IEC eligibility, and will this affect sponsorship?

[Canada8197]

Hi,

In my previous posts in another sub, I had messed up and it turns out I didn't have one year proof of common law. Right now I'm looking into what I can do to remain in Canada legally so that we can finally cohabitate together for a year and then submit an application for sponsorship.
I am from New Zealand. This means I am eligible to be part of the IEC program which gives me an open work permit for up to 23 months. However, I wanted to ask this; can I still apply even though I have been here for a year now? And will this negatively affect my sponsorship application for common law when we are eligible? And do I HAVE to leave after this work permit expires, even if I apply for said sponsorship?
Thank you in advance.

 

[scylla]

New Zealand has no residency requirement associated with the IEC - so you can apply even though you've been in Canada for a year. Whether you have to leave after the work permit expires depends on how you have applied for PR. If the PR application does not allow you to remain in Canada, you can always try applying to convert your status to visitor.

 

[xiaohan]

Just apply IEC, and make sure your passport valid for at least 2 years before your apply, otherwise they will only give to the date your passport expires.