Hello everyone! I've been having a great timing reading many posts on this thread (I am half way through), I really appreciate the help and good advice everyone is offering! Upon reading, I realize my question is more a matter of opinion, rather than a simple yes or no question, so I thought I should just post it and see your thoughts and opinions. Here it goes:
I am a Canadian citizen, and I am sponsoring my beautiful wife Laura (who is Irish) in the Family Class, spousal sponsorship. I am very confident our application will be acceptable, as we have well documented evidence of our 2 year relationship prior to our marriage last month, and it seems like an extremely straight forward scenario (no kids, previous marriages, criminal records, very smooth). She has been living with me in Calgary since July 2014, and she is here on a 2 year IEC. The question is obvious, Inland or Outland. Our scenario is not particularly difficult, but as with all of you, our decision now will affect our future in some way.
Our scenario: We don't want her to lose her ability to work, lose health care and/or collect maternity benefits. She has her dream job now, and we intend on getting pregnant ASAP. That said it's not truly the PR that it most important, (that is the ultimate goal of course) but the continuation of her ability to work, thus also collect maternity benefits and stay on Alberta Health Care. Her IEC expires July 2 2016. The advantage of outland as I fully understand is it's quick, and you can travel safely *however* there is a risk of it being declined, or delayed beyond July 2 2016. I don't mind the potential of needing an interview in London. The only current advantage to inland is the pilot program for an OWP. It seems to me there if far less risk not having a work permit of some sort beyond July 2 2016 by applying Inland, and including the OWP. We would need to travel, and I am fully aware of the risk of not being let back it, however it seems to me crossing the border with the newly acquired 2 Year OWP (pilot program) would be just the same as crossing with an IEC work permit.
Is my logic sound? Is there anything I am not considering? I think it's truly that simple for us, looking for some opinions, experiences, horror stories, etc.. to help make our decision. Thanks in advance! We will be happy to share our experience as we proceed through the process in the hope we can assist others as well!
Glen