Hi all,

I have some related questions about SOWP and the condition that says - "Unless authorized, prohibited from attending any educational institution, or taking any academic, professional or vocational training course".

Does anyone know if there is any way to interpret this condition or is it a "NO, NO" whether in-person vs. remote training or short vs. long term training course for work in Canada?

Specifically, does this condition affect the common health care (PAB/PSW/CPR) training required for popular health care support work?

Does anyone have direct experience with this matter especially the implications on future applications for PR or permit extensions?

Thanks.

Hi, No they don't require LOA but there are ways to fulfill the blank box since the cic portal will ask for it regardless.

My school immigration expert said the form doesn't discriminate between adult and kids so it does not leave out that part. However, the parent LOA is not the same as what is needed here even though you need it to include as part of the application material for SOWP. I added my LOA as part of client information for my wife SOWP. She advised that I write a short letter of explanation to upload instead of LOA as #1.

For the kids LOA requirement, I combined three materials. I sent an email to the local school board asking for enrollment eligibility or admission offer for my kids based on my status. They replied that the kids need to obtain their immigration documents, arrive in Canada and we bring the original documents along before we can get the LOA/offer/eligibility letter. This email was my #2 material to merge with other stuff here.

I went to the CIC website to download the page where it was stated that if kids come with parents studying with a study visa the kids don't require an LOA to apply for study visa. I converted this to PDF, highlighted the clause, and made it my #3 material. See website link below to explore.

Also, because my province (Quebec) require kids to also receive an approval before applying for study visa called CAQ, I saved a pdf of similar page from the provincial website, and highlighted the part that stated kids don't need to submit an LOA to apply for study visa as #4 item.

Finally, I merged all these into a single PDF and uploaded instead of the LOA. I also made reference to this clause and what I have uploaded instead in my family SOP.

Please, note that in some provinces, it may be possible to get LOA or other documents that may fulfill this condition either from the government agency or directly from schools. In such a case you do not need to go through the stress that I listed above.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/prepare/minor-children.html#toc3

RxOtunba:
For those applying for SOWP and applying for study visa for kids? I guess the study visa for kids doesn't need admission from any school right? LOA will be the father or mother's admission letter...or am I wrong? What age is qualified for study permit?

Hi,

Either option is okay. You can apply from Nigeria - OWP for wife and study visa for your child could be okay too depending on his/her DOB because by the time they land the child could be closer to 4. Put the pregnancy matter in a convincing LOE/SOP - it is a strong point for you. The fact that you stayed home for one semester is also a good point to argue you are not desperate (don't use those exact words).

When you land then you can send your SIN, Study permit and even local bank account statement if you want. Make sure you cover the POF part very strongly and remember that your POF from within Canada is more reliable and easily verifiable than from back home regardless of the millions of Naira.

A second (or even additional) option is to apply for visiting visas for your family through the new portal when you land without withdrawing the SOWP or apply.

It shall end in praises.

Sweetness24:
Good afternoon all pls i need your suggestions and advice,i got my student visa in November and i i just finished first semester (did online here in naija) and i havent travelled...i am planning to apply for sowp for my spouse and visit for my 3yrs old,now my wife is pregnant (found out recently) and i am planning to state it in the loe as one of the reasons why i want her to be close by as i initially use spouse and child as hometies,do you think that is a problem? Plus should i apply for them while in nigeria or i shd travel and get my permit?

Hi everyone,

Thanks you for the support through responses and all. We just received the written authorization for my son who has a visitor visa so he can be able to travel with the family - Mum has OWP and older siblings have study visa.

Regards.

You are absolutely correct about that aspect. My kids aren't vaccinated since Nigeria does vaccinate under 18's. So I have 3 un-vaccinated members of my family (all minors) traveling with my wife. She is fully vaccinated though. So your theory is not implausible.

