Working in Canada - Do you need a PR Card?

[screech339]

There is no reason an inland applicant shouldn't submit an OWP app either at time of initial application, or after getting AIP.

As okie and ponga mentioned, there was no reason for my wife to apply for OWP either. We have 2 little ones at home to look after and why pay the extra $75 for it when she has no intention to work while waiting to land as PR.

Everyone has their own reasons not to apply for OWP.

 

[Applicant7]

Is it the same for getting a drivers license (G1 Ontario)? Could we go get the licence with COPR, passport and SIN number? Anyone know?

 

[Rob_TO]

Everyone has their own reasons not to apply for OWP.

Yes and its the personal choice of whoever the applicant is.

- Apply for and get OWP which will allow one to work until receiving actual PR card, or
- Don't apply for OWP, and know that you won't get full SIN or be able to work until getting PR card

The inland process is what it is, and there is an easy way to work depending on the situation. So I don't really see what the problem is. You can't compare inland to outland because the 2 processes follow very different rules.

Also depending on their status while one applies inland, isn't it the OWP app that actually gives "implied" status? If don't apply for OWP, you would then just need to waste multiple fees applying for visitor status extensions. Seems cheaper to just apply for 1 OWP upfront whether you intend to work or not, which will give status for entire stage 1 and 2 inland processing duration.

 

[Ponga]

Very true, but it's also not a consistent difference (between Service Canada offices).

The OP's question was whether or not a PR CARD was needed. Some Inlanders have gotten their SIN without presenting their card, while others have been to wait until the receive their card.

THAT'S the problem!

 

[chakrab]

Is it the same for getting a drivers license (G1 Ontario)? Could we go get the licence with COPR, passport and SIN number? Anyone know?

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/handbook/section1.5.0.shtml

 

[Rob_TO]

Very true, but it's also not a consistent difference (between Service Canada offices).

The OP's question was whether or not a PR CARD was needed. Some Inlanders have gotten their SIN without presenting their card, while others have been to wait until the receive their card.

THAT'S the problem!

Yes but since the OP is an OUTLAND applicant (per their timeline), then the easy answer is simply no, it's not needed.

 

[chakrab]

NEWSFLASH

i had completely forgotten this, but there is no SIN card any more. you only receive the receipt paper with the number. skipped my mind.

 

[screech339]

Is it the same for getting a drivers license (G1 Ontario)? Could we go get the licence with COPR, passport and SIN number? Anyone know?

Getting a G1 Ontario license has no bearing on immigration status in Canada. As long as you have a valid foreign driver's licence that is recognized under the exchange treaty between specific countries, you can do it. My wife was able to exchange her New Jersey License for G1 Licence at AIP stage. When we applied, Ontario Drivers Licences Office was not interested in what was my wife immigration status was. Just provide proof of driving history and license and away you go.

 

[Ponga]

Yes but since the OP is an OUTLAND applicant (per their timeline), then the easy answer is simply no, it's not needed.

Right you are (as usual).

I didn't know whether the OP was Inland or Outland...since I'm usually too lazy to check their timeline and all.

 

[screech339]

NEWSFLASH

i had completely forgotten this, but there is no SIN card any more. you only receive the receipt paper with the number. skipped my mind.

I remember that they was going to phase out issuing SIN cards but don't know what's the suppose timeline suppose to be. My wife was able to get her SIN card even after the announcement was made.

 

[Ponga]

Getting a G1 Ontario license has no bearing on immigration status in Canada. As long as you have a valid foreign driver's licence that is recognized under the exchange treaty between specific countries, you can do it. My wife was able to exchange her New Jersey License for G1 Licence at AIP stage. When we applied, Ontario Drivers Licences Office was not interested in what was my wife immigration status was. Just provide proof of driving history and license and away you go.

Wow. That seems very generous, since in BC you do have to present some sort of immigration status document to even exchange a DL.

 

[screech339]

Wow. That seems very generous, since in BC you do have to present some sort of immigration status document to even exchange a DL.

I know, I was surprised by it when we went to apply to exchange drivers licence for my wife. Had I known this, we would have applied shortly after we move back to Canada.

 

[chakrab]

I remember that they was going to phase out issuing SIN cards but don't know what's the suppose timeline suppose to be. My wife was able to get her SIN card even after the announcement was made.

since april 2014. they don't seem to issue SIN cards here any more, but you can keep the old one.

 

[screech339]

since april 2014. they don't seem to issue SIN cards here any more, but you can keep the old one.

All the more reason to never carry your SIN card with you. Keep it in a safe place. Once you lost / misplaced it, it's gone forever. Card won't get replaced.

 

[screech339]

Also depending on their status while one applies inland, isn't it the OWP app that actually gives "implied" status? If don't apply for OWP, you would then just need to waste multiple fees applying for visitor status extensions. Seems cheaper to just apply for 1 OWP upfront whether you intend to work or not, which will give status for entire stage 1 and 2 inland processing duration.

Actually, any visa extensions, whether its be OWP, visitor, study, give "implied status". The "implied status" only applies to period after the visa expire date to the time a decision is made, assuming that CIC received the extension application before expired date.