PGWP and Spouse's OWP Validity

[SatNight]

Hello,

My wife is currently a PhD candidate on a study permit and I am on an open work permit. Both of our permits expire in December 2020. However, my wife will be defending her thesis before this date and completing her program, so she will need to apply for PGWP.

I am wondering what happens with my OWP. Do I need to ask for a new one because she's not a student anymore, or wait until it expires to extend it?

Also, my wife is an instructor at her university, which is a NOC A job, but a contract one (semester by semester). Does this make me eligible for an OWP and if yes, for how long?

And a final question: what happens to my job? Am I allowed to work while she waits for her PGWP? (My OWP will still be valid).

Thank you.

 

[canuck78]

If she is defending in December 2020 or after she should try extending her study permit so you can extend your SOWP. If not you will have to stop working until she gets her PGWP plus can show that she is employed in NOC 0, A or B and has 3 pay stubs.

 

[SatNight]

No, she is defending by this December (December 2019). My visa will be valid for a whole year.

 

[SatNight]

Basically, I am asking whether I need to do something about my visa if it's still valid but she is not a student anymore.

 

[canuck78]

Basically, I am asking whether I need to do something about my visa if it's still valid but she is not a student anymore.

Yes your visa will expire in December 2020 irregardless of when your wife graduates.

 

[SatNight]

Great, thank you. That's what I wanted to know.

And after that I can apply to extend it based on her NOC A job, even if her job is semester to semester contracts?

 

[canuck78]

Great, thank you. That's what I wanted to know.

And after that I can apply to extend it based on her NOC A job, even if her job is semester to semester contracts?

Yes.

 

[SatNight]

Ok, great. I guess I was unsure about PGWP and how it translates into spouse's work permit. They didn't explain it fully on the CIC website.

Thank you for your help.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Great, thank you. That's what I wanted to know.

And after that I can apply to extend it based on her NOC A job, even if her job is semester to semester contracts?

Given the contract nature of her job, I suggest you apply for your OWP extension along with her PGWP. If her contract isn't extended through 2020 and she doesn't find another skilled job by the time your current permit expires, you would not qualify for an extension and would have to change your status to visitor.

 

[SatNight]

Hello,

This is a good advice. I didn't know I was allowed to do that.

She is already working and we can provide 3 pay stubs as soon as she applies for PGWP.