CEC ITA received after marriage – travel, BOWP, and sponsorship vs CEC

[AB_18]

I am a Canadian citizen currently living in the USA on a valid work permit. My wife lives and works in Canada on a valid work permit with a TRV expiring in May 2026. We got married on December 1, 2025, and four days after the marriage she received an ITA under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). We are planning to accept the ITA and submit the PR application (including medicals and documents) by the end of January 2026.

We would appreciate guidance on the following:

1. CEC vs Spousal Sponsorship
   Should she accept the CEC ITA and submit the PR application by adding me as a non-accompanying spouse, or would it be better to decline the ITA and apply later under spousal sponsorship? Which route is generally recommended in this situation?
2. Travel while PR application is in process
   After submitting the PR application and receiving AOR, is she legally allowed to travel outside Canada (specifically to the USA) while the application is being processed, or does she need to remain physically in Canada until a final PR decision is made?
3. Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
   We understand she may be eligible for a BOWP after receiving AOR:
   • Can she apply for a BOWP immediately after receiving AOR?
   • If she applies for a BOWP while her current work permit is still valid, can she travel to the USA and re-enter Canada without issues, or does she need to remain in Canada until the BOWP decision is made?
4. After BOWP approval / Portal emails
   Once the BOWP is approved, can she stay in the USA and travel back to Canada only when she receives the PR Portal 1 email, or does she need to continue living and working in Canada until a final PR decision is made?

Thank you in advance for your help and experiences

 

[canuck78]

I am a Canadian citizen currently living in the USA on a valid work permit. My wife lives and works in Canada on a valid work permit with a TRV expiring in May 2026. We got married on December 1, 2025, and four days after the marriage she received an ITA under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). We are planning to accept the ITA and submit the PR application (including medicals and documents) by the end of January 2026.

We would appreciate guidance on the following:

1. CEC vs Spousal Sponsorship
   Should she accept the CEC ITA and submit the PR application by adding me as a non-accompanying spouse, or would it be better to decline the ITA and apply later under spousal sponsorship? Which route is generally recommended in this situation?
2. Travel while PR application is in process
   After submitting the PR application and receiving AOR, is she legally allowed to travel outside Canada (specifically to the USA) while the application is being processed, or does she need to remain physically in Canada until a final PR decision is made?
3. Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
   We understand she may be eligible for a BOWP after receiving AOR:
   • Can she apply for a BOWP immediately after receiving AOR?
   • If she applies for a BOWP while her current work permit is still valid, can she travel to the USA and re-enter Canada without issues, or does she need to remain in Canada until the BOWP decision is made?
4. After BOWP approval / Portal emails
   Once the BOWP is approved, can she stay in the USA and travel back to Canada only when she receives the PR Portal 1 email, or does she need to continue living and working in Canada until a final PR decision is made?

Thank you in advance for your help and experiences

Is she planning on living in the US or Canada? If she isn’t planning on living in Canada for multiple years and being compliant with her RO then there is no point applying for CEC. When does her WP expire? What type of WP? Do you have a long well documented relationship including time in person?

 

[AB_18]

Is she planning on living in the US or Canada? If she isn’t planning on living in Canada for multiple years and being compliant with her RO then there is no point applying for CEC. When does her WP expire? What type of WP? Do you have a long well documented relationship including time in person?

Thank you for your reply. To answer your questions She is planning to live in Canada till her citizenship. Her work permit and trv expires in May 2026. I have the following questions
1.So can she submit the ita and receive aor and can she travel to USA after aor for few weeks and then travel back to Canada will there be any issue at the port of entry because I’m getting mixed answers some say yes and some say no
2. After adding me as non accompanying spouse I updated my travel history and now they asking me to submit pcc even though I’m a Canadian citizen and an non accompanying spouse is it mandatory to submit my pcc as I will take some time to get it and till that time her date to submit her application will expire

Thank you in advance if anyone can clear my doubts

 

[canuck78]

Thank you for your reply. To answer your questions She is planning to live in Canada till her citizenship. Her work permit and trv expires in May 2026. I have the following questions
1.So can she submit the ita and receive aor and can she travel to USA after aor for few weeks and then travel back to Canada will there be any issue at the port of entry because I’m getting mixed answers some say yes and some say no
2. After adding me as non accompanying spouse I updated my travel history and now they asking me to submit pcc even though I’m a Canadian citizen and an non accompanying spouse is it mandatory to submit my pcc as I will take some time to get it and till that time her date to submit her application will expire

Thank you in advance if anyone can clear my doubts

1. Shouldn’t have any issues entering Canada after submitting CEC application as long as her WP is still valid. Once it gets closer to her WP expiring then there may be more questions about why she is returning. Assume she has a job, home and other ties to Canada and she can show proof of her CEC application. Once her WP expires and once she has AOR assume she may apply for BOWP, change to visitor status of even leave Canada during processing.
2. You are not considered a non-accompanying spouse as a Canadian citizen. You do need to be listed as part of her family.