Hi, my common law wife and I came into Canada 10 months ago as part of a Saskatchewan immigrant nominee program. I was issued a work permit that was tied into my sponsor employer only, and my wife was given an open work permit on the back of my job. I made the decision to leave the company as I was very unhappy. I have been offered another job in the same profession and have applied for a new work permit for me and my wife which hasn't arrived with us yet.

We have had some very bad news from the UK and would dearly love to go back for a couple of weeks.
My question is how do we stand with regards to re-entry to Canada? Is my wife's open work permit still valid even though I have left the sponsor employer. I still have my old work permit that is in date is this of any use? Could my wife travel even if I can't? Could you please advise us of our options? Thank you so much in advance

UK nationals may return to the Canadian port of entry without having to obtain a passport visa. In the scenario described, if a new work permit has not been granted by that time, one would have to seek admission as a visitor (temrpoary resident) only or seek a new work permit at the port of entry if that is a viable option.

There is no provision for cancellation of a work permit. As far as I am aware, this would apply to an open work permit granted under the spouses of highly skilled workers provisions.

David,

would you know which of the following have a quicker processing time, applying for a work visa from outside Canada, or aplying for a work Visa from within Canada?

Thank you

There is no easy answer to that. It depends on which visa office is involved, the circumstances of the case, and the mode of submission.

Thanks David,

Our new work permits have now arrived, can I just clarify that with valid Canadian work permits and being UK citizens we can leave Canada to return to the UK for 2 weeks and return to Canada to work without any problems from border control?

Thanks

Jon

You are eligible to seek re-admission to Canada without any additional applications, as you are passport visa exempt. At the port of entry, it is the immigration official's obligation to determine admissibility; the possession of the work permit should facilitate this.