Can my spouse from Abroad apply for work permit while we wait for sponsorship?

[tapecan]

I went to the Philippines and married my wife. We have been married since Jan, 2014. I am a Canadian citizen (born/raised here). We tried to get her here on a visitor visa last July 2014 with plans to do an inland sponsorship but that didn't work, the visa was rejected (even with notarized letter of invitation). I went back there in December 2014 for 6 weeks, and we filled out the papers to do an outland sponsorship, which I submitted late January when I returned. I am not being processed yet...

Can my spouse apply for a work permit and come over here to work while we wait? Preferrably the open work permit, however, she is also a qualified caregiver (has training certificate and experience), and I know someone in need of a nanny here that would be willing to hire her. Could she do that? Or are we just forced to wait out the ~2 years+ until my wife can be with me in Canada?

If that's the case, I think I'll take a TEFL course, and go teach English in Indonesia so we can be together for the time being, and leave my great job here in Canada. Wife over monies... we are both going crazy only being able to communicate with facebook and Skype hehe.

 

[scylla]

Open work permits are only granted as part of the inland sponsorship process.

To obtain a closed work permit tied to a specific employer - she will first have to find an employer in Canada willing to offer her a full time job. That employer will then need to obtain an approed LMIA - and then she will be able to apply for the closed work permit.

 

[tapecan]

Okay... So I need to convince my work to hire her on then. If I can get her here before my sponsorship switches to part two, I could get them to process it in Seattle USA instead of Manila too. I can deal with a road trip, but a flight back to manila just for an interview would be a big cost.

 

[MilesAway]

Seattle does not process spousal cases. Her application would still go to Manila.

 

[scylla]

Okay... So I need to convince my work to hire her on then. If I can get her here before my sponsorship switches to part two, I could get them to process it in Seattle USA instead of Manila too. I can deal with a road trip, but a flight back to manila just for an interview would be a big cost.

Not just to hire her on - but to also obtain the approved LMIA which involves advertising the job for at least a month to prove no Canadian could be found for the role and paying a $1,000 processing fee.

Agreed with MilesAway - her application will be processed through Manila regardless of what you do. If an interview is required (hopefully one won't be) - it will be held in Manila.