# Open Work Permit Question
**URL:** https://discourse.settlement.org/t/open-work-permit-question/7967
**Category:** Sponsoring Family
**Created:** [July 31, 2017, 8:23am UTC](https://discourse.settlement.org/t/open-work-permit-question/7967 "2017-07-31T08:23:26Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@giuseppe1795](https://discourse.settlement.org/u/giuseppe1795)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2017, 8:23am UTC](https://discourse.settlement.org/t/open-work-permit-question/7967/1 "2017-07-31T08:23:26Z")
Hi there.
I’m italian I’m married to a PR holder.
Me and my wife got married the 26 of February. At that time I had no status in Canada. After the marriage we decided to go to Italy so i could introduce her to my family. Now we are planning to come back to Canada and I want to apply for a work permit, sponsorship and permanent resident.
My question is is there a way for me to apply for a OWP at the border since my wife is a PR? If not how long does it take to obtain a work permit from when I apply in land?
What could I do to support my wife while waiting for the PR?
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### Author:  [@PMM](https://discourse.settlement.org/u/PMM)
#### Post date: [July 31, 2017, 1:37pm UTC](https://discourse.settlement.org/t/open-work-permit-question/7967/2 "2017-07-31T13:37:51Z")
Hi
> [@giuseppe1795](#):
>
> Hi there.
>
> I’m italian I’m married to a PR holder.
>
> Me and my wife got married the 26 of February. At that time I had no status in Canada. After the marriage we decided to go to Italy so i could introduce her to my family. Now we are planning to come back to Canada and I want to apply for a work permit, sponsorship and permanent resident.
>
> My question is is there a way for me to apply for a OWP at the border since my wife is a PR? If not how long does it take to obtain a work permit from when I apply in land?
>
> What could I do to support my wife while waiting for the PR?
1. No, if you are admitted (you know that you require an ETA to return to Canada by Air?) you would include a request for an OWP with the “in Canada” spousal application. The processing time is 4 months.
2. Well you can’t work until you receive the OWP.