Hi everyone,
I applied for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) from inside Canada, and my application was approved. However, I haven’t received the physical work permit by mail yet. I travelled to India after my application was approved, and I’m planning to return to Canada on November 10.
I have a valid Canadian TRV and my work permit approval letter, but I don’t have the physical copy of my work permit.
Can I board my flight with these documents and enter Canada, or could I face any issues with the airline or CBSA?
Has anyone been in the same situation and successfully travelled back to Canada without having the physical work permit?
I would really appreciate hearing about your personal experiences. Thank you!

Hello!

I am hoping someone on this subreddit can help. I simply cannot get GCKey to find my application, and I have tried contacting IRCC with no success. They tell me that my information is incorrect, however I went back in and re-downloaded my IM008 and verified the information from that form is exactly what I have entered in. I have been trying for two weeks.

I have tried the trick where you add spaces to everything, both with and with capital words used. NAME , NAME, CITY , CITY for example have all been tried. I've tried both by passport and place of birth but IRCC says both are wrong when they're not unless an agent entered them wrong into the system based on my application? I'm also a US citizen with both a passport card and a book and out of desperation I have entered both even though one is not associated with my application at all.

Is there any way I can talk to a person and get some help? I don't know what to do because I have my IM0008 and the information matches EXACTLY, even accounting for an officer potentially using caps or a space. Is there another form I don't remember that holds my passport and place of birth I can verify for accuracy?

Thank you for any help... I'm wondering at this point if it's even worth it to keep pushing. I have used the automated number to verify my application exists and is processing correctly, I got my biometrics and medical letters, and was able to update my address when I arrived in Canada without issue. Is it worth all this hassle just for GCKey?

Hello folks,

I was very surprisingly approved for a working holiday visa during the last round. I have a good friend and some other folks over there and not a massive amount tying me down here so i should be okay to pack up and leave within the next year. I've been working as a security guard in my home country and figured I may as well carry that on across the pond. However it appears that I'll need a Security License from BC Province (I'm going to Vancouver) to work in the trade. It's fairly similar to here as I need a Security license from the Irish government as well so I'm not too worried about the exams or anything. Mainly wondering if I'm able to apply for said Security license under the working holiday visa and if anyone has experience doing that.

Cheers

We’re planning to submit our application this month. Do I need to update my passport to civil status as Married? Any case where your civil status in passport is still Single and you were approved? Thanks

Hey everyone! I could use some advice, especially from anyone who’s been in a similar situation. 😊

I’m Brazilian, living in Canada on a work permit, and I have an eTA. My parents are coming to visit me from Brazil by plane. They both have US visas and eTAs to enter Canada.

I’m planning a few short getaways with them, and one of them would involve crossing the Canada-US border by car and then driving back to Canada.

According to the Canadian government website:

Travelling between Canada and the US via any combination of plane, train, car, bus or boat: Your best option is to apply for a visa, as it provides the most flexibility. If you’re already in Canada, you can travel directly to the US or Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon and then return directly to Canada by air, car, bus, train or boat without a visitor visa, as long as you return during your period of authorized stay in Canada. If you leave either of those countries before returning to Canada (including travelling into international waters by boat), you need an eTA if you re-enter Canada by air, or a visitor visa if you re-enter Canada by car, bus, train or boat.

After reading up on this, I’m still a bit confused about whether we’d be able to drive to the US and return to Canada by car using our eTAs. The trip would only be around five days.

Has anyone been in a similar situation and can share their experience? I’d really appreciate any advice or clarification. Thanks in advance! 🙏

Hi everyone

I wanted to check if anyone here has done a soft landing in Canada after receiving their CoPR and then left the country before receiving their physical PR card.
If the PR card was subsequently delivered to their Canadian address and a friend or family member collected it and personally handed it over to them outside Canada, would this be considered a violation of any immigration rules?
Has anyone done this or faced any issues because of it, particularly when returning to Canada or dealing with IRCC later?
Would appreciate any insights or firsthand experiences. Thanks!

Hi everyone,
I'm looking for advice from anyone who has experienced a similar situation, particularly someone who successfully obtained a new employer-specific (closed) work permit after their previous application was refused because their LMIA was not yet approved.
Here is my situation:
I was in Canada on a PGWP, which expired on March 29, 2026.

Before my permit expired, I applied for an extension on March 25, 2026, based on my employer's LMIA application.

