BC PNP Time Running Out - Assistance Required

[CSKG]

Hi all,

I hope someone is able to help me with my situation. Or, that somebody is in the same situation as me and has a better understanding of my options than I do.


Here's my situation. I arrived in Canada in March 2014 on an IEC Visa. Got a job, who were willing to sponsor me for PNP. Submitted PNP application in Sept 2014. File No: SO-14-59XX.

Cue, processing times increasing by the week. Initially when I submitted I think it was 10-12 weeks, over time that has increased to 10-13 months. Very frustrating.

As I understand my IEC Visa cannot be extended, nor does it provide Implied Status if I were to apply for an extension or BOWP (knowing I'd get rejected due to no AOR, but to buy some time).

My current IEC work permit expires in mid March, so time is running out. Cue, my backup plan slipping away, IEC's for 2015 are now not being released until mid Feb with a 6 week processing time.


My question is,

Do I have any choice but to apply for another IEC Visa and hope it's accepted and processed in time. While also praying my PNP AOR comes back in time?

Or is there another way anybody on here can think of that would allow me to continue working until either come back?

Or is my only option to switch to a Visitor Visa, and hope that I have enough funds to see me through and that my company are willing to wait, possibly for weeks while I take unpaid leave until either comes back?

Thanks

 

[mirko.alilovic]

Hi all,

I hope someone is able to help me with my situation. Or, that somebody is in the same situation as me and has a better understanding of my options than I do.


Here's my situation. I arrived in Canada in March 2014 on an IEC Visa. Got a job, who were willing to sponsor me for PNP. Submitted PNP application in Sept 2014. File No: SO-14-59XX.

Cue, processing times increasing by the week. Initially when I submitted I think it was 10-12 weeks, over time that has increased to 10-13 months. Very frustrating.

As I understand my IEC Visa cannot be extended, nor does it provide Implied Status if I were to apply for an extension or BOWP (knowing I'd get rejected due to no AOR, but to buy some time).

My current IEC work permit expires in mid March, so time is running out. Cue, my backup plan slipping away, IEC's for 2015 are now not being released until mid Feb with a 6 week processing time.


My question is,

Do I have any choice but to apply for another IEC Visa and hope it's accepted and processed in time. While also praying my PNP AOR comes back in time?

why do you think your AOR from BC PNP will help you in any way?

Or is there another way anybody on here can think of that would allow me to continue working until either come back?

LMIA

Or is my only option to switch to a Visitor Visa, and hope that I have enough funds to see me through and that my company are willing to wait, possibly for weeks while I take unpaid leave until either comes back?

That's exactly what I did

Thanks

 

[liisa227]

Here's what I did in 2013 - basically the same thing that's already been suggested..

I was also initially in Canada with an IEC visa. Me and my employer applied for BCPNP in early November 2013. My IEC expired at the end of November 2013 and I wasn't eligible for an extension. So I flew home for a few weeks and then came back to Canada on a visitor visa. My employer was willing to wait for me and I had enough savings so that I could support myself for a while without working (ended up being 2.5 months). I got my PNP certificate early February 2014 and went to Peace Arch to do my landing, then went back to work and started prepping for my PR application.

Like mirko.alilovic said, PNP file number won't help you. In your case you can only get a new work permit through 1) the PNP certificate and the support letter they issue, 2) a new IEC, or 3) positive LMIA.

I think there's still a chance you'll get your certificate in the spring, so that between your IEC expiry or receiving PNP certificate/getting new IEC there wouldn't necessarily be that big of a gap. But you should definitely put as much money aside as you can right now just in case your unpaid leave ends up having to stretch - I would've been completely screwed if I hadn't started gathering money early enough (I knew well in advance that I was only going to apply right before my visa expiry, so I was aware that I'd had to go at least a few months without getting paid).

Also there's usually a thread here somewhere where people list the timeline of their PNP application processing ("BC PNP September 2014 applicants" or something to that effect). It basically tells you what application number range they're processing right now, and should give you a general idea how much time there is between the application date and acceptance/rejection date.

 

[CSKG]

Thanks Mirko and Liisa.

I had thought as much. My employer hasn't ever employed anyone through LMIA, so I would think that would take too long to arrange in the timeframe I have. Plus paying $1000 probably won't be too appealing.

I guess I'll just have to hope that my employer is willing to let me take some unpaid leave and pray that the IEC or PNP AOR come through soon and without issue.

I've been watching like a hawk who's AORs have come back on the other threads, and counting the difference in months between submitting application and AOR. Based on the most recent numbers I'm looking at April so, if IEC are releasing their Visa's in mid Feb that might mean only a few weeks off as you say. Let's just hope they don't move their dates any later.

Thanks again.

 

[CSKG]

Also, does anybody know the process of changing to a Visitor? Do I need to apply for anything or does being from the UK (visa exempt) mean I just stop working?

Thanks again.

 

[liisa227]

Also, does anybody know the process of changing to a Visitor? Do I need to apply for anything or does being from the UK (visa exempt) mean I just stop working?

Thanks again.

You either send a paper/online application to CIC requesting a visitor visa, or you go down to the US and come back claiming visitor status. You do need to let CIC know one way or another that you're switching to visitor even though you're from a visa-exempt country, because if you don't and end up staying past the expiry of your current IEC, then you'll be in the country illegally (since you don't have implied status). And that in turn will get you in trouble once you reach PR stage and CIC finds out what happened.

