OWP Questions

[VGR1990]

I recently found out about the pilot program started in December about CIC offering OWPs to Spousal Sponsorship Applications before they get PR status. What am I supposed to put for the details of intended work in Canada? Is that just where I would like to work? Is it a job offer? If I don't have a job offer, do I leave that blank?

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Did you apply inland or outland?

 

[VGR1990]

Inland.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

That's too bad, outland is a far better and faster choice for an American.

For the intended work section, you can just put N/A or Open Work Permit.

 

[VGR1990]

Well we haven't submitted yet, so I could change it to outland. But the problem is, can I apply for an open work permit if I choose outland? And the processing time for outland in Los Angeles is 34 months or something isn't it? And if I get called for an interview, wouldn't I have to go to LA?

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Well we haven't submitted yet, so I could change it to outland. But the problem is, can I apply for an open work permit if I choose outland? And the processing time for outland in Los Angeles is 34 months or something isn't it? And if I get called for an interview, wouldn't I have to go to LA?

There is no OWP option with outland. If you look at the CIC processing offices, you'll see that outland apps are processed in Ottawa, not LA. Ottawa averages 6-8 months. Last year, they were churning out apps in around 4 months. Apps only go to LA if an interview is needed; as an American, provided you have solid relationship evidence, there is pretty much no chance of being called for an interview.

You can tie yourself to the 2 year inland process, where it is recommended that you don't leave Canada at all during that time. Or you can apply outland, where you will probably a PR in 6-8 months and can leave Canada if you need to without risking your PR app.

It's up to you to decide if that few extra months of being able to work is worth it to apply inland. You won't find anyone on here that will recommend inland for an American.

 

[VGR1990]

Where did you get the processing time for the Ottawa centre? The CIC website says outland applications processed there take 15 months, not 8. Could I be looking at the wrong section or is 15 worst case scenario? I apologize for so many questions, I just don't know where else to go but here. We can't afford a lawyer...

 

[SchnookoLoly]

The numbers quoted on CIC's website are the time it takes for 80% of applications to be processed - it says this right at the top. So the majority of cases (79% of cases) go FASTER than 15 months, and for straight-forward applications (nothing complicated in the app) it's usually roughly half that. Rob_TO I believe has an Ottawa spreadsheet linked in his signature, you can see actual processing times from people on here.

(As an example, the office in London quotes 29 months for processing, however London is dealing with overflow from Pakistan... the average time for Brits applying via London is more like 10 months. The spreadsheet in my signature tracks things for London applicants. The spreadsheets are FAR more useful for determining expected processing time than CIC's published numbers.)

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Where did you get the processing time for the Ottawa centre? The CIC website says outland applications processed there take 15 months, not 8. Could I be looking at the wrong section or is 15 worst case scenario? I apologize for so many questions, I just don't know where else to go but here. We can't afford a lawyer...

The spreadsheets on here are the best indicator. As said above, the posted processing times are how long it took for 80% of apps, not an average.

Don't apologize for asking questions on here; that is the whole point of this forum! And don't even consider a lawyer or a consultant. The members of this forum have way more knowledge.