On July 15, 2026, IRCC refused my application because the LMIA had not been approved when the officer reviewed my application. My wife and daughter were also affected.

After the refusal, I understood that I was no longer authorized to work.

Before the 90-day restoration deadline, my wife and I submitted applications to restore our temporary resident status as visitors. Those applications are still pending.

My employer's new LMIA application is currently being processed. We expect a decision sometime after October 21 and potentially before the end of November 2026.

My intention is to apply for a new employer-specific work permit as soon as the LMIA is approved. However, I would prefer to remain in Canada while dealing with this process if legally possible.
My questions are:
Can I apply for an employer-specific work permit while my application to restore my status as a visitor is still pending?

Can I use IMM 1295 (Application for a Work Permit Made Outside Canada) while I am physically present in Canada?

If I submit IMM 1295 from inside Canada and it is approved, would I have to leave Canada and re-enter to activate my work permit?

Would submitting a new work permit application affect my pending visitor-restoration application? Should I wait until restoration is approved first?

Has anyone successfully followed this route in practice, particularly after a work permit refusal because the LMIA was not approved at the time of assessment?

How long did your visitor-restoration application take to receive a decision in 2026?

I'm especially interested in firsthand experiences from people who were in the same situation, rather than general opinions. If you used IMM 1295 while physically in Canada, please explain how you handled your status and whether you had to travel outside Canada.
Thank you for sharing your experiences and advice.

Hi everyone, I used the new tracker to check my wife spousal sponsorship application, it says eligibility completed and background check is in progress, now what does this eligibility completed mean?

Hi everyone,

I need some advice on a confusing situation with IRCC regarding duplicate applications and a stuck completeness check:

Timeline:

* May: Submitted my original application.

* July 6: Application returned as incomplete (I checked the reason and understood why).

* July 7: Called IRCC. The agent told me to reapply because even though the returned file said "submitted", it would be canceled/closed automatically anyway.

* July 9: Submitted a brand new, complete application.

* Early Sept: IRCC returned my July 9th application, stating I’m not allowed to have two active applications on file.

Current Issue:

My original application from May (returned on July 6) is still showing as "Pending Completeness Check" with zero movement.

I’ve tried calling IRCC and even reached out to my local MP, but both gave the same standard response: it's currently under completeness check.

I’m worried this file is caught in a system glitch or loop.

1. Has anyone experienced a returned application getting stuck in "Completeness Check" like this?

2. Should I withdraw this file and submit a fresh application, or will that cause more issues?

Thanks for any insights!

Hi All,

My husband is sponsoring me to be a PR (application submitted 26 Sep 2025). I recently received the medical request and had it done yesterday. The lady at the clinic gave me a piece of paper, it has a photo of me, a barcode and some other identity/application details then she said I had to upload it to the portal. Is this right? I've logged on and can't find anywhere that I'm supposed to upload this piece of paper. There's no instructions to do so anywhere that I can see. When I click on the uploading supporting documents it says "There are no required documents for this Online Application."

Did I just get wrong information?

Thanks

hi I was wondering which section the proof of relation photos & description pdfs need to be uploaded. Would it go in Photos or Proof of Relationship to Sponsor? The youtube vids i watched add the photos pdf to the photos but i just wanted to make sure that its fine to do that. If the photos pdf goes in the Photos section then do i add the description pdf in that section too or in the Proof of Relationship to Sponsor section?

thanks!

Hello everyone.

Me and my gf live and rent in Cyprus over 2 years now. Recently we decided to move to Canada so we are closer to her parents. She has her PR card since 2005. Before a year she renewed it and she should live 730 days there until it expires again. Our plan is to stay in her parents house for few months until we find place of our own. My question is should we apply once she is in Canada? We have all the documents, rent statements with both of our names in them, photos, trips together and so on. Is there any difference since she is not a Canadian citizen when applying and how likely is it for me to get approved with her just moving to Canada?

Hey everyone! I'm considering moving to Canada for a master's in Fall 2027, but I'm honestly confused about whether it's the right decision given the current job market and immigration situation.

A little about me:

- B.Tech in IT with a 9.3/10 CGPA

- GRE: 326

- Currently working at Cognizant in the SAP/enterprise technology domain

- Have some exposure to AI/ML projects and interested in pursuing a master's in CS, AI/ML, or a related tech field.