19CannyMum:


From my understanding of written authorization, it's possible the reason you're being asked is because you have an unvaccinated member of your family. Maybe your child? Double vaccinated individuals are exempt from the need for authorization.

My understanding might be wrong sha.

Great and thanks. Can you share the link please? Too many updates on there and one gets confused

Bhyy:
From IRCC website, if you qualify as fully vaccinated then you won’t need any authorization if you are uniting with family member in Canada.

BTW, I sent you a PM request to connect. I will like to be linked the person you mentioned if they don't mind. Thanks.

Allgoodies21:




Alright thanks. It’s on the old portal. Or is it because it’s an application from inside Canada? He entered yesterday 18th

Hmm. Again, I haven't done one from inside Canada so it is very possible that is the case.

Allgoodies21:




Alright thanks. It’s on the old portal. Or is it because it’s an application from inside Canada? He entered yesterday 18th

Thanks.

Allgoodies21:




Alright thanks. It’s on the old portal. Or is it because it’s an application from inside Canada? He entered yesterday 18th

Thanks for the response. Please, you didn't mention when he/she arrived in CANADA. I need that information to contextualize my final decision on this matter. Again thanks.

Re: POF
Is this about the new visitor visa application portal? If so, I suggest you merge it with another set of documents and upload together. I am not familiar with this portal but that's what I would do if it is me.

Cheers.

Allgoodies21:





No he didn’t request a written authorization and no one requested that from him either. The only thing they asked was Arrive Can receipt. We have tried checking the requirement but there is no space to attach POF is this normal?

Hi,

I don't think there is any timeline for that. But considering your spouse has 6-months maximum to stay technically at once on visitor visa, I think the earlier the better.

But I have an URGENT question. Please, when did your spouse enter? Did your spouse request and received written travel restriction exemption authorization?

Thanks.

Allgoodies21:
My spouse entered with a visitor visa. What is the right time to submit application for SOWP from inside Canada?

Hi,

I think you should try the visitor visa under the new portal.

The same person who claimed they entered recently on visit visa without written authorization also had a pending SOWP. It was taking too long so they applied for visitor visa and got approved in 10 days. But they didn't withdraw their SOWP application.

Best of luck

jonosas:


Thanks, @Akannitommy

SOWP does not require written authorization. Only visitors need this according to travel restriction exemption rules.

But I am even struggling to confirm whether this is still a strict requirement because it is holding back my family in Nigeria. Someone just claimed they know another person who arrived Canada today (17/18 December 2021) on a visitor visa without the written authorization.

I can't confirm either this claim or the logic unless the rules have been relaxed and was not published. Even the airline we wanted to take Lufthansa asked for the authorization 6 weeks ago before they booked the ticket.

That was even before the temporary ban on Nigeria during which that letter expired. I have now re-applied for renewal or extension but no response yet after 2 weeks.

I am not sure what to think right now. Risk family to go to the airport on travel date or wait to get response to the authorization request? Anyone with similar experience or knowledge of this?

Cynk:
hi, pls my sowp application will be three months soon, should i go ahead and apply for this authorization? i am confused

Your spouse does not need travel exemption if they applied for and are using SOWP visa. I don't think you should withdraw your existing application. All you need is a thick skin and patience. If you want to try the visitor route then you can submit a visitor application along with the SOWP but there is a caveat. Your SOWP has a higher chance of success than a visitor visa application at this time of limited travel to Canada. But all cases are different.

jonosas:
Biko, I don't fully understand this new travel exemption method. Someone, please help: as a student that has applied for SOWP for my spouse, can I go ahead and apply for the exemption? Or should I withdraw the application and apply for a visitor visa then the exemption? Or the SOWP and visitor visa and exemption should run concurrently? Please advise.

I have not been is such situation sorry. But I think it is YES!

Awas:


please when you apply for the Visitor visa and you have a pending student visa . when they ask "Do you have an application in place? does the question mean do you have a vistors application in place or what ? what is the logical answer to give please?

