Open Work permit for spouse of PGWP holder

[mdd2011]

Hi Shel & Andorme:
Thank you for the detailed explanations of your cases. I am about to file for my OWP. Could you please tell me how to apply for OWP?

[kat765]

Hi all..do you know what form i should use to apply for the spousal open work permit?

[shel]

Hi mdd2011 and kat765,

I wish I could help you but I don't want to give you false information. My wife applied once and was rejected with letter saying she's not eligible because I'm not a student which is ridiculous and we are thinking of getting a lawyer too. As I said in the previous posts, I called the call center a couple of times and they gave different answers regarding the eligibility of spouse of PGWP holders. If you want to give it a shot, make sure you have your employer write you an employment letter specifying your job title, NOC number and salary and duties etc to prove you are a skilled worker. And maybe also include a copy of page 70-71 (section 5.38) of foreign worker manual. (search foreign worker manual on google). And maybe even a description of your job duties on the NOC website to show that you are skilled worker of NOC 0,A,B. That's what I can think of. I have heard of people both granted and refused OWP and I have no idea how CIC agents do work. It seems to me that a lot of them do not know what they are doing. The form I used was APPLICATION TO CHANGE CONDITIONS, EXTEND MY STAY OR REMAIN IN CANADA. Hope that helps.

[mwan]

Hello all,

I think we can now finally answer the question- Can a spouse of a PGWP get an open work permit?

The answer is YES  - BUT the PGWP must hold a job in skill level 0, A or B.

Previously others have "theorized" that this rule that is posted on the cic website only applies to temporary work permits with closed work permits. But others on this thread and myself included now have OWP for our spouses, while we hold a PGWP. So I hope others out there find this thread and do not have to stress as much as we did.

Also, note that others have used lawyers, other have not. I did not use a lawyer, only a simple letter from the employer stating my job title, I also asked them employer  to indicate the NOC category.

Good luck everyone. Hopefully CIC can add this to their FAQ for international students/working after graduation and stop the confusion and ambiguity. Also please note that some of you may have some unique circumstances such as your spouses not residing in Canada at the time of the application. My above comment relates to my experience with spouse residing in Canada.

wan

[mdd2011]

Thank you shel & mwan, for the clarification and advise. Really appreciate your time and effort.

[mdd2011]

Hello all,

I think we can now finally answer the question- Can a spouse of a PGWP get an open work permit?

The answer is YES  - BUT the PGWP must hold a job in skill level 0, A or B.

Previously others have "theorized" that this rule that is posted on the cic website only applies to temporary work permits with closed work permits. But others on this thread and myself included now have OWP for our spouses, while we hold a PGWP. So I hope others out there find this thread and do not have to stress as much as we did.

Also, note that others have used lawyers, other have not. I did not use a lawyer, only a simple letter from the employer stating my job title, I also asked them employer  to indicate the NOC category.

Good luck everyone. Hopefully CIC can add this to their FAQ for international students/working after graduation and stop the confusion and ambiguity. Also please note that some of you may have some unique circumstances such as your spouses not residing in Canada at the time of the application. My above comment relates to my experience with spouse residing in Canada.

wan

Wan: If my spouse is in a Skill B job on "part time" basis, will I be able to apply for OWP? Would appreciate your views.

[mwan]

Yes,  I am also part time ( my employer letter indicated I am part time).

good luck,
wan

[mwan]

Hello people,

This is why I like CIC - they are quite transparent. A while back I suggested we should advocate for CIC to clarify the vague issue of whether spouses of PGWP can apply for an open work permit and many of us posted here trying to find the answer. Well CIC has finally clarified the issue! Under working temporarily SPOUSES it is now clear that yes spouses of Pgwp who meet the criteria can apply see here http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/arriving.asp#spouse

I hope this thread helps others avoid the hassle some of us went through.
Wan

[angirasg]

Hi All

Q1 -> How to apply for OWP ? It is okay to apply online ? If not where to apply physically in canada ? I am in toronto.
Q2 -> How long OWP takes ?

My Case - I am on closed work permit W1 and my wife dependant. My job is skilled so I should be eligible to apply OWP for my wife. I asked for OWP at port of entry. The immigration officer said it cannot be done here.

Regards
Gaurav

[lavalava321]

Q1 -> How to apply for OWP ? It is okay to apply online ? If not where to apply physically in canada ? I am in toronto.

u can apply online. the cic website has all the instructions. otherwise u need to mail the app pkg.

Q2 -> How long OWP takes ?

check the link for  processing times. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/temp.asp