One Year Pilot Program - Open Work Permit

[spiderlily]

I am currently working on filling out the Open Work Permit application and I need some help! Any input is greatly appreciated! TIA

After gradating from university in 2012, I applied and obtained a 3-year post grad open work permit. It is expiring in October 2015.

I got married this February (my husband is sponsoring me), and we were debating whether to do inland or outland. Frankly, I don't want to be stuck here unable to work for at least 17 months (stage 1). We were kind of set on going outland until we discovered the one year pilot program, which allows you to apply for an open work permit with the spousal sponsorship application (instead of after stage 1).

First thing's first, is my understanding of the one year pilot program correct? Do I send both the work permit form and the spousal sponsorship forms to Mississauga or do I send the sponsorship forms to Mississauga and then send the work permit form the Vegreville?

Secondly, the form I found and am filling is the IMM5710E form and I am uncertain about a few sections.
1. Page 1, Question 3: I am applying for: a) A work permit with the same employer, b) an initial work permit or a permit with a new employer, c) restoration of your status as a worker, or d) temporary resident permit?
As I've mentioned, I currently have a post grad open work permit that's due to expire this October, which is the same date as my contract with my current employer. There is no guarantee whether the empolyer will extend the current offer or not. I most likely will have to look for new employment opportunities, which is fine with me.

2. Page 3, Details of intended work in Canada.
Am I applying for an Open Work Permit or Other? I.e., put "extension of current post grad permit" in the "Other" box? As for the details of perspective employer, should I complete the section with my current employment info?

 

[Ponga]

I am currently working on filling out the Open Work Permit application and I need some help! Any input is greatly appreciated! TIA

After gradating from university in 2012, I applied and obtained a 3-year post grad open work permit. It is expiring in October 2015.

I got married this February (my husband is sponsoring me), and we were debating whether to do inland or outland. Frankly, I don't want to be stuck here unable to work for at least 17 months (stage 1). We were kind of set on going outland until we discovered the one year pilot program, which allows you to apply for an open work permit with the spousal sponsorship application (instead of after stage 1).

First thing's first, is my understanding of the one year pilot program correct? You send the application in along with the spousal sponsorship applications, correct?

Secondly, the form I found and am filling is the IMM5710E form and I am uncertain about a few sections.
1. Page 1, Question 3: I am applying for: a) A work permit with the same employer, b) an initial work permit or a permit with a new employer, c) restoration of your status as a worker, or d) temporary resident permit?
As I've mentioned, I currently have a post grad open work permit that's due to expire this October, which is the same date as my contract with my current employer. There is no guarantee whether the empolyer will extend the current offer or not. I most likely will have to look for new employment opportunities, which is fine with me.

2. Page 3, Details of intended work in Canada.
Am I applying for an Open Work Permit or Other? I.e., put "extension of current post grad permit" in the "Other" box? As for the details of perspective employer, should I complete the section with my current employment info?

Your understanding of the pilot program is correct. CIC should issue the OWP within 4 months of receiving it (based on also submitting an Inland sponsorship application).

PGWP's cannot be extended, so you should treat the OWP as a new work permit (even though you may use it for your current employer). Since you should certainly receive the OWP prior to your PGWP expiring, there's no issue of working beyond the validity of your PGWP (which isn't allowed).

Good luck!

 

[d_desjardins]

Thanks for posting this! This same question has been driving me nuts especially after seeing the processing time.

 

[spiderlily]

Your understanding of the pilot program is correct. CIC should issue the OWP within 4 months of receiving it (based on also submitting an Inland sponsorship application).

PGWP's cannot be extended, so you should treat the OWP as a new work permit (even though you may use it for your current employer). Since you should certainly receive the OWP prior to your PGWP expiring, there's no issue of working beyond the validity of your PGWP (which isn't allowed).

Good luck!

Thank you. Based on your answer, I did the following:

1. I am applying for an initial work permit
2. Details of perspective employer: To be determined

I did some research and it looks like people are saying since it's an Open Work Permit, it is not mandatory to complete the employer info.

Now, one last confusion regarding submission. On the "Program delivery update - December 22, 2014" (sorry, I can't post link) page, it indicates that you have already sumitted application for permanent residence under the SCLPC class but have not yet applied for an open work permit, you should send the IMM5710E with the appropriate fees to Vegreville. In my case, since I haven't done that yet, should I send the IMM5710E with the PR papers to Mississauga together? What about the fees?