CIC News CIC NEWS

Canada Immigration Newsletter

CIC News / 2015 / June / Spouses Awaiting Immigration to Canada take Advantage of Open Work Permit Pilot Program

Spouses Awaiting Immigration to Canada take Advantage of Open Work Permit Pilot Program

by

In December of last year, CICnews.com reported that Canada was piloting a new program whereby certain spouses and common-law partners of Canadian citizens and permanent residents in the Spouses or Common-Law Partners in Canada Class (SCLPC) could obtain open work permits while their application for permanent residence through the inland sponsorship category of the SCLPC is undergoing processing.

An open work permit allows an applicant to work for any Canadian employer for a specified period of time while his or her application for permanent residence is processed. Over recent months, many applicants for Canadian immigration have taken advantage of this new opportunity. In effect, the pilot program has ensured that applicants don’t have to choose between being able to work and being with their partner and children, if applicable. This pilot program also allows the applicants to receive provincial health coverage while awaiting permanent residence in Canada.

How it works

If an SCLPC applicant has already received approval in principle on an application made before December 22, 2014, he or she then has the option of applying for an open work permit online. New SCLPC applicants should complete an application for permanent residence and an open work permit application simultaneously. Standard medical requirements for open work permits apply. Applicants may see their open work permit applications processed within four months.​

“This pilot program has allowed many residents-to-be to provide for their families and contribute to Canada’s economy at the same time, giving them an opportunity to enter the Canadian labour market and society,” says Attorney David Cohen.

“In spite of that, many existing and potential applicants for inland spousal sponsorship remain unaware of the opportunity to begin working in Canada while the application is in process. Initial news of the pilot program may have slipped under the radar in the run-up to Christmas and New Year, which is understandable.

“When the program was launched a few months ago, I anticipated that it would be a success because it is a win-win for all parties – for the applicant, his or her family and partner, local communities, and the Canadian economy. I hope that more applicants for inland spousal sponsorship become aware of it and that the government extends it beyond its initial 12-month mandate.”

To find out more or to make an enquiry about this pilot program, please contact the CanadaVisa work permit team at wp@canadavisa.com.

© 2015 CICnews All Rights Reserved

Related Canada Immigration Articles:

Comments

  1. I just got mine in the mail last week! I am a March 2015 inland spousal applicant. It is a great program to take advantage of, I am pregnant and fully covered because of this as well. Although the wait will be long, I tip my glass and send my cheers to CIC for this opportunity!

  2. Dear Sir,
    I read computer Science and i want to move to greener pasture which i believe Canada is the best country for me,I need your assistant to actualize my dream.

  3. Hi Brenda,
    That’s really good. Which city do you live? I have same situation I got mine too 2 week. I’m in Mississauga. How come you are fully covered? Did you get your health card?

  4. Conducteur de travaux batiment et travaux public
    Gros oeuvres ,
    Centraliste a beton ….

  5. school graduate in IT information technology and and Cisco network at cape peninsula of technology hi am engage my wife is licence in science politic administrative at university of republic Congo Kinshasa

  6. Hi majid,

    I am in British Columbia. On their website, in order to get your health card you can submit your acknowledgement of receipt from the CIC as proof that you are inland. It specifically states that as an option on the sit somewhere. I had no issues getting it. Maybe try and find similar information for your location? I only know how Alberta and BC works for healthcare from experience. 🙂 good luck with everything!

  7. What about Outland
    I applied for my wife , can she even get a tourist visa .
    New Delhi visa office processing is so slow
    Thanks

  8. I ve applied for inland spousal pilot program last January…..how I didn’t receive mine yet? They said it would be processed within 4 months. Can someone help me?

  9. Bonjour,
    Bonjour,

    Je suis marié à une citoyenne canadienne et mon statut de visiteur expire le 26 juillet 2015. Pour un rétablisement de statut avec demande de permis de travail ouvert, dois-je nécessairement avoir une offre d’un employeur quelconque?

    Merci de bien vouloir me préciser cette question !

    S.D

  10. Hi!
    My name is San’at. I am from Uzbekistan. This year I have graduated the Foreign Languages University. And I would like to continue my studies in Canada but I have some problems about study fees. I have some questions for you. How can I relaese it and may I work during me studies. Help me plaease! Thank you in advance!

