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Can a pr holder apply for SOWP for spouse

gihank

Star Member
Aug 3, 2017
120
81
Hello all,

Can a pr holder in Canada, apply for SOWP for spouse not residing in Canada?

Or is SOWP only for international students?

Thanks for your time
 

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
92,916
20,531
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
Hello all,

Can a pr holder in Canada, apply for SOWP for spouse not residing in Canada?

Or is SOWP only for international students?

Thanks for your time
SOWP is not available to PR holders.

The only way to get an OWP for your spouse is for both of you to be physically in Canada and for you to submit an inland spousal sponsorship application with an OWP included.
 

YVR123

VIP Member
Jul 27, 2017
6,554
2,503
You are a permanent resident of canada. It's NOT a visa. So "PR holders" is not really a correct description.
As a PR, if you live in Canada, you can apply to sponsor your spouse to become a PR too.
If your spouse can come to Canada (TRV or visa exempt country), then you can apply via "inland" and include OWP with the PR sponsorship application.
That currently is taking 6 months or more for the OWP to get approved.

If your spouse cannot travel to Canada, you then can apply via "outland" and there is no work permit option. Your spouse will need to wait to get a TRV or for the PR application to complete before he/she can travel to and work in Canada.
 

gihank

Star Member
Aug 3, 2017
120
81
The immigration lawyer says a permanent resident can apply for SOWP for their spouse who isnt in canada according to canadian immigration law and its not available in google search results.
 

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
92,916
20,531
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
The immigration lawyer says a permanent resident can apply for SOWP for their spouse who isnt in canada according to canadian immigration law and its not available in google search results.
This is wrong and not true.
 

gihank

Star Member
Aug 3, 2017
120
81
Just for more clarification, we can apply for open work permit while our spousal visa is being processed and pending decision. Thats what the lawyer meant.
 

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
92,916
20,531
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
Just for more clarification, we can apply for open work permit while our spousal visa is being processed and pending decision. Thats what the lawyer meant.
Only if both you and your spouse are physically in Canada and you have applied to sponsor your spouse through the inland application route.

Not possible if your spouse is outside of Canada or if you have applied to sponsor your spouse outland.
 
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gihank

Star Member
Aug 3, 2017
120
81
Just an update on this, we couriered the spouse pr application package along with open work permit outside canada. This is outland application.

Open work permit outside Canada can be applied pending pr approval and under the law it seems.
 
Last edited:
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scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
92,916
20,531
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
Just an update on this, we couriered the spouse pr application package along with open work permit outside canada. This is outland application.

Open work permit outside Canada can be applied pending pr approval and under the law it seems.
No - it can't. The open work permit application is going to be refused.

An open work permit is only available if you are applying through the inland spousal sponsorship process while you are both inside Canada.
 

wonderbly

VIP Member
Aug 26, 2020
3,882
3,088
The immigration lawyer says a permanent resident can apply for SOWP for their spouse who isnt in canada according to canadian immigration law and its not available in google search results.
You clearly don't trust your lawyer if you are here asking questions. Fire them already. You've gotten more accurate advice here to free :).
 
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gihank

Star Member
Aug 3, 2017
120
81
No - it can't. The open work permit application is going to be refused.

An open work permit is only available if you are applying through the inland spousal sponsorship process while you are both inside Canada.
FYI

https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/apply-who-permit-result.asp

You're a family member who has been included on an application for permanent residence
You may be eligible for an open work permit if you’ve been included on an application for permanent residence that has been found complete or has received a positive eligibility assessment. Your application must be under one of the following:

 
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wonderbly

VIP Member
Aug 26, 2020
3,882
3,088
FYI

https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/apply-who-permit-result.asp

You're a family member who has been included on an application for permanent residence
You may be eligible for an open work permit if you’ve been included on an application for permanent residence that has been found complete or has received a positive eligibility assessment. Your application must be under one of the following:

This doesn't apply to you. You are not including your spouse in your PR application, as you are already PR. What you can do now is apply for family sponsorship for your spouse. If she's already inland, then yes she may be eligible for OWP and that can be included in the sponsorship application, if outland, she is not.
 

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
92,916
20,531
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
FYI

https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/apply-who-permit-result.asp

You're a family member who has been included on an application for permanent residence
You may be eligible for an open work permit if you’ve been included on an application for permanent residence that has been found complete or has received a positive eligibility assessment. Your application must be under one of the following:

Once again, it only applies for family class / spousal sponsorship if you submit an inland application. Outland applications do not qualify for OWPs. If your consultant / agent told you otherwise, then unfortunately your consultant / agent is incompetent and you should request a refund of any fees you paid this agent.

Since you applied outland, the OWP is going to be refused.

It doesn't matter what you post here. This answer is not going to change.
 

gihank

Star Member
Aug 3, 2017
120
81
There is a legal loophole, i have known many people apply for work permit while outland spousal visa is in process and got work permit before the spouse visa and its a gray area not everyone knows.

Unless you are a legal attorney, the common consensus is that you cant apply for work permit along with outland spousal visa.

Guess we will have to wait and i will update you guys here.
 
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