China News Service, April 8. According to a comprehensive report by Canada's "Sing Tao Daily", for those who apply for permanent residence in Canada through spousal sponsorship, the Canadian Immigration Department has a special discount called "Spouse Open Work Permit" (referred to as SOWP). .
This will be very convenient for those who are waiting for the approval of their immigration applications in Canada.
CIC News, an unofficial immigration information website, reported that SOWP is a convenience provided by the Ministry of Immigration to foreign applicants who have submitted applications for spousal sponsorship immigration in Canada and are waiting for the approval result, so that they can work in Canada while waiting for the approval of the application. .
The benefits of SOWP first lie in the sponsored spouse of the applicant for permanent residence, who can reside and work in the country.
The approval time for spousal sponsorship immigration is generally about 12 months.
SOWP allows applicants to legally work in Canada during the period.
And this is an open work permit that allows the holder to do any job in any industry, regardless of employer.
Employers who hire people on SOWP work permits are also not required to obtain a Canada Labour Market Impact Assessment report.
In contrast, a closed work permit restricts the holder to work for a specific employer and in a specified occupation.
Another benefit of holding a SOWP is the ability to reunite with your sponsored spouse in Canada while you wait for approval.
If there is no SOWP or temporary residence visa such as a visitor visa or a study permit, the sponsored spouse can only wait for the approval result of the permanent resident application overseas.
SOWP makes it easier for couples or spouses to reunite in Canada.
In addition, allowing applicants to work in Canada while waiting for approval will help applicants gain Canadian work experience early, expand interpersonal relationships, improve language skills, and create a good foundation for successful integration into the local labor market after immigration.
Research shows that people with more Canadian work experience earn more later in life.
The person applying for the SOWP must be a foreign national who is already in Canada and is applying for permanent residence of a sponsored spouse.
Applicants need to have a legal work permit, study permit or visit visa, and have the following qualifications: have submitted the application materials for a spouse-sponsored permanent resident; a Canadian citizen or permanent resident spouse has submitted the sponsor application materials; the applicant lives with the guarantor at the same address; currently legally residing in Canada.
Foreign spouses can submit the SOWP application form at the same time as submitting the application for permanent residence, or they can submit the SOWP application separately at any time after applying for permanent residence.
If the person’s application for permanent residence has been approved in principle, the SOWP can be applied online.
Approval-in-principle means that the applicant receives a letter from the Department of Immigration stating that he or she meets the criteria for permanent residence, but has not yet passed medical, security and background checks.
If the SOWP expires before the permanent resident approval decision, an extension can be applied for before it expires.