My long-term goal is to build a good career and ideally settle in Canada. But I'm wondering whether doing a master's is actually worth it, or whether gaining more work experience in India would be a smarter move.

I'd love to hear from people who've recently graduated, are currently studying, or have gone through the PR process.

If you were in my position, would you choose Canada for a master's in 2027, or would you take a different route? What do you wish you'd known before making your decision?

I'd really appreciate honest opinions, especially from people who've experienced the reality rather than just the admission process. Thanks!

Hello, I submitted my study permit extension yesterday.

Background info:

I'm a third year at U of T with 6.0 credits (so second year credit wise). to be a third year credit wise you need 8.5 credits. Me being at 6.0 credits is due to a mix of lower course loads (I took a 3.0 credit course load last year so I could more comfortably make CS post, which is still considered full time), course retakes, CR/NCR, and late withdrawals. However my overall grades are good and I have 3.18 CGPA as of right now.

I also got accepted into UTMCIP, the uni's Co-op program, recently. on the advice of the schools immigration advising service, I took the time my Co-op program would take into account on my application.

So I entered in Sept 2024 and am now extending until June 2030. My study permit is set to expire in march 2027, since thats when my old passport expired.

I have already paid this years tuition, and excluding the paid for tuition my proof of funds comfortably shows funds for the following years, despite remaining tuition only being two years worth.

What worries me is that I'm applying for a 3 year extension and that being seen as a red flag. I'm also concerned that IRCC thinks that 6.0 credits in two years doesn't show meaningful academic progress. I included a client information pdf explaining that I have 6.0 credits right now and will get another 5.0 this year, 5.0 the next year, spend a year in co-op so no credits earned, and then 4.0 in my last year. Idk if they will think that is not doable for me, but I am very confident I can achieve this progress since the lower credit amount is mostly due to lighter course load last year.

Co-op would add another year regardless, so my original graduation date with co-op at regular pace would be June 2029, but still on paper a 3 year extension could be a red flag. Should I be concerned?

I didn't apply for a co-op permit since new guidelines say that this is not necessary and study permit covers this.

Also I have not been working in Canada during my studies.

Thank you.

Hello, I have two issues around the documents for my CEC employment experience sections.

1. My previous Canadian employer sent me a letter of experience that did not include any job duties, but they attached the job description I was hired to which extensively lists my duties. I also have my employment contract and pay stubs. Do you think this will be sufficient?

2. My previous UK employer sent me me a letter of experience that did not include any job duties. I have asked them for the job description but they haven't provided it yet. I have my employment contract, pay stubs and emails of me asking them to send me a list of my duties or the job description. If they don't provide me with any further information, will what I have be sufficient?

Any input from people who were in a similar situation or anyone with legal or immigration experience is greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Anyone in a similar situation? Any insights would be nice.

Schedule A: A separate and newly completed Schedule A Background Declaration form (IMM 5669) bearing
an original signature This must be received at this office by: 2026/11/13
Travel History: Proof of travel history. This must be received at this office by: 2026/11/13
> Additional Family Info IMM5406: A separate and newly completed Additional Family Information form
(IMM5406) bearing original signatures This must be received at this office by: 2026/11/13
> CV/Resume: A document containing a brief description of your education, qualifications and experience. This
must be received at this office by: 2026/11/13

Hi everyone, I’m wondering whether anyone has experienced a discrepancy between their work permit refusal letter and the officer’s decision notes (ODN).

I applied for an open work permit through inland spousal sponsorship. My spouse is a Canadian citizen.

My timeline:

● July 16, 2026: Submitted my spousal sponsorship PR application.

● July 21: Submitted my spousal OWP application before my existing permit expired on July 24.

● August 26: Submitted updated forms/documents after the PR application was returned for updated forms.

● September 18: OWP refused.

Here’s what’s confusing me:

The refusal letter says I failed to submit a PR application as the principal applicant under one of several programs, including PNP, FSW, CEC and FST. However, I applied through spousal sponsorship, not one of those economic immigration programs.

The ODN, meanwhile, explicitly identifies my application as a spousal OWP under R205(a), administrative code A74. It then says my PR application “appears to have been cancelled” and explains that the PR application must have passed the R10 completeness check.

I did not request cancellation or withdrawal of my PR application. It was returned for updated forms, which were submitted on August 26. I understand that not voluntarily withdrawing an application doesn’t necessarily resolve the completeness-check issue, but I’m trying to understand what happened and why the two documents give different explanations.