When I switched from IEC to visitor I just flew home for 3 weeks and then re-entered as visitor. If you don't want to go back to UK, depending on where you live in BC it should be easy enough to do a shopping trip to Bellingam or Seattle or something. Flagpoling at the border can also be an option, although personally I wouldn't necessarily try it if I wasn't doing an actual landing. Also, be prepared to have proof on what your plan is and that you're able to support yourself as a visitor. Bank statements showing sufficient funds (I think they usually accept around $1000/month - they didn't ask to see my bank statements, but it was still worth it to have them with me), copies of any emails or letters you've gotten from the PNP office - usually the officers are fairly laid back, but in case they do decide to grill you, you need to be able to convince them that you have honest intentions and that you're only coming to Canada to wait for your PNP processing to go through (so that once your certificate comes you're able to go back to work as soon as possible), and most importantly, that you won't attempt to work illegally when you're not allowed to do so.

And just to clarify, PNP AOR means Acknowledgement of Receipt and normally coincides with getting your file number. AOR doesn't grant you anything on the PNP stage, it's only the final issuance of the PNP certificate that matters. (And since you already have a PNP file number, as far as I know you actually already have PNP AOR). Once you've submitted your PR application, that's when PR AOR becomes crucial as that one makes you eligible for a new work permit or, if your PNP certificate allows, BOWP.

Good luck!

 

[mirko.alilovic]

You either send a paper/online application to CIC requesting a visitor visa, or you go down to the US and come back claiming visitor status. You do need to let CIC know one way or another that you're switching to visitor even though you're from a visa-exempt country, because if you don't and end up staying past the expiry of your current IEC, then you'll be in the country illegally (since you don't have implied status). And that in turn will get you in trouble once you reach PR stage and CIC finds out what happened.

When I switched from IEC to visitor I just flew home for 3 weeks and then re-entered as visitor. If you don't want to go back to UK, depending on where you live in BC it should be easy enough to do a shopping trip to Bellingam or Seattle or something. Flagpoling at the border can also be an option, although personally I wouldn't necessarily try it if I wasn't doing an actual landing. Also, be prepared to have proof on what your plan is and that you're able to support yourself as a visitor. Bank statements showing sufficient funds (I think they usually accept around $1000/month - they didn't ask to see my bank statements, but it was still worth it to have them with me), copies of any emails or letters you've gotten from the PNP office - usually the officers are fairly laid back, but in case they do decide to grill you, you need to be able to convince them that you have honest intentions and that you're only coming to Canada to wait for your PNP processing to go through (so that once your certificate comes you're able to go back to work as soon as possible), and most importantly, that you won't attempt to work illegally when you're not allowed to do so.

And just to clarify, PNP AOR means Acknowledgement of Receipt and normally coincides with getting your file number. AOR doesn't grant you anything on the PNP stage, it's only the final issuance of the PNP certificate that matters. (And since you already have a PNP file number, as far as I know you actually already have PNP AOR). Once you've submitted your PR application, that's when PR AOR becomes crucial as that one makes you eligible for a new work permit or, if your PNP certificate allows, BOWP.

Good luck!

Not sure you can do that. The application you need to submit to CIC is called 'Extension of Authorization to stay in Canada as a visitor (temporary resident)' which cost $100, you can either submit a paper based or an online application. Yes, even if you are from a visa exempt country.

 

[liisa227]

Not sure you can do that. The application you need to submit to CIC is called 'Extension of Authorization to stay in Canada as a visitor (temporary resident)' which cost $100, you can either submit a paper based or an online application. Yes, even if you are from a visa exempt country.

Not sure you can do that. The application you need to submit to CIC is called 'Extension of Authorization to stay in Canada as a visitor (temporary resident)' which cost $100, you can either submit a paper based or an online application. Yes, even if you are from a visa exempt country.

When I came in as a visitor, I didn't have to pay for the new visa. I just told them at the border I'm coming in as a visitor, and got the 90 day visitor stamp on my passport. That's it. I don't think people from visa-exempt countries would need to pay for a visitor status in general, because it's basically the same thing as coming to Canada for a vacation. I might be wrong though.

 

[CSKG]

So if I submit a visitor application online, do I still need to go to the border once I'm sent a reply. I'm guessing yes but want to make sure.

Thanks

 

[liisa227]

So if I submit a visitor application online, do I still need to go to the border once I'm sent a reply. I'm guessing yes but want to make sure.

Thanks

I don't think going down to the border in that case would be necessary. If you apply online for a visitor visa, then I assume you will eventually get your visa in the mail, which is what happens with work permit extensions. Then you would just take the visa and keep it somewhere safe or between your passport or something.

But I'm not able to guarantee anything since I've never applied for visitor visa online. I'd strongly advise to call CIC and confirm with them (even though the call centre agents can be insanely non-informative sometimes). Call the general CIC customer service number and after you've listened to all the automated options, press 0 and you'll be directed to speak with an agent.

 

[CSKG]

Thanks Liisa

 

[CSKG]

One further question. Not sure if anyone can help me on this.

Will Express Entry help my file be processed any faster at this stage (waiting for nomination)? As I applied in 2014 and I know Express Entry is a new scheme.

Not that this will help me a great deal, as I still have to wait for at least a couple of weeks to get a language test. But, if Express Entry will actually speed up the nomination, then it would be worth a try.

Thanks