  11. Hi Guys, I have a question. My wife is a Canadian citizen and I am USA green card living in USA. My wife applied spouse immigration paper in Dec2014. Nowadays its taking long time.
    My question is can i apply for open work permit from outside Canada in my situation ?

    Thanks

  12. Hi! I’m Anuoluwa from Lagos Nigeria, I studied business administrative in lagos state polytechnic, I wish to be in Canada to enjoy my youth age and to see the world… Please help thanks…

  13. My name is Adedeji Rotimi Babatunde,l am a graduate of business administration.l worked in a pharmaceutical company in Nigeria.l am married with two kids,while my wife worked with IBTC Stanbic as a pension manager too.She is also a graduate of banking and finance.Do we qualify for the spouse and family programme.

  14. Hello…..!
    I am from Pakistan.I am a nurse.I want to apply for a work permit, how do i apply for? Please help me by sending the details thank you.

  15. Hello , I am eager to apply for open job in Canada and want to work in Canada as I like Canada too much, I am from Kabul Afghanistan and I am bachelor of business administration so is any opportunity to work or apply for work in Canada ?

  16. iI am interested in applying for Canadian Visa, but I want to know if I will get an equal Job Value or even Higher than the one I am presently working with. Will Canada provide a recruitive Job.

  17. Brenda, or anyone, I have been searching on the CIC site to try and locate the actual forms for work permit application. Can anyone direct me step by step where to go for this? Thanks.

  18. I am from Syria. Sooner or later we might be forced to be refugees to some other country . Before this happens I want to secure legal and decent immigration to Canada. I am a university teacher in Syria. I hold B.A in English and M.A in English/Arabic Translation. My son is 35 years od, married and is a mechanical Engineer.My daughter is 27 and hold Master Degree in Physics, Branch Lazar. Please show me the easy way to immigration because there are many difficulties for procedures here.
    Kind regards
    Marwan Abdeh

  19. It is good opportunity for spouses who are already in Canada as it provides them some additional benefits. What about spouses who are waiting abroad to get united with their spouses in Canada? Any option for them to come to Canada and live with their spouses while waiting for their application for permanent residence being processed?

    It can take about 3 years in some cases to get application processed and approved.

  20. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/extend-worker.asp

    Ushi, I’m sorry for the slow response. What you will fill out the form list for the link. It is to change condition of your stay while in Canada. You will be here under visitor, work, student, etc. I was here as a student so I selected that. The main form is a little strange because it is a generic form for all types of work permits. When they ask you things like “name of employer” etc, I wrote in the box “none, will apply upon approval” and I included an additional letter sort of giving my educational background and what I would like to do with my open work permit, like types of jobs that I qualify for, etc.

    Hope that helps! Good luck to all 🙂

  21. Hello
    I am from india
    I have already applied for the Spouse or Common Law Partners in Canada Class (SCLPC)
    But it is taking a lot of time ..
    So can I apply for this open work permit too ??
    Does it make any harm to my applied case (SCLPC)
    If no then how much time it will take to get mature the case
    Thanks …

  22. I am a Medical Doctor and I live in Nigeria. My wife is a Permanent Resident in Canada awaiting her citizenship approval. She resides in Toronto, Canada. She entered as a Refuge in 2006. We are legaLly married. I have applied for a tourist visa three times but denied each time. How can I join my wife in canada pending our application for spousal sponsored permanent residene

  23. Hey Brenda…..

    So you automatically get healthcare coverage once approved into the pilot program? I would love to chat with you and find out more about the procedures.

  24. There seems to be some question about whether a Open WP applicant under the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class (SCLPC) program have to pay the additional $100 Open Work Permit Holder fee (i.e. a total cost of $255), can you shed some light on this?

  25. Al,

    Yes, you have to pay a total cost of $255. I made the mistake of only paying the work permit fee of $155 and had my application returned to me after four months of waiting and expecting it to be approved. I then paid the $100 open work permit fee and sent the application back. That was three months ago, so I’m crossing all my fingers that everything else is okay with my application. It was very annoying to have missed that point and have to start all over!

    Good luck with your app.

  26. Hi everyone!

    I applied for my open work permit and my PR through my Canadian spouse and I’m wondering how long takes the process to get the Open Work Permit. My lawyer said it’s a 4 months process but I heard people that got it in few weeks, that’s possible??

