Canada to make OWPP permanent, to benefit foreign partners

Canada immigration’s OWPP (Open Work Permit Program) will now be made a permanent program. This will enable common-law partners and spouses of Canadians to work while waiting for their permanent resident (PR) status.

The OWPP began in December 2014. After its most recent extension, the program was set to expire on July 31, 2020. After the decision to make the program permanent, Canada is now extending the program. The extension will be until the completion of the regulatory changes.

IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) has written on its website that the Canadian government considers family reunion as a core immigration priority. The OWPP is applicable to applicants for an inland common-law and spousal sponsorship. They are already living together in Canada. The partner applying for immigration must have temporary status in Canada as a visitor, student, or worker.

The foreign partners of Canadian citizens can apply for the open work permit Canada offers whenever they want after applying for permanent residence (PR) via family-class sponsorship. Open work permits aren’t limited to a specific employer. Hence, such permits will allow foreign workers to work for any employer in Canada. The only condition is that they must meet the qualification requirements of the occupation.

Immigration candidates have to satisfy the following requirements to be eligible for an OWPP:

• The candidate must submit an application under the Spouse Common-Law Partner Class for PR
• The candidate must have a common-law partner or spouse who is a PR or citizen of Canada who has submitted a sponsorship application on the candidate’s behalf
• The candidate must live at the sponsor’s address
• The candidate must have valid temporary resident status in Canada or an approved application for restoration of status with authorization to work.

Those who apply under the OWPP can submit their applications simultaneously with their PR application. They could also submit the application for the OWPP separately in case the applicants have already submitted their PR applications.

They can apply for the OWPP online if they have already received approval in principle on their application for PR. Approval in principle is received when the spouse or common-law partner has received IRCC’s letter. It states that they meet the eligibility requirements for PR, but haven’t passed the background, security, and medical checks.

Those who havegot the OWPP must submit an application to extend their permits on time before the expiry date.

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit, Invest or Migrate to Canada, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company.

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