Experience Class Program vs extension of temporary residence

[Tanausu Franco]

Hello all,

I am currently in Canada with a 2-year work permit which started in March 2013 and will expire in February 2015. My employer just gave me the opportunity to continue for another 2 years, but mentioned it might be better for me to apply for a PR.

I see in the .gc website that it would take 13 months for the PR application to be resolved, so here is my question: am I still in time to apply for the PR or should I ask my employer to do the work permit extension, and only afterwards apply for permanent status?

Thank you,

Tanausu

 

[iam_toby]

Hello all,

I am currently in Canada with a 2-year work permit which started in March 2013 and will expire in February 2015. My employer just gave me the opportunity to continue for another 2 years, but mentioned it might be better for me to apply for a PR.

I see in the .gc website that it would take 13 months for the PR application to be resolved, so here is my question: am I still in time to apply for the PR or should I ask my employer to do the work permit extension, and only afterwards apply for permanent status?

Thank you,

Tanausu

Hi,

it depends on what you want to do in the future. If you want to stay in Canada and continue to work for
a longer period of time, then applying for PR would be your best bet.
If you only intend to stay for another 2 years and then go back to your home country, you don't have to
apply for PR and get your work permit extended instead, this would be way cheaper.
More information about the requirement for the CEC class can be found here:
>> http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/cec/apply-who.asp

If you apply for PR under the CEC and you receive the AOR ( Acknowledgement of Receipt ) then you would
become eligible for the BOWP ( Bridged Open Work Permit ) which allows you to continue to work until
a decision on your application has been made.
More information about eligibility criteria for the BOWP can be found here:
>> http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/bulletins/2013/ob485A.asp


Hope this helps,

T.

 

[Tanausu Franco]

Hello iam_toby,

Thank you for your prompt answer.
I would be interested in staying in Canada permanently.
I guess the question now is, how long does it take for the AOR to arrive?

 

[iam_toby]

Hello iam_toby,

Thank you for your prompt answer.
I would be interested in staying in Canada permanently.
I guess the question now is, how long does it take for the AOR to arrive?

As per current processing times around 20 days after the application package reaches the Sydney office.
Hope you've looked into the BOWP eligibility criteria, as you become eligible when your current
work permit is due to expire in the next 4 months.
You say your current wp expires in February 2015? That makes you eligible in October 2014, if you apply for the BOWP
before that, your application will most likely be rejected.
So apply for PR under the CEC now and then for the BOWP in October.

T.

 

[EU_2010]

Hello iam_toby,

Thank you for your prompt answer.
I would be interested in staying in Canada permanently.
I guess the question now is, how long does it take for the AOR to arrive?

I would definitely go for it. Gives you more options and makes mid and long term planning feasible.
Ask your employer if they'd be willing to pay or at least assist with your PR fees. Doesn't hurt to ask. I did just in case and was lucky that they did. A good argument is that they'll save the money to apply for a second work permit. Those lawyers ain't cheap.
Depending on how much you've previously travelled, maybe lived abroad before - it can be quite time consuming to gather all the documents especially if you need PCCs from various countries. So start looking into that sooner rather than later and start collecting the documents.