Already have an IEC working visa and want to become a pr

[jmaus]

hello

i am on my second IEC working holiday visa which allows me to openly work anywhere in Canada for two years at a time. I am an Australian Citizen dating a Canadian Citizen.

I would like to start my application process and have my boyfriend sponsor me as we are a common law couple.

i just have a few questions which i am finding difficult to find answers on the cic website.

I will be applying for pr from within canada with a valid IEC working holiday visa (this expires 2016)

i keep reading that i will lose legal status and will not be able to work or travel while i await my residency, could you please help me with clarifying this?

Ideally i would like to be able to keep working in canada and also being about to go on holidays out of canada while applying and awaiting approval for my pr.

If anyone has any advice i would really appreciate it.

thank you

 

[MilesAway]

You can and should apply outland. Sydney is a fast office.

If you apply inland, then yes, it is not advised to travel or leave the country while your application is being processed (2 years, more or less). You can travel if you apply outland, and you can remain in Canada as well, and continue working as long as you have a valid work permit.

 

[jmaus]

wonderful! thank you for the help..

Do i just go home and send the application to sydney and come right back? or will i need to stay for x amount of time??

thanks again!!! i having been pulling my hair out trying to find answers

 

[MilesAway]

First off, you send the application to Mississauga. You can send it from Canada. There is no requirement for you to leave Canada.

 

[jmaus]

so i just use the outland application and stay in canada the whole time (unless and interview is requested?)

 

[MilesAway]

Yes. Interviews are seldom required for Aussie applicants, unless you have criminality issues or a questionable relationship story.

 

[jmaus]

this is wonderful news!!!

just to confirm this is correct - If your spouse, partner or dependent child lives outside Canada, use the Application to Sponsor a Member of the Family Class.. is this the one i am using even tho i technically and living in canada...?

 

[Ponga]

this is wonderful news!!!

just to confirm this is correct - If your spouse, partner or dependent child lives outside Canada, use the Application to Sponsor a Member of the Family Class.. is this the one i am using even tho i technically and living in canada...?

Yes, but you still need to maintain your status (which will become visitor status if your IEC expires before you get your PR) while you are `visiting' your spouse IN Canada.

 

[jmaus]

how do i maintain my legal status??? i still have 15 months on my visa and if i haven't been approved yet is there a process i take to get that visit status???

 

[MilesAway]

The chances of it taking more than 15 months are pretty slim to say the least.

If, by some series of SNAFUS (yours or CIC's) you have not been approved by then, then you would apply to change your status to visitor, about 30 days before your work visa expires.

 

[jmaus]

GREAT! thank you!!!!!!

you have been so helpful.