Hi,

You (the visitor visa applicant) need to write a 2-3 pages cover letter like your LOE/SOP justifying why you need the written authorization with one or more section explaining how you meet the eligibility requirements (see the instruction link and click "How to Unite with Family Members" for more details).

Generally, your letter should have introduction summarizing what you are requesting and why. You then use each of next paragraphs to show one eligibility criteria at a time. The number of criteria you meet and are trying to explain will determine total pages of your letter. Then you need a concluding paragraph of course.

Typically, you show;
Evidence of immediate family members related to a temporary resident in Canada
How travel will ensure family reunification and provide mutual support system for you and them
Proof you vaccination status and show evidence
If you have kids going and they have received or applied for study visa's then say something about enrolling kids in school

Finally, you will add documents to support your claims because the unit in-charge won't go and search for you.
Copy of visa(s) and study permit, LOI from when they got visa, SIN, LOA, passport copy, enrollment verification of person in Canada to show their temporary status
If the applicant already has visa approved or LOI or PPR, they must add some or all of these.
Proof of relationship with the person -- marriage certificate, birth certificate for you two and your kids to show your relationship, any other document to proof this. BUT NO Family Pictures -- they specifically said not to add these.
Add the full vaccination records for both of you.

Merge together in pdf with the cover letter and make size less than 3MB then attach. Remember to add all your UCI numbers in the letter and/or body of the web form, if accepts. NB: Body of the web form accepts limited info but still needs a summary or abstract of everything without duplicating what you already have in the letter.

Best of luck.

LadyBlaq:

Oh ok, thank you. What document did you upload during the travel exemption application please? I applied for visiting visa for my husband and I answered that 'I am requesting for travel exemption together with the visa request' when I was applying. When I saw your post, I though I would have to apply for the Travel exemption request so I went to the page but i was asked to upload document to that effect.

If the application is part of a SOWP family package therefore treated and seen as a route to family reunification, be sure the VO will request medical regardless of age or visa type.

Bhyy:
With regards visiting visa, if you don’t intend to stay more than 6 months you don’t need a medical.

Hope this help.

The visitor visa was for my 2 year old who could not apply for student or work visa, so it part of the family SOWP application package. I applied for the authorization 3 months after submitting family application package. Approval of the exemption and final decision was made with 2 weeks of that application date.

Either way, all the information you need about what document to add are in the link provided by IRCC which I shared earlier.

LadyBlaq:
Hello! You said to apply for the exemption letter immediately one submits visitor's visa application and you also said it's only applicable to those 'holding' visitor visa.
Please clarify, do you apply for the travel exemption immediately you submit visitor's visa or immediately your visitor visa is approved?
If it's the former, what documents do you need to upload because the site is requesting for documents to upload.

Thank you.

I haven't used the new platform but I guess you need just one application for all three of you. The initial questionnaire in the old system (not sure if you also have this in the new system) will screen, create profiles for each of you, and determine/list key documents to submit as long as you answered the question whether you want to travel alone or with accompanying family members, appropriately. If the new platform is problematic or doesn't allow you to do joint application (like that), then I suggest you avoid complications and just revert to the old system since it is still available and functioning.

Pasterlo:
Hello gurus, I am applying for my study permit using the new IRCC portal. I have indicated that I will be travelling with my spouse and son. I am confused as to whether I need to apply for the spousal open work permit separately using the old platform, or is one form enough? since I have indicated that we are travelling as a family. If anyone has applied together with family members; kindly let me know the process. Please, seniors, I urgently need your advice. Thanks

Hi,

I am sure almost 100% (if not exact) of married students who apply alone chose that nobody is accompanying them. I don't know if there is an alternative to select family with accompanying if you are applying alone. It is not logical per the way the forms are set up. Correct me if I am wrong but that is what I remember.

