Still waiting for work permit (spousal sponsorship). Any chance I can work in the meanwhile?

[LotteL]

Hi everybody,

as the title says, I am currently still waiting for my work permit (and my PR). The application for both was sent on February 14 (and it has been confirmed that it has been received by IRCC shortly after that). Now, from all I know, the processing time for the work permit should be a couple of months, but not 7 months. I would like to be able to work and support our living in some way and recently heard from somebody that because COVID19 caused processing times to delay, some of his friends were officially allowed to work in the meanwhile, while still waiting for their work permit. I haven't been able to reach anyone from IRCC to ask about this. Does anyone know more, can you help me? I would so appreciate!!!

Thank you!

 

[primaprime]

You need a work permit to work in Canada.

 

[scylla]

Hi everybody,

as the title says, I am currently still waiting for my work permit (and my PR). The application for both was sent on February 14 (and it has been confirmed that it has been received by IRCC shortly after that). Now, from all I know, the processing time for the work permit should be a couple of months, but not 7 months. I would like to be able to work and support our living in some way and recently heard from somebody that because COVID19 caused processing times to delay, some of his friends were officially allowed to work in the meanwhile, while still waiting for their work permit. I haven't been able to reach anyone from IRCC to ask about this. Does anyone know more, can you help me? I would so appreciate!!!

Thank you!

Normal / pre-COVID processing times were 4-5 months (not 2 months). You are right that things are taking longer right now.

You cannot work until the OWP has been approved.

I'm not sure what you heard / read. Most likely the friend had a valid work permit before the OWP application was submitted and this has allowed him to continue working while he waits for the OWP to be approved. Unless you had a valid work permit before the OWP application was submitted, you have to wait for the approval before you can work.