Need a very simple answer to a very simple question

[Gromit]

Hello fellow immigration forum users, I am trying to get a straight answer from CIC and somehow having a hard time at it. Here's the situation. I've been told it is quite a simple, straightforward one.

I am a Canadian citizen; my wife is a German citizen. We have submitted the application for spousal sponsorship in early April. I have been approved as a sponsor and her file has been sent over to Vienna for Step 2 of the process. Here's my question: Seeing that it might take 9 months (or more) for her immigration papers to be issued, is it possible for her to obtain an open work permit, so she can join me here and work while we are waiting for CIC to finish the process.

Thank you for any and all your input. G

 

[aerogurl87]

Since you filed outland, the answer is no unless she can apply for one through the workers stream. But just because she's your wife and has applied for PR, doesn't entitle her automatically to an OWP.

 

[scylla]

As the posted above said - the answer is no. She does not qualify for an open work permit since you applied outland.

If she wishes to work before she becomes a PR, she will need to first find an employer who is willing to give her a job offer. That employer will then have to obtain an approved LMO. If the LMO is approved, she can then apply for a closed work permit that will be tied to that specific employer.

 

[Gromit]

Thanks for the prompt reply. I had a feeling that that is the case, but somehow it's hard to get that as a straight answer from CIC.

I'm not sure what applying "through the workers stream" means, but it doesn't give me much hope.

 

[Leon]

Right. There is no OWP with outland but you don't have to kick yourself for applying outland because if you had applied inland, it takes so long that by the time you get the OWP, she would already have had PR with outland.

Like scylla said, if she wants a work permit, she will have to go the official route same as everybody else. There is one more option for a German and that is the youth mobility program if she qualifies, see http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/germany-allemagne/experience_canada_experience/index.aspx?lang=deu&view=d However, they are already out of visas for this year so it will probably not be worth it. You would have to wait until the end of the year for the program to open for 2013 and then you could apply for the visa for 2013 but by then she may have her PR already.

 

[aerogurl87]

Thanks for the prompt reply. I had a feeling that that is the case, but somehow it's hard to get that as a straight answer from CIC.

I'm not sure what applying "through the workers stream" means, but it doesn't give me much hope.

Haha sorry. I meant she'd have to apply for a job, get accepted, have the company apply for an LMO, have it accepted, then apply for a work permit. Or qualify for a work/holiday program like the one Leon mentioneed.