Eligible for Open Work Permit while applying through my Spousal Sponsor

[hemlockmark]

I currently am in Canada with my wife as a visitor from the US - I can stay six months. While I apply for Permanent Residence through spousal sponsorship (my wife is a citizen born in Canada),

Can I take part in the Open Work Permit program?

At the following link it says "You may be eligible for an open work permit if you are in one of the following situations:
•Spouses and common-law partners of some workers and international students,
•Some temporary resident permit holders, or (I am a legal visitor for six months)
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=177&top=17

Then:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/apply-who-eligible.asp#inside
Eligibility requirements if you apply from inside Canada (and one is):
•have a temporary resident permit that is valid for six months or more

Suggestions? Thanks!

 

[profiler]

While I apply for Permanent Residence through spousal sponsorship (my wife is a citizen born in Canada),

1. Can I take part in the Open Work Permit program?
2. Has anyone done this?

I have read both yes and no online and not found any clear answer in the application guide.

Thanks all
-M

As long as you are applying inland (so in Canada) you can apply for an OWP.

EDIT: See my post from this morning where I included an excerpt from the CIC Operational Guide that Officers who grant work permits use: http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/spousal-sponsorship-inland-applications-2016-timeline-and-updates-t389295.0.html;msg5522120#msg5522120 . Also, many inlanders apply for the OWP to maintain status in Canada while the application is processed.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

As an American, you really should apply outland. There is no work permit option but American apps are being approved in about 6 months right now, many even faster.

 

[km9203]

As an American, you really should apply outland. There is no work permit option but American apps are being approved in about 6 months right now, many even faster.

This. DO NOT apply inland! It sucks. Applied July 2015 and nothing so far! By the time you get the OWP inland, there's a chance you could get PR outland a month or so after. Also, if you are Inland, you are advised not to travel as if the officer denies you re-entry then your app can be cancelled. The OWP does not authorise re-entry to Canada. Some people take the risk and travel with an Inland app but I don't think it is worth it as there is no appeal option.

 

[profiler]

Applied July 2015 and nothing so far!

There are others who have applied in 2016 who are getting their PR's in only a few months. One case got his PR before they issued the OWP (takes 4 months).

See the inland spreadsheet for yourself: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Yn3BFzI4q4xAy4EW3pG4CgQz9o3EzF5b18_tcSJwBhA/edit?pref=2&pli=1#gid=658237024
Also, here is the current statistics from CIC: http://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/63858380-265e-4948-8e96-ca50fceca2d7

It can be a long process, but not always. There are US applicants from 2016 who landed a month ago..

 

[2kiwicanucks]

i think I'm in the exact same position as you are - so I cant answer but keen to hear others ideas.
I really wish i had known to apply before landing with my husband :-((

 

[hemlockmark]

profiler, 2kiwi, km, canuck, thank you all. And 2kiwi, best of luck. I will probably just stick with outland spousal and wait on the WP. Let me know if things change for ya!

 

[canuck_in_uk]

I will probably just stick with outland spousal and wait on the WP.

Except that there is no work permit option with an outland app.