Help Please!! Question regarding Common Law Sponsor/ Open Work Permit

[cwest18]

Hi all,

I first want to say this has been one of the most confusing processes I have ever been through in my life lol. Ok so here is the situation. My wife and I sent in our application around the end of October of 2015. We are married. She is a Canadian citizen and I am U.S. citizen. They sent us a letter saying that she has been approved to be my sponsor in January of this year. They are currently processing my information. In the meantime I also submitted a open work permit request to help get to Canada at the earliest time. This was submitted in January. Here is the confusing part, i received an email from CPC-CTD-Ottawa saying that they need a copy of my FBI Background check. Keep in mind I only sent in an Seattle police certificate our original application back in October. This is because my FBI check was not completed yet. So my question is did they request the FBI Background for my Open Work permit or was it for our original application? If it was only for the work permit will I be required to send it in again for our original application? Also since my wife has been approved do you guys think I will be approved for either soon? We have a newborn and it hurts not being able to live with my family. Any responses will be appreciated. Hope I wasn't too confusing.

 

[scylla]

You don't qualify for an open work permit and your OWP application is going to be refused. You applied outland. Only those who apply inland qualify for an open work permit.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

You can come to Canada as a visitor and be with your family while the app processes.

 

[Rob_TO]

Hi all,

I first want to say this has been one of the most confusing processes I have ever been through in my life lol. Ok so here is the situation. My wife and I sent in our application around the end of October of 2015. We are married. She is a Canadian citizen and I am U.S. citizen. They sent us a letter saying that she has been approved to be my sponsor in January of this year. They are currently processing my information. In the meantime I also submitted a open work permit request to help get to Canada at the earliest time. This was submitted in January. Here is the confusing part, i received an email from CPC-CTD-Ottawa saying that they need a copy of my FBI Background check. Keep in mind I only sent in an Seattle police certificate our original application back in October. This is because my FBI check was not completed yet. So my question is did they request the FBI Background for my Open Work permit or was it for our original application? If it was only for the work permit will I be required to send it in again for our original application? Also since my wife has been approved do you guys think I will be approved for either soon? We have a newborn and it hurts not being able to live with my family. Any responses will be appreciated. Hope I wasn't too confusing.

As mentioned, you don't qualify for an OWP with an outland PR app. So you should expect to receive a rejection notice for the OWP, however it will have no impact on your PR app.

The FBI check is most likely for your PR app, since it's going to CPC-Ottawa where the PR apps are processed. I believe the OWPs are processed in Vegreville. You should send it in asap.

As mentioned you can come to Canada anytime to "visit", and stay here until your PR app is approved. Just extend your visitor status as needed.
The only way to work in Canada (all not related to your PR app) will be to
1. get an OWP only if you qualify through SWAP working holiday program
2. If you have specific skills/education that qualifies under NAFTA and you can find an employer willing to hire you
3. If you find an employer willing to go through LMIA process to get you a closed work permit

 

[cwest18]

Just an update. My work permit got approved.