork, with no other requirements (no further medical or biometric beyond the spousal PR ones). And the fee.

I think just read the instructions, there's no particular surprises - just that processing time varies.

 

[Canadian8675309]

I think the OWP is pure paperwork, with no other requirements (no further medical or biometric beyond the spousal PR ones). And the fee.

I think just read the instructions, there's no particular surprises - just that processing time varies.

Okay, that is what I'm understanding from the instructions as well. There is so much information on the IRCC website instructions page for OWPs that I think is just not applicable to our particular circumstance and that is where I am getting confused.

 

[armoured]

Okay, that is what I'm understanding from the instructions as well. There is so much information on the IRCC website instructions page for OWPs that I think is just not applicable to our particular circumstance and that is where I am getting confused.

I'd suggest you start following/looking in at the family sponsorship forum, which is the most on-topic forum here for spousals sponsorships. It will have some info based on actual applications, and stuff I personally don't follow:
https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/forums/family-class-sponsorship.5/

I think there are separate threads about the OWPs as well as for particular months filed and some 'tracker' spreadsheets that may give some overall sense of timelines. Even if they can be somewhat variable, still, most files (not quebec) get done in less than 12 months I think.

 

[Canadian8675309]

I'd suggest you start following/looking in at the family sponsorship forum, which is the most on-topic forum here for spousals sponsorships. It will have some info based on actual applications, and stuff I personally don't follow:
https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/forums/family-class-sponsorship.5/

I think there are separate threads about the OWPs as well as for particular months filed and some 'tracker' spreadsheets that may give some overall sense of timelines. Even if they can be somewhat variable, still, most files (not quebec) get done in less than 12 months I think.counti

I have been reading through some of this area of the forum. It seems like the information I am finding is most often people who are living as dependants in Canada with inland spousal applications in and are from non-visa exempt countries which from what I understand does make a difference in the processing of these things. If he would have to wait 6 months or more for a work permit to go through, it's not plausible for him to be here without making any income. When the PR comes through, he would still need to apply for an OWP, correct?

Thanks again. I will continue reading through the area you suggested.

 

[armoured]

I have been reading through some of this area of the forum. It seems like the information I am finding is most often people who are living as dependants in Canada with inland spousal applications in and are from non-visa exempt countries which from what I understand does make a difference in the processing of these things. If he would have to wait 6 months or more for a work permit to go through, it's not plausible for him to be here without making any income. When the PR comes through, he would still need to apply for an OWP, correct?

Thanks again. I will continue reading through the area you suggested.

I can't give any more specific comment on timeline than to say that generally US citizens (and eg UK/AU/NZ but also NATO/EU to varying degrees) have the process go quicker, mainly because info-sharing (criminality/security) cooperation quicker and easier. That's for the PR status, I don't know about the OWP timelines.

The right to work is inherent for a PR, they can start work right away (and as such can't get an OWP). (They have to get a SIN but that's an administrative step that's usually done on the spot - or if they've been working on another work status, update the SIN - in both cases they don't have to get the SIN first but employers often want to see it)

 

[Canadian8675309]

I can't give any more specific comment on timeline than to say that generally US citizens (and eg UK/AU/NZ but also NATO/EU to varying degrees) have the process go quicker, mainly because info-sharing (criminality/security) cooperation quicker and easier. That's for the PR status, I don't know about the OWP timelines.

The right to work is inherent for a PR, they can start work right away (and as such can't get an OWP). (They have to get a SIN but that's an administrative step that's usually done on the spot - or if they've been working on another work status, update the SIN - in both cases they don't have to get the SIN first but employers often want to see it)

Well he got an email from immigration today saying: 'The processing of your application for permanent residence in Canada is almost complete.' and are asking for him to send in photos and a photocopy of his passport as well as a prepaid return label and envelope. Maybe we won't have to even worry about the OWP, depending on how long this next step takes... this is the final step before him actually coming here, right?! *fingers crossed*

 

[armoured]

Well he got an email from immigration today saying: 'The processing of your application for permanent residence in Canada is almost complete.' and are asking for him to send in photos and a photocopy of his passport as well as a prepaid return label and envelope. Maybe we won't have to even worry about the OWP, depending on how long this next step takes... this is the final step before him actually coming here, right?! *fingers crossed*

That would seem to be it. How long ago did you apply?

 

[armoured]

And congratulations!

 

[YVR123]

Well he got an email from immigration today saying: 'The processing of your application for permanent residence in Canada is almost complete.' and are asking for him to send in photos and a photocopy of his passport as well as a prepaid return label and envelope. Maybe we won't have to even worry about the OWP, depending on how long this next step takes... this is the final step before him actually coming here, right?! *fingers crossed*

Looks like it's close to getting the COPR. If so, he can just land with that and bring everything along.
Congrats!

 

[Canadian8675309]

That would seem to be it. How long ago did you apply?

The offical submitted date on the AOR said Nov 30/24. When he was asked for biometrics, medical & extra paperwork, he did submit everything very quickly, which probably helps.