Hi all,
Any advice on this would be welcome. I have a work permit. I left Canada earlier in the year. Although it was only meant to be for a few weeks, it has become a significantly extended stay outside the country due to COVID-19. I'm currently in Scotland. My place of work is still operating remotely in most cases, and has cancelled all non-essential travel until at least 1st September. I have been given a one year extension to my contract, which was due to end in September 2020. I therefore want to extend my work permit.
The problem is that if I apply while outside Canada I am supposed to give biometrics. The only location is in London and in addition to the different COVID rules throughout the UK, it seems a little reckless to try to travel all that way (before even considering the cost and logistical issues). On the other hand, if I were back in Canada I'd either not have to give biometrics (current policy) or could relatively easily get to the appropriate service centre in Toronto if this service was restored.
I don't know when I can/will return to Canada (although I was hoping that the 2 week self-quarantine requirement would be lifted by that time, as I share an apartment in Toronto with two others). Would it be advisable to wait until closer to the expiration of my current work permit knowing that "implied status" is likely? Is there any reason, other than whether my travel to Canada is "essential", that I could be refused entry* within the last few weeks of my current work permit having not already submitted an application for extension? I don't want to submit an application saying that I'm in Canada (even though I would be had this pandemic not arisen) when I'm not physically there at this time.
A further question is: if I have no choice but to give biometrics in the UK, does anyone know of the time taken to get an appointment? They have only recently reopened, I haven't yet applied so don't have an invitation letter, and I don't want to have to remain in the UK beyond the point where traveling back to Canada would be a reasonable thing to do.
* On the understanding that I could be refused entry, however unlikely, at any time.
Any advice on this would be welcome. I have a work permit. I left Canada earlier in the year. Although it was only meant to be for a few weeks, it has become a significantly extended stay outside the country due to COVID-19. I'm currently in Scotland. My place of work is still operating remotely in most cases, and has cancelled all non-essential travel until at least 1st September. I have been given a one year extension to my contract, which was due to end in September 2020. I therefore want to extend my work permit.
The problem is that if I apply while outside Canada I am supposed to give biometrics. The only location is in London and in addition to the different COVID rules throughout the UK, it seems a little reckless to try to travel all that way (before even considering the cost and logistical issues). On the other hand, if I were back in Canada I'd either not have to give biometrics (current policy) or could relatively easily get to the appropriate service centre in Toronto if this service was restored.
I don't know when I can/will return to Canada (although I was hoping that the 2 week self-quarantine requirement would be lifted by that time, as I share an apartment in Toronto with two others). Would it be advisable to wait until closer to the expiration of my current work permit knowing that "implied status" is likely? Is there any reason, other than whether my travel to Canada is "essential", that I could be refused entry* within the last few weeks of my current work permit having not already submitted an application for extension? I don't want to submit an application saying that I'm in Canada (even though I would be had this pandemic not arisen) when I'm not physically there at this time.
A further question is: if I have no choice but to give biometrics in the UK, does anyone know of the time taken to get an appointment? They have only recently reopened, I haven't yet applied so don't have an invitation letter, and I don't want to have to remain in the UK beyond the point where traveling back to Canada would be a reasonable thing to do.
* On the understanding that I could be refused entry, however unlikely, at any time.