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Open Work Permits not being approved even when meeting eligibility criteria

BB802

Star Member
Nov 19, 2019
109
25
I'm really happy someone is taking care of your case and hopefully you will get an answer soon!

I got my OWP approved last Wednesday! Since they told me the "you don't meet the eligibility criteria" 3 weeks ago I decided to wait a couple of weeks more and 2 days ago I got the letter or approval! Now I'm just waiting to receive it by mail!

I also got my GCMS notes for my OWP and my PR case. I would recommend you guys to request the notes of your OWP case, is an easy way to figure out if the response they gave to your first request was correct! Everything is in the notes!
congrats :)))
 

Vendi

Star Member
Apr 26, 2018
135
6
The cost for the OWP is both the $155 work permit fee and the $100 open work permit holder fee. Restoration is another $200 on top of that, so $455 altogether to apply for Restoration as a worker.
Is it so I was wondering the fees to pay for open work permit, so we have to pay for work permit fee and open work permit holder, and another question I wanted to ask is did you submit medicals and what other supporting documents did you submite for OWP coz the guild says you have to prove that you will leave canada at the end of your work permit so does someone have to show financial and family ties back home
 

Vendi

Star Member
Apr 26, 2018
135
6
I'm really happy someone is taking care of your case and hopefully you will get an answer soon!

I got my OWP approved last Wednesday! Since they told me the "you don't meet the eligibility criteria" 3 weeks ago I decided to wait a couple of weeks more and 2 days ago I got the letter or approval! Now I'm just waiting to receive it by mail!

I also got my GCMS notes for my OWP and my PR case. I would recommend you guys to request the notes of your OWP case, is an easy way to figure out if the response they gave to your first request was correct! Everything is in the notes!
Hello dear, am putting my app together for spousal spounsership inland and need some help about OWP, how much did you pay, does one pay for the work permit, 155$ and open work permit hold 100$ and the work permit includes extension did you put a visa extension as well.
Secondly what other supporting documents did you submit, did you do medicals as the guild says to do medical, and also says that one is supposed to prove that they will leave canada at the end of their owp so did you submite financial and family ties of back home as a way to say you will go back home at the end of owp
 

Vendi

Star Member
Apr 26, 2018
135
6
On a semi-related note, I electronically applied to extend my stay as a visitor in Canada (IMM 5708e), since I will be out of status very soon, with no approved OWP. That was another $100. I know we have implied status with our OWP & PR apps pending, but I wasn't willing to take the risk of being out of status in case they are returned to me.

If I receive my OWP anytime soon, I will withdraw the IMM 5708e (and hopefully get a refund).

Anyone else close to being out of status with no approved OWP? Are you applying to extend your stay, or going with implied status?
The best way is to apply for extension before you run out of status because lots of people here have had issues with OWP and when IRRC sends it back with anything missing they are already out of status, my dear need some help with OWP as am filling out the forms am applying for spousal spounsership inland
1. How much did you pay do we have to pay for work permit 155$ and OWP holder fees100$, and secondly the guild says to do a medical did you have one? And it says to prove if one will leave canada at the end of their work. So the supporting documents did you add your bank statement, family ties, assets back home to show that you will leave canada at the end of your OWP thanks
 

Vendi

Star Member
Apr 26, 2018
135
6
So I got a response back from my webform message where I re-uploaded supporting docs and wrote a letter. This is more frustrating than I thought :mad:

The response I got was basically saying that they haven't even opened my file yet!!!!! They haven't even started looking at my OWP application!!!! That's why I don't have an application number and why I haven't been able to link online. So this seems to be another yet completely different issue than the rest of you.

What would be the reason why they haven't even opened my application yet???!!!!!

Furthermore, does my husband still have implied status even if they haven't opened the file yet? Is this going to effect the application once they open it? Because he was in-status when we sent the app but not when they finally open the file. I'm so frustrated and heartbroken by all of this. Especially when there seems to be no rhyme or reason.
He should have applied for a visa extension before we fell out of status just in case things dont get bad and they return the owp, but his still under implied status that's the good thing, my dear have some qns about owp as am also filling out the forms
How much did you pay for owp.
What supporting doc did you submite other than what is in the checklist coz the guild says to do medical and prove that one will leave at the end of their owp, so did you do a.medical and what other supporting documents did you submite.
 

CanUK333

Hero Member
Jun 18, 2019
279
146
United Kingdom
Category........
FAM
He should have applied for a visa extension before we fell out of status just in case things dont get bad and they return the owp, but his still under implied status that's the good thing, my dear have some qns about owp as am also filling out the forms
How much did you pay for owp.
What supporting doc did you submite other than what is in the checklist coz the guild says to do medical and prove that one will leave at the end of their owp, so did you do a.medical and what other supporting documents did you submite.
When we phoned IRCC they told us NOT to apply for the extension it would not be approved because he has an OWP application in which already is an application to remain in Canada. I have since found out that the IRCC call centre agents do not always give out accurate advice and in hindsight they were wrong and we should have applied for the extension. Makes me so angry as I trusted that when you ring the IRCC that they give out accurate information but this is not the case so beware. You get much more accurate advice on this forum from the experienced forum members.