I chose the same thing during my SP application and am sure 1000 more married students who applied alone chose that too. The Canadian immigration law recognizes family reunification and it is a big deal here. Among all categories of the restricted temporary visa holders during this pandemic, family unification is one of the only or few that get exemption to travel. Also, I know of multitude cases who applied for family immediately they received their visas before traveling and they all got approved. In most cases that we encourage and have seen countless testimonies here, family usually apply after student has traveled to Canada, obtained SIN, study permits, etc to support such application.

Again, in all these cases, they change the story from none-accompanying to now accompanying and not once have I seen the type of excuse in the VO's report. So that was the basis of my position and I maintain that stand. Consult experts who will look at your full application package (importantly, the SOP, LOI, etc) viz the GCMS notes to advise on the next line of action.

As I said, a JR is not impossible but I doubt the grace period to do that has not passed already.

It shall end in massive praises.

folla:
Hi Akannitommy,

Thanks for your time.

Please can you explain what you mean by the VO's excuse not being valid? Are you saying he is not correct by making allegation of us giving untrue statements in our imm5645?

See instructions here - https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/visitors/visa.html#existing

and direct link here - https://secure.cic.gc.ca/ClientContact/en/Crisis

NB: it is only applicable to those holding visitor visa who are reunifying with family in Canada.

GbemiBukk:
Please Akannitommy

can u please enlighten me on what a travel exemption authorization is

And how can one apply for that?
Thank you as I await your reply.
Thank you

Sorry I think I may have mixed things up a bit. I know holders of visa-free passports to Canada such as the US that get study permits issued to them at the POE. I don't know if this applies to Nigerians kids with visitor visas. But one thing is for sure they will get visitors record at the POE and this could be used for school registration. So that is what I should have clarified in my initial response.

Testimonytime:


Thank you for your prompt reply.
Please, how will they apply for SP at the point of entry.

I am very sorry hearing about this because the VO's excuse is not valid unless your application was not watertight enough. I won't advise you to reapply without consulting an expert on this. I am not an expert so please don't contact me for this. There are two possible pathways here. A judicial review or a reapplication but in both cases you need an expert immigration consultant.

folla:
Hi everyone,

My SOWP application and SP applications for my 3 children were refused sometime in September 2021. I applied for GCMS notes on October 1st and received the notes today (December 11th). It took about 71 days for the notes to arrive.

The VO's main reasons for refusal have been quoted below:

“Adult male and 3 children intending to join spouse/parent in Cda, currently in status studying a Masters. I note that spouse’s application was submitted.

On that application, husband and 3 children were listed as non-accompanying.

No guarantee that either will find work to support themselves and 3 children. Given that all deps were listed as non-accompanying and that SP adult recently arrived in Cda, I question the truthfulness of that original statement. Entire family travelling together reduces socio-economic ties to Nigeria. On balance, reviewing all documents before me including information available in the original SP application for adult female, I am not satisfied that PA would respect T&C of entry and leave Cda by the end of an authorized stay.”

Please, GURUS in the house should suggest how I can tackle the refusal reasons.

Please, if you have found yourself in a similar situation, how did you come out?

Thank you in advance of your useful comments.

(Pls note: Wifey travelled to Canny since early Septemer 2021)

I did my own Nikkah in my in-law's compound and got a Wosika (Islamic Wedding Certificate) with half Arabic and half English content. It was not even on the official letterhead of a Islamic society or any mosque. It was an ordinary designed cardboard paper that comes with a wedding pack. I have used it to get 2 US visas and 2 Canadian visas (in both countries, visitor and study visas). It was the same thing my family used for SOWP application and was successful. I don't know if my case is just luck or anything but that was my own experience. I didn't have a choice because that was what I had and won't go get a registry one just to be official. If you can get one and it is official please by all means get it but it is better to be consistent than to submit an unreliable document. If you got married long time ago like me (13 years) how do you justify submitting a type of registry certificate that only came into existent a few years ago? You know it is possible the embassy has specimens of these documents and know the time period each type was issued. Best of luck.

oldienavie:
Hi everyone, please I wanna ask if it is compulsory for someone to do their wedding in Ikoyi Registry ?
Can someone do their wedding in a registry in Oyo state and still be recognised by Canadian embassy for the purpose of sponsorship?
I see a lot of people always go to Ikoyi Registry, is that compulsory ?

