Criteria for applying from within Canada

[jeffmoonchop]

My wife is Canadian and I'm British, we want to explore all options and apparently I could apply for a spousal PM visa from within Canada but do I need a specific visa in Canada to be eligible to start the spousal sponsorship application or can I just visit for 6 months, send in the sponsorship application and apply for an open work permit whilst the spousal visa is processing?

Im currently in the UK with my wife almost finishing my PhD so our options for visas are: spousal sponsorship from outside or inside canada, or applying for fast track PM visa which would you think we should go for?

cheers

 

[Aquakitty]

I don't know anything about a fast track program, someone else will have to answer, or ask on the skilled worker forum . In the past, outland was faster than inland. But now, no one yet knows (they changed the immigration system a bit on Dec. 15 last year).

If you want to work a bit sooner, inland is probably better, as it takes about 4 months to get the open work permit.

As a UK citizen, you are visa exempt, so you can "visit" Canada without a visa during the process. However, don't act like you are moving to Canada until you have your PR. If you apply outland, you can apply right now and you don't have to be in Canada first. If you apply inland, you will have to come to Canada first, obviously.