Clarification on SOWP Application While Under Maintained Status and Pending Visitor Record

[jhunmissionc]

Hi everyone,

I’m seeking advice regarding my wife’s Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) application and her current temporary resident status in Canada.

I completed my Master’s degree in 2025 and submitted my Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) application on June 2, 2025, before my study permit expired. I’m currently under maintained status while waiting for a decision.

My wife previously held a valid SOWP, which expired earlier this year. Before its expiry, she submitted a Visitor Record (VR) application together with our child to maintain her status in Canada. That VR application is still being processed.

We are now trying to apply for her new SOWP, but the online system says she must “restore her status” before proceeding — even though her VR application was submitted before her permit expired. It might be because we used the expiry date of her old SOWP when answering the questionnaire, while the VR is still in process.

I’d like to ask for clarification from anyone with experience or from those familiar with IRCC policy:

1. Should my wife proceed with the SOWP application by selecting “restore my status and apply for a work permit,” even though her VR application is still pending?
   
   • I’ve seen some people mention putting a future date (e.g., October 30, 2026) to bypass the “restore status” prompt, then explaining it in the Letter of Explanation — but would that be considered misrepresentation?
2. Would submitting a restoration request affect the pending VR application? Some say that if the VR gets rejected, the SOWP might automatically be refused as well.
3. Should we apply for the SOWP as soon as possible (within 90 days of expiry)? If that’s the case, our 90-day window would close by October 30.
4. Is there any recommended documentation or explanation to include to clarify her maintained status when submitting the new SOWP application?

Any insight or similar experience would be greatly appreciated. We just want to make sure we’re following the correct and compliant process with IRCC.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Naturgrl]

Hi everyone,

I’m seeking advice regarding my wife’s Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) application and her current temporary resident status in Canada.

I completed my Master’s degree in 2025 and submitted my Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) application on June 2, 2025, before my study permit expired. I’m currently under maintained status while waiting for a decision.

My wife previously held a valid SOWP, which expired earlier this year. Before its expiry, she submitted a Visitor Record (VR) application together with our child to maintain her status in Canada. That VR application is still being processed.

We are now trying to apply for her new SOWP, but the online system says she must “restore her status” before proceeding — even though her VR application was submitted before her permit expired. It might be because we used the expiry date of her old SOWP when answering the questionnaire, while the VR is still in process.

I’d like to ask for clarification from anyone with experience or from those familiar with IRCC policy:

1. Should my wife proceed with the SOWP application by selecting “restore my status and apply for a work permit,”even though her VR application is still pending?
   • I’ve seen some people mention putting a future date (e.g., October 30, 2026) to bypass the “restore status” prompt, then explaining it in the Letter of Explanation — but would that be considered misrepresentation?
2. Would submitting a restoration request affect the pending VR application? Some say that if the VR gets rejected, the SOWP might automatically be refused as well.
3. Should we apply for the SOWP as soon as possible (within 90 days of expiry)? If that’s the case, our 90-day window would close by October 30.
4. Is there any recommended documentation or explanation to include to clarify her maintained status when submitting the new SOWP application?

Any insight or similar experience would be greatly appreciated. We just want to make sure we’re following the correct and compliant process with IRCC.

Thanks in advance for your help!

1. When did her work permit expire? She can only restore status to worker within 90 days of expiry.
2. Are you in an eligible NOC to be eligible for SOWP?
3. Did she apply for VR before SOWP expiry.

 

[jhunmissionc]

1. When did her work permit expire? She can only restore status to worker within 90 days of expiry.
2. Are you in an eligible NOC to be eligible for SOWP?
3. Did she apply for VR before SOWP expiry.

1. Her work permit expired on July 30, 2025. She applied for Visitor Record on that same day to maintain her status.
2. Yes, I’m in an eligible NOC 22232 (Occupational Health and Safety Specialist / Consultant) and it's TEER2, which qualifies for the SOWP.
3. Yes, she applied for the Visitor Record before her SOWP expired. We submitted both her and our child’s VR applications before July 30, 2025, to maintain their temporary resident status in Canada.

 

[Naturgrl]

1. Her work permit expired on July 30, 2025. She applied for Visitor Record on that same day to maintain her status.
2. Yes, I’m in an eligible NOC 22232 (Occupational Health and Safety Specialist / Consultant) and it's TEER2, which qualifies for the SOWP.
3. Yes, she applied for the Visitor Record before her SOWP expired. We submitted both her and our child’s VR applications before July 30, 2025, to maintain their temporary resident status in Canada.

1. She can only restore status to worker today and remember IRCC uses UTC time so really under a time crunch. 90 days from July 30 is today. Google it.
2. Ok. Show job letter with pay stubs and proof of PGWP beyond 16 months.
3. What is the date stamp of applying for VR?

 

[jhunmissionc]

1. She can only restore status to worker today and remember IRCC uses UTC time so really under a time crunch. 90 days from July 30 is today. Google it.
2. Ok. Show job letter with pay stubs and proof of PGWP beyond 16 months.
3. What is the date stamp of applying for VR?

So should I apply apply for restoration of status? or should I just wait till her VR is approved. I am worried about some news related to cancellation of applications.
The time date stamp in confirmation of online application is 30 July 2025 02:27:04 a.m. EDT.

 

[Naturgrl]

So should I apply apply for restoration of status? or should I just wait till her VR is approved. I am worried about some news related to cancellation of applications.
The time date stamp in confirmation of online application is 30 July 2025 02:27:04 a.m. EDT.

She must restore status today to worker and apply for SOWP because it is 90 days as of today. VR is a different application.

 

[jhunmissionc]

She must restore status today to worker and apply for SOWP because it is 90 days as of today. VR is a different application.

One more thing, what should we do with her Visitor Record application that is still on pending review and approval by IRCC?