Apply using the new visitor route for all of them. Only the 12 and 13 year olds need study permit but I think even with visitor visa, they can get study permit at the POE. Visitor visa through the new route can be treated promptly and then after applying make sure to apply for travel exemption authorization immediately you submit the visitor visa.

Testimonytime:
I recently receive my study permit and presently in Canada.

I wish to apply for my husband and three children 13, 12 and 3
My dilemma is what to apply for my husband as he is not staying because he has a good business Nigeria. Should I apply for SOWP for him or visitor? What about my 3 year old? Study permit or visitor. I sincerely want them here as soon as it’s possible because of my 3 year old, I do not know if sowp will be faster or visitor. I’m applying for study permit for my 13 and 12 year old.
Please what should the proof of funds be for SOWP and for Visitor? Iv done a year schooling already, though online, just hit here 2 weeks ago!
Please advise me.

Congrats and we thank God on your behalf. Are these study visas or visitor's visa? If they are visitor's visa quickly apply for travel restriction exemption authorization letters for anyone of your family with visit visa. They can't travel without the authorization. It shall end in praises.

elizyous:
What God cannot do does not exist oh!!! It has ended in praises for my 2 kids. PPR just landed for them. I am still expecting my husbands own though but God will surely complete what He started.

We applied on Oct 8th. Abeg follow me bless this mighty God!!!

I replied you with the details. Good luck

youngbilli:

Hi Akannitommy, I sent a PM, I want to inquire about the MPs you contacted. My spouse also studies in Concordia Uni.

This is another scary part. My brother was just relating his awareness of this happening to Nigerians coming Canada during the previous ban. He said these were people who went through 3rd countries. So I wonder what will happen this time around. If Indians with student visas were able to use 3rd countries to enter Canada, why not Nigerians with COPR, back then?

WisdomNG:
Yes, A friend of mine witnessed someone that was sent back to Nigeria from Addis Ababa. When they stopped Nigerians with COPR from coming into Canada in March this year.

Great. I sent you a DM request already. Thanks.

viviangogos:
Hello Akannitommy,
That is fine... let's connect

Great. I sent you a DM request. We are all waiting for the landing gist in Mexico. Thanks for the update.

phaeedat95:
Update be say her flight na 11:40pm...she got in it safely without airport stress. Her luggage was a bit overweight and she dropped some stuffs they took off some minutes ago...Next update will be after she lands in Mexico by God's grace.

Hi,

Good to hear this. Can you connect with me please and @viviangogos? My family was booked on Lufthansa too but we shifted the flight just to see how things are going. Also, to get travel authorization renewed for my son who has a visitor visa. There is a Whatsapp group for those of us caught in the ban already and exploring different legitimate option out. I am really interested in the Mexico via Lufthansa route as I fear our people will soon spoil the Cotonou and Ghana route with fake fake!! Please accept my PM and let's connect. @viviangogos, I will connect with you too, just in case.

Thanks.

Ikechi12:
Hi! I am going to Mexico city via Lufthansa too.

See instructions here - https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/visitors/visa.html#existing

and direct link here - https://secure.cic.gc.ca/ClientContact/en/Crisis

Kids are getting vaccinated already in some countries like Canada (depending on ages and province policy) but only people 18 and above are getting vaccinated in Nigeria. Unless Canada insist everyone coming in must be vaccinated regardless of age then you don't need to worry about kids vaccination at this point in Nigeria.

mazeb:
How does one request for the travel exemption letter from IRCC for his Spouse and Children that wants to apply for the accelerated visitors visa.

Do Children below 13 years need COVID vaccination ?