My representative has submitted a reconsideration request on Sept 25 asking IRCC to review the application history. I have not received any response or update yet, and I’m wondering how long reconsideration requests like this usually take.

Has anyone dealt with:

● A refusal letter referring to different immigration programs from those identified in the ODN?

● A PR application described as “cancelled” after being returned for updated forms?

● A reconsideration request in a similar situation?

● How long did it take to receive an acknowledgment or decision?

● Did you receive any updates while waiting, or only a final response?

Hi Folks,

In the Address History section of the Express Entry PR application, applicants must list their residential addresses without gaps.

Date ——————Situation
Sep 10, 2025 -Left Canada 
Sep  11, 2025 - In international transit
Sep  12, 2025 - Arrived at Home Country

Should I enter my Canadian address up to Sep 10 or 11 and my Home country address starting Sep 11 or 12?

How to avoid a one-day transit gap in address history?

What did you do in a similar situation?

I would really appreciate your suggestions.

I am applying for an eta, but I am currently a PR.
After applying for the eta, I created an IRCC account, and received the first request letter asking me to renounce my PR with supporting documents.
The page looked like this(after I upload my passport, photo, and 5782):

Then I received another letter, again asking me to renounce my PR? The page then had two new rows: (I didn't know what to upload for the two new columns, as I thought the system just hasn't receive my documents)

Then I received an email saying my eta application has been withdrawn, I am trying to apply again using the same process(eta first, then upload support documents)

If you had been through this process before, would you please tell me what I should do now.

What should I upload for the two new columns? My photo again?

Thank you so much for your time. I have read all official guide but they are mainly about physically sending the application... I really don't know what to do now. Thanks again.

AOR ON JUNE 4th
Biometric on August 14
Medical on August 17
Eligibility is in process
Background changed to not applicable

Received ADR for me and my spouse stating Schedule A: A separate and newly completed Schedule A Background Declaration form (IMM
5669) bearing an original signature.

We have checked our personal history, work history, travel history there is no gap in any of it. What can be the reason that we received this ADR

hi !! i have like a difficult situation where my family immigrated to canada in 2006, became permanent residents around 2015, but never received our first pr card.

I’m in my first year of university and I have an abroad trip coming up for a course that I’m in. I first started my inquiry about receiving my PR card around the start of summer. After many appointments and calls with immigration services, I was able to submit my application at the start of September. The officer I spoke with over the phone also advised me to submit it with the urgency label in hopes to get it on time (end of October).

However, I was never told anything about getting an Ecopr.

I am now worried that my application won’t go through at all since I don’t have one. I don’t know what options I have either. I know the PRPTD is one but it seems too risky in the case it takes a while when I’m abroad.

does anyone know anything i could possibly do at this point?

We got our CEC ITA in December, submitted our application in January, and provided additional documents in April. No updates since then. Should we be worried? Anyone in the same situation 😭

Hii anybody travelled to canada only on TRV as visitor after returning back home country before expiration of wp voluntarily nd travel only on valid TRV as visitor

How was experience on airport nd wht question were asked plz share appreciated 👍

Hi everyone, I'm looking for people who were in a similar spot.

My situation:
- Stream: BC PNP Express Entry – Skilled Worker (nominated June 26, 2026, +600 CRS)
- e-APR submitted: September 1, 2026
- Biometrics completed: September 21, 2026 (Vancouver)
- Currently living in Vancouver on a work permit, employed by my BC employer
- No final decision or eCOPR yet

What I'm considering: transfer to Seattle, around October 30, 2026 while my PR application is still processing.

My questions for anyone who left Canada (US or elsewhere) mid-processing on a PNP-based application:

1. What happened to your application — did the province withdraw your nomination? Was your PR approved or refused?
2. Did you notify the PNP and/or IRCC before moving? How and when?
3. If you got P1/P2/eCOPR while outside Canada, how did the landing work?

I know the official position — the nomination is conditional on intending to reside in BC, and material changes must be reported (I've read the BC PNP post-nomination guide). I'm also consulting an immigration lawyer. I'm specifically looking for real outcomes from people who actually went through this.

Thanks in advance.

Will my partner and I still be considered common law (living together for more than 12 months) if the entirety of that time I work in a different province for 2 weeks and come back home for 2 weeks and so on? Thanks!