We paid $255 total. It's broken down into 2 different payments one for $100 (open work permit holder fee) and the other for $155 (work permit fee). You need to pay for both and include the receipt.

The documents we submitted with the OWP section were the required payment receipt, marriage certificate, and passport scans, but we also included an additional information sheet where we explained his visitors status, scans of boarding passes showing latest entry into Canada (to prove visitors status as UK citizens don't need an actual visa to enter), bank statement showing joint account with both names/same address. We included these other documents, which aren't necessary, because the illegibility requirements for the OWP are: that you are residing in Canada with your spouse (so the bank statement proves that), that you have valid status (the boarding passes support the fact that he entered Canada as a visitor although not official proof of status so we included an additional info sheet), and that you have an ongoing PR application in. Because of our country requirements we did not have to do medical or anything else. Oh and we also included the checklist which I don't think you have to.

The most important thing to remember when you send your PR and OWP application in is that even though you send off both in the same package, once it gets there an officer separates the two applications and the OWP forms & documents are sent to another office to be processed. They almost become two separate independent applications. This is a very important fact to be aware of so make sure that you have all of the forms, receipt, supporting documents all together in an easy to see section so they know what documents are part of the OWP. I have read on here many people make the mistake of not including the passport scans or marriage certificate, etc. with the OWP section because they think it's in the PR section anyway. This is wrong. They are two separate applications. You need to include the same copies with the OWP as well. The other most common mistake that is made is that people do not hand sign the form at the end. You must hand sign the bottom.

There are other threads on this forum that are dedicated to the application process or the OWP applications, so you are better suited to research those if you have any other questions.
 
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CanUK333

Hero Member
Jun 18, 2019
279
146
United Kingdom
Category........
FAM
I'm really happy someone is taking care of your case and hopefully you will get an answer soon!

I got my OWP approved last Wednesday! Since they told me the "you don't meet the eligibility criteria" 3 weeks ago I decided to wait a couple of weeks more and 2 days ago I got the letter or approval! Now I'm just waiting to receive it by mail!

I also got my GCMS notes for my OWP and my PR case. I would recommend you guys to request the notes of your OWP case, is an easy way to figure out if the response they gave to your first request was correct! Everything is in the notes!
Wow....happy days! Congratulations! So what do you think was happening with yours? Why the delay? Did you ever find out what the mixup was?
 
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CanUK333

Hero Member
Jun 18, 2019
279
146
United Kingdom
Category........
FAM
I want to say I'm surprised, but not really. IRCC's system is such a disorganized clusterf*ck, it's ridiculous. Files continually fall through the cracks/get lost, etc. It's ridiculous, really. I'm so sorry.
It is ridiculous! The fact that the OWP and PR applications get split up and sent to different offices is a disaster waiting to happen and this is exactly what happened in my case. :( Hopefully it truly IS expedited now but I'm not holding my breath. I am still unable to link the OWP to my husbands account so I can tell they haven't started processing it yet. ugh
 
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DirtyMelodies

Star Member
Feb 19, 2020
167
89
It is ridiculous! The fact that the OWP and PR applications get split up and sent to different offices is a disaster waiting to happen and this is exactly what happened in my case. :( Hopefully it truly IS expedited now but I'm not holding my breath. I am still unable to link the OWP to my husbands account so I can tell they haven't started processing it yet. ugh
Have you tried getting your MP involved? (Sorry if you mentioned it earlier!)
 

CanUK333

Hero Member
Jun 18, 2019
279
146
United Kingdom
Category........
FAM
Have you tried getting your MP involved? (Sorry if you mentioned it earlier!)
Yes MP has been involved for about a month already. They couldn't get an answer so they contacted the Minister of Immigration's office. They are the ones who found out that the application is "lost" and told me to send a copy of the original application to a specific officer and they will expedite it. I am supposed to have it within three weeks but I am not holding my breath.
 

DirtyMelodies

Star Member
Feb 19, 2020
167
89
Yes MP has been involved for about a month already. They couldn't get an answer so they contacted the Minister of Immigration's office. They are the ones who found out that the application is "lost" and told me to send a copy of the original application to a specific officer and they will expedite it. I am supposed to have it within three weeks but I am not holding my breath.
Don't lose hope! I feel like if the Minister's office is involved, they must be working overtime on your OWP file so they don't get reprimanded. Doesn't look too good when your boss starts checking on you and you have to admit you've lost an entire application packet...
 

CanUK333

Hero Member
Jun 18, 2019
279
146
United Kingdom
Category........
FAM
I'm really happy someone is taking care of your case and hopefully you will get an answer soon!