    I applied in Toronto

    Thanks in Advance

  27. Hi,
    I sent my application to the mississauga office on Oct 14, 2015 for spousal sponsorship along with the open work permit application. How long do you think it will take for me to get a response from them?

  28. Hi Everyone,

    I am a temporary foreign worker here in Canada, I married to a Canadian Citizen my wife applied for me a spousal sponsorship and a Open Work Permit too. my OWP mailed last October 20, 2015 assuming that the processing time is 4 months, so I would expect my Open Work Permit to be released on February 2016.

    My work permit will expire on January 16, 2016. My question is, what would I do if my WORK PERMIT will expire then i don’t have yet my Open Work Permit.

    I hope somebody can give me advice.

    Many thanks!

  29. Was this pilot project extended beyond the 12 months??

  30. Hi Jessica, we had the same situation as you, about a month or two after you. Are you able to update your situation? Did you get the permit yet? How long did it take after you sent it back?

  31. I sent my application on August 27th and I still have 0 feedback from it. Looks like that they were good at the beginning but were not able to keep up with the demand. So frustrating

  32. Application was recieved by CIC on 29 May 2015. They started processing our application on 4 August 2015. It is now 4 January 2016 – it has been a full 5 months and still no word on the open work permit for my spouse. It is very hard to have him here in Canada and unable to work.

    Any advice? I can’t seem to get through to any one via telephone at CIC.

  33. Hi.. I applied inland common-law with my fiance. we are waiting for his OWP to arrive in the mail.. once it arrives hopefully this month, does anyone know if we can fly home to england for his brothers wedding for a week??? i have heard mostly yes to this answer however no one is able to give me a CLEAR answer and getting in contact with anyone from the CIC to ask has been inpossible…
    thanks 🙂

  34. JULIE. we have a friend who sent her PR package in August as well and she received her OWP 2 weeks ago… we sent our application September so we are hoping to get the OWP soon as well 🙂

  35. JONAS… I believe once the current work permit expires as long as you have applied for PR and have sent your application for the OWP you will be under implied status and you can still work as long as you do not leave the country before you receive your new OWP

  36. Was this pilot project extended beyond the 12 months?? Please advise.

  37. My wife sponsored me from inland. We applied last October but we didn’t get any response or owp any body have idea, how much time it takes to come work permit?

  38. Karim,

    I am a Canadian citizen by birth. My husband is here and we applied for his permanent residence along with the open work permit on January 28, 2015. We received his open work permit in the end of March, so it only took 2 months for us.

  39. I am a Canadian citizen sponsoring my US husband through Inland process, we submitted his OWP application along with his PR/Sponsorship App at the end of October 2015 and still have not heard a thing from CIC. We are at 4 months now since applying. He has implied status currently until the work permit is decided. If they approve his OWP – can he fly back to the Southern States to visit his sick Father/attend his funeral or will this put his inland application in jeopardy? I understand he cannot leave with implied status but what if he has status in the form of an open work permit? Please…any help is appreciated – this process has been grueling.

  40. i applied my hubsband nd my pr .we are still waiting my husband is in india.how long we have to wait more.plz reply

  41. i applied in 2013. plz reply how long we wait for pr under live in caregiver .my husband medical is already expired .we dont get any response from cic

  42. Good day. My fiancee is a Canadian and we both live in South Africa. Due to the terrible state of the country we are moving to Canada. Should we try outland (from SA) or move and apply inland? We will have savings so I will be able to provide for myself for about half a year without work. Applying outland is faster BUT proving intent to move to Canada is hard since we cannot lease property or anything without knowing the status of our application. Applying inland worries me since I need to go on a visitor visa and then Im not sure how it will work from there. Last thing I want to do is lie to the officer at the border about my intentions to remain indefinitely, especially since we will probably only purchase one way tickets. Please, can anyone advise me? ruanp28@gmail.com

  43. Hi!
    I’m Aaron from the Philippines. My wife is under live-in caregiver program in British Columbia and she’s already been there for 7 years. We have application for Permanent Residence since 2012 and until now still waiting and hoping for the approval of Canada Immigration. Last April 2017, on my behalf my wife applied this OWP program but last May 2017 we received a letter from Immigration that our application for this OWP has been denied. My wife tried again another way, on my behalf and to our 7 year old son she applied the Visitor’s Visa last May 2017 but unfortunately still denied by the CIC. We hope and pray that CIC will approve our application soon. Thank you.
    God bless us all.