Open work permit while sponsoring

[Yehia82]

Hello everyone,


I am currently filling out an application to sponsor my wife in Canada. She is currently in Canada on a visitor visa valid until July 14, 2025. We previously applied to extend her stay, and her extension was approved until that date.


I have a few questions regarding the work permit application we are preparing for her:

1. If we apply for an open work permit and the approval comes after her visitor visa expires (after July 14, 2025), will she maintain her status in Canada while waiting for the work permit decision?
2. On the work permit application, there are questions about employer name, job title, duties, and expected start date. Since she is not planning to work right now and we are applying only to maintain her status, what is the best way to answer these questions?
3. Once she receives her open work permit, will she be able to leave Canada to visit family and re-enter without issues?

Thank you very much for your help and guidance!

 

[scylla]

Hello everyone,


I am currently filling out an application to sponsor my wife in Canada. She is currently in Canada on a visitor visa valid until July 14, 2025. We previously applied to extend her stay, and her extension was approved until that date.


I have a few questions regarding the work permit application we are preparing for her:

1. If we apply for an open work permit and the approval comes after her visitor visa expires (after July 14, 2025), will she maintain her status in Canada while waiting for the work permit decision?
2. On the work permit application, there are questions about employer name, job title, duties, and expected start date. Since she is not planning to work right now and we are applying only to maintain her status, what is the best way to answer these questions?
3. Once she receives her open work permit, will she be able to leave Canada to visit family and re-enter without issues?

Thank you very much for your help and guidance!

You can only submit the spousal sponsorship application now. Not the OWP. You will be able to submit the OWP once you have AOR for the spousal sponsorship application. Focus on getting the spousal sponsorship application in.

 

[CanGoldDigger]

You can only submit the spousal sponsorship application now. Not the OWP. You will be able to submit the OWP once you have AOR for the spousal sponsorship application. Focus on getting the spousal sponsorship application in.

There are some exceptions though:

Who’s eligible to apply for a work permit without an AOR​

You can only apply for a work permit without an AOR if you meet BOTH of the following criteria:

• your work permit, study permit or temporary resident status will expire in 2 weeks or less and
• you’ve applied for permanent residence under one of the following classes:
  • the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class (SCLPC) as a spouse or common-law partner
  • the family class as a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner (sponsored overseas)

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...-partner-canada-open-work-permit.html#who-can

 

[YVR123]

Hello everyone,


I am currently filling out an application to sponsor my wife in Canada. She is currently in Canada on a visitor visa valid until July 14, 2025. We previously applied to extend her stay, and her extension was approved until that date.


I have a few questions regarding the work permit application we are preparing for her:

1. If we apply for an open work permit and the approval comes after her visitor visa expires (after July 14, 2025), will she maintain her status in Canada while waiting for the work permit decision?
2. On the work permit application, there are questions about employer name, job title, duties, and expected start date. Since she is not planning to work right now and we are applying only to maintain her status, what is the best way to answer these questions?
3. Once she receives her open work permit, will she be able to leave Canada to visit family and re-enter without issues?

Thank you very much for your help and guidance!

1. If we apply for an open work permit and the approval comes after her visitor visa expires (after July 14, 2025), will she maintain her status in Canada while waiting for the work permit decision?
   - she can only apply for OWP after you received AOR of the sponsorship application. So only if you received AOR before July 14 or look at the exception in case she didn't get AOR before then. Once she applied for OWP, then she will be on maintain status while waiting for OWP (provided that she stays inside Canada)
   
   
2. On the work permit application, there are questions about employer name, job title, duties, and expected start date. Since she is not planning to work right now and we are applying only to maintain her status, what is the best way to answer these questions?
   - You may be looking at a wrong guide. Find out one from the family sponsorship application page with "optional work permit" application. That one will have specific instruction on the OWP application job title...etc.
   
   
3. Once she receives her open work permit, will she be able to leave Canada to visit family and re-enter without issues?
   - Does she have a multiple entry TRV? OR eTA? The work permit doesn't give her right to re-enter. She needs TRV or eTA.

 

[canuck78]

Hello everyone,


I am currently filling out an application to sponsor my wife in Canada. She is currently in Canada on a visitor visa valid until July 14, 2025. We previously applied to extend her stay, and her extension was approved until that date.

3. Have you applied for inland or Outland sponsorship?
I have a few questions regarding the work permit application we are preparing for her:

1. If we apply for an open work permit and the approval comes after her visitor visa expires (after July 14, 2025), will she maintain her status in Canada while waiting for the work permit decision?
2. On the work permit application, there are questions about employer name, job title, duties, and expected start date. Since she is not planning to work right now and we are applying only to maintain her status, what is the best way to answer these questions?
3. Once she receives her open work permit, will she be able to leave Canada to visit family and re-enter without issues?

Thank you very much for your help and guidance!

 

[aarafat2325]

Hi i am new to the group,

My wife is an us citizen and currently inside canada with me. I have submitted her pr application in september 2025 (outland family class from usa). Currently we are waiting for the AOR. Once received we are looking forward to apply for an open work permit so that she can work while waiting for the pr to process.

Now my biggest confusion is- do we need to apply for her visitor visa first? As a us citizen she doesnt need visitor visa to travel to canada since usa is visa exempt country.

 

[DamnYouDaria]

Hi i am new to the group,

My wife is an us citizen and currently inside canada with me. I have submitted her pr application in september 2025 (outland family class from usa). Currently we are waiting for the AOR. Once received we are looking forward to apply for an open work permit so that she can work while waiting for the pr to process.

Now my biggest confusion is- do we need to apply for her visitor visa first? As a us citizen she doesnt need visitor visa to travel to canada since usa is visa exempt country.

I'm a US citizen and speaking as one, I know we CAN'T apply for a visitor visa. The application process simply won't continue if you indicate that you have a US passport. So, what I did was I flew in on WestJet (and Delta) from Atlanta to Edmonton. I did have to have a conversation with CBSA upon arrival (only a couple minutes) and I was in for six months. Once you do that, and you have AOR, you can apply for a work permit. Just follow the instructions here to apply. I got mine a couple weeks ago and I'd be on the job hunt if I didn't fracture my ankle last weekend.

 

[aarafat2325]

I'm a US citizen and speaking as one, I know we CAN'T apply for a visitor visa. The application process simply won't continue if you indicate that you have a US passport. So, what I did was I flew in on WestJet (and Delta) from Atlanta to Edmonton. I did have to have a conversation with CBSA upon arrival (only a couple minutes) and I was in for six months. Once you do that, and you have AOR, you can apply for a work permit. Just follow the instructions here to apply. I got mine a couple weeks ago and I'd be on the job hunt if I didn't fracture my ankle last weekend.

Thanks for your response. Did you apply for the work permit during your conversation with CBSA? Or later once you got inside canada + received AOR