I am not expecting any movements for Oct applicants till Feb. CIC's most of the resources might be working on other priorites like,
a. First EE draw
b. FSW cc charge
c. Sep applicants AOR generation.
you should be getting your AOR before Feb 2nd week. If you are planning to apply for BOWP, you still can proceed without AOR as your CC has been charged.
Applying PR within Canada doesn't require PCC from Canada. How ever if you have stayed for 6 months any other place then your country for citizenship, need PCC from all countries .
You will be requested by CIC to provide reference letter once AOR has been issued.
Also it depends up on case to case basis. There were few of my friends got PR without reference letter and others were asked to letters or rejected.
depends purely on the VO.
No need for disclosing with the employer. You can renewal SIN only after getting your hard copy of work permit.
your SIN will be expired as soon as your work permit expires.
I am also in similar situation. However I will be applying through paper work on 27th Jan.
FYI. I am an Oct applicant still CC not charged. You are in better position than me. Proceed without AOR and add covering letter for not including it.