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waikiki

Hero Member
Jan 22, 2011
379
2
I've read somewhere, don't know where anymore, that it can be possible to obtain a working visa, while outland PR is still in process? My husband is here with me in Canada currently as a visitor, could he apply for that? Why do inland applicants receive a working visa after stage 1 and outland not? Where could I, if possible, apply for that?
For example, if I (canadian) would buy a business, let's say a shop, could my husband work there?
 
In order for him to receive a work permit, the employer would need to apply for a Labour Market Opinion and demonstrate that they couldn't find a Canadian permanent resident or citizen to fill the position. Your husband would also need to demonstrate he has the qualifications to fit the position.

Outland applicants do not qualify for an OWP because, in general, Outland applicants are not in Canada. Furthermore, Inland applicants receive an OWP after being found to be eligible for permanent residence (AIP) by which point in their processing the Outland applicants are ready to receive their visas and come to Canada and will be able to work, so they don't need OWPs.
 
An outland PR applicant is eligible to apply for a restricted work permit - as Charlie mentioned, if a potential employer could get a positive LMO (meaning they can demonstrate that there are no eligible Canadian applicants for the position), a work permit could be applied for whether the applicant was being sponsored or not. However, typically it takes longer to go through that particular process than it does to get permanent status as a sponsored outland applicant.

I think part of the reason that inland applicants are eligible for an open work permit (which is different than the restricted work permit an outland applicant would apply for) is because it takes 11 months before their application is even looked at AND they are required to remain in Canada for the duration of the process. Prohibiting them from working while also prohibiting them from leaving would be unfair - so once they are determined to be eligible applicants, they're given the ability to work. It's still almost a year until they actually get a work permit, though, and most outland applications are finalized (with the applicant then landed and eligible to work) within about the same amount of time - if not less.