I got my OWP approved last Wednesday! Since they told me the "you don't meet the eligibility criteria" 3 weeks ago I decided to wait a couple of weeks more and 2 days ago I got the letter or approval! Now I'm just waiting to receive it by mail!

I also got my GCMS notes for my OWP and my PR case. I would recommend you guys to request the notes of your OWP case, is an easy way to figure out if the response they gave to your first request was correct! Everything is in the notes!
So did you find anything written in your notes that explains the delay in processing your application?
 
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PrincessButtercup

Hero Member
Oct 1, 2019
441
197
Ottawa
Category........
FAM
App. Filed.......
30-10-2019
AOR Received.
24-12-2019
Med's Request
07-28-2020
Med's Done....
08-05-2020
Interview........
N/A (COVID)
Passport Req..
N/A
VISA ISSUED...
N/A
LANDED..........
09-28-2020
I also got my GCMS notes for my OWP and my PR case. I would recommend you guys to request the notes of your OWP case, is an easy way to figure out if the response they gave to your first request was correct! Everything is in the notes!

So did you find anything written in your notes that explains the delay in processing your application?
Yes, curious about this as well; I've put off ordering my GCMS notes as I keep getting tiny slivers of hope that my OWP is being re-reviewed. If notes are taking a month or more, I may order now if you feel there was useful information to be gotten.
 

PrincessButtercup

Hero Member
Oct 1, 2019
441
197
Ottawa
Category........
FAM
App. Filed.......
30-10-2019
AOR Received.
24-12-2019
Med's Request
07-28-2020
Med's Done....
08-05-2020
Interview........
N/A (COVID)
Passport Req..
N/A
VISA ISSUED...
N/A
LANDED..........
09-28-2020
Just wanted to give an update on the status of my OWP inquiry with my MP:

April 21: I emailed MP, explaining my OWP situation and requesting assistance.

April 23: MP's office asked me to sign a consent form for IRCC to discuss my records with them.

April 27: MP's office wrote me back, saying she discussed my case with the MP/IRCC and IRCC came back and told them that on March 3rd they requested that I submit a new Schedule A (part of PR paperwork; IMM 5669e Background Declaration form). As if that was the cause of any delay. And that if I wanted to submit any backup supporting my case, I could attach it to my email and it would be forwarded on (presumably to IRCC).

On March 3rd I did receive a request for a new Schedule A. On March 5th I uploaded and resubmitted it via my GC Key. In GC Key it says that the form was "Uploaded" and a "Replacement Provided." IRCC has the new Schedule A, and they have had it since March 5th.

In response, I took screenshots of my GC Key web pages that show the Schedule A was Uploaded and Replacement Provided. I made a Word document of the screen shots and PDF'd that. Then I also included the Privacy Act document that shows my October 22, 2019 entry into Canada, to prove my status was legal.

April 29: MP's office writes back to say that my supporting documents have been attached to my file "for the agent's consideration,"and that they (the agent or IRCC) will be in touch with me directly.
Have a small but hopefully positive update:

May 22: MP's office emails me, unsolicited, saying:

Due to the pandemic all IRCC offices have been dealing with urgent cases first.

I inquired on your case today.

They confirmed that your application was received October 30, 2019.

The IMM5710 form's information is in its second review at the Mississauga office.

Once a decision has been made you will be informed.


So what happened this past week, my friends? It seems like someone put a fire under someone else and we're getting approvals and answers?!? :D
 

PrincessButtercup

Hero Member
Oct 1, 2019
441
197
Ottawa
Category........
FAM
App. Filed.......
30-10-2019
AOR Received.
24-12-2019
Med's Request
07-28-2020
Med's Done....
08-05-2020
Interview........
N/A (COVID)
Passport Req..
N/A
VISA ISSUED...
N/A
LANDED..........
09-28-2020
The best way is to apply for extension before you run out of status because lots of people here have had issues with OWP and when IRRC sends it back with anything missing they are already out of status, my dear need some help with OWP as am filling out the forms am applying for spousal spounsership inland
1. How much did you pay do we have to pay for work permit 155$ and OWP holder fees100$, and secondly the guild says to do a medical did you have one? And it says to prove if one will leave canada at the end of their work. So the supporting documents did you add your bank statement, family ties, assets back home to show that you will leave canada at the end of your OWP thanks
I think your questions may have been answered already, but:

1. How much did you pay do we have to pay for work permit 155$ and OWP holder fees 100$: Yes, $255.00 total

2. The guild says to do a medical did you have one?: I have not been asked to do a medical exam at this point, but I am anticipating this as part of the Permanent Residency application process.

3. And it says to prove if one will leave canada at the end of their work. So the supporting documents did you add your bank statement, family ties, assets back home to show that you will leave canada at the end of your OWP: The spousal OWP program allows for an OWP to be issued to those that are eligible for 2 years, or until the expiration date of their passport, whichever comes first. I did not have to provide any of the backup you listed for my own OWP application.

Hope this helps!