Inland spousal sponsorship and work permit extension

[percyrob]

Hi all! this is my first time posting, but I've learnt so much on these forums.
I'm currently working on sponsoring my common law boyfriend for PR who currently holds a work permit, which expires in august, 2019. We've been living together for 4 years and have plenty of proof to authenticate our relationship. (I know we're late in applying but we had some personal reasons)

My research on these threads and the cic website has informed me that we need to apply for his PR and work permit at the same time, and mail it in the same envelope to the case processing centre. However my question is how to fill the form, do we select open work permit? or work permit extension?
Also it needs to be in the same envelope but can we categorize them inside, like may be separate folders titled "work permit application" and "PR application", or is that not recommended?

I would also appreciate any other tips/things to keep in mind while applying. We would very much like to avoid a rejection.

Thank you to everyone who can help!

 

[AMBriers]

Hi there, welcome to the forum! Hope you find what you need! It's been a godsend to me in this time of stress!

Think you're applying late? I applied with only a month left of my IEC visa. Was the way it had to be as my partner was in college for most the time I was in Canada. She got a very well paying job last July, we got our own place in September after living at her parents for a year and a half, and my IEC ran out in early November, so I only really had a month or so anyway to make sure we had all the right documents.

Anyway, from what I can recall, you need to apply for an 'Open Work Permit'. There isn't an option as far as I have seen to apply for a PR visa with a work permit extension (could be wrong though). When you apply make sure you pay both costs. $100 work permit application and $155 for the work permit itself. It's a mistake I've read a lot of people making as they only pay for the application itself and it incurs delays.

Don't need to categorise the documents too much. Just follow the order listed on the checklist and it should be fine. You aren't allowed to use staples or folders anyway (I recall it stated that specifically on the checklist). I just used paper clips for mine.

I think the option to apply for a work permit at the same time as the PR application has been extended to Jan 31st and I've heard it's likely to be extended into February too. Either way, as long as it's still an option when you apply, applying 4 months before your partner's work visa expires should give plenty enough time to get a new one and you shouldn't face too much of an unemployment gap if any at all.

Of course I'm open to correction on anything I've said!

Hope it helps some!

 

[percyrob]

Hi there, welcome to the forum! Hope you find what you need! It's been a godsend to me in this time of stress!

Think you're applying late? I applied with only a month left of my IEC visa. Was the way it had to be as my partner was in college for most the time I was in Canada. She got a very well paying job last July, we got our own place in September after living at her parents for a year and a half, and my IEC ran out in early November, so I only really had a month or so anyway to make sure we had all the right documents.

Anyway, from what I can recall, you need to apply for an 'Open Work Permit'. There isn't an option as far as I have seen to apply for a PR visa with a work permit extension (could be wrong though). When you apply make sure you pay both costs. $100 work permit application and $155 for the work permit itself. It's a mistake I've read a lot of people making as they only pay for the application itself and it incurs delays.

Don't need to categorise the documents too much. Just follow the order listed on the checklist and it should be fine. You aren't allowed to use staples or folders anyway (I recall it stated that specifically on the checklist). I just used paper clips for mine.

I think the option to apply for a work permit at the same time as the PR application has been extended to Jan 31st and I've heard it's likely to be extended into February too. Either way, as long as it's still an option when you apply, applying 4 months before your partner's work visa expires should give plenty enough time to get a new one and you shouldn't face too much of an unemployment gap if any at all.

Of course I'm open to correction on anything I've said!

Hope it helps some!

thank you for your reply, and all the helpful tips. Its definitely reassuring to know we're not too late.
The entire process can be overwhelming so we're thankful for any tips/advice we can get. Good Luck with your application!

 

[Mimszie]

Hi there, welcome to the forum! Hope you find what you need! It's been a godsend to me in this time of stress!

Think you're applying late? I applied with only a month left of my IEC visa. Was the way it had to be as my partner was in college for most the time I was in Canada. She got a very well paying job last July, we got our own place in September after living at her parents for a year and a half, and my IEC ran out in early November, so I only really had a month or so anyway to make sure we had all the right documents.

Anyway, from what I can recall, you need to apply for an 'Open Work Permit'. There isn't an option as far as I have seen to apply for a PR visa with a work permit extension (could be wrong though). When you apply make sure you pay both costs. $100 work permit application and $155 for the work permit itself. It's a mistake I've read a lot of people making as they only pay for the application itself and it incurs delays.

Don't need to categorise the documents too much. Just follow the order listed on the checklist and it should be fine. You aren't allowed to use staples or folders anyway (I recall it stated that specifically on the checklist). I just used paper clips for mine.

I think the option to apply for a work permit at the same time as the PR application has been extended to Jan 31st and I've heard it's likely to be extended into February too. Either way, as long as it's still an option when you apply, applying 4 months before your partner's work visa expires should give plenty enough time to get a new one and you shouldn't face too much of an unemployment gap if any at all.

Of course I'm open to correction on anything I've said!

Hope it helps some!

Hello,

I'm currently in the same process since I'm on IEC Visa running out soon. I was wondering did you get your work permit already if so how long did it take?

Thanks for the informaton !

 

[AMBriers]

Hello,

I'm currently in the same process since I'm on IEC Visa running out soon. I was wondering did you get your work permit already if so how long did it take?

Thanks for the informaton !

I am still waiting on my permit. Im nearing the 120 days mark (4 months). OWPs take between 3 and 4 months to process so I have been out of work for a while which really sucks but I've been able to do freelance work for people back home to earn some money. Best advice really is; if you can, apply as soon as you can to avoid unemployment gaps.

 

[Mimszie]

I am still waiting on my permit. Im nearing the 120 days mark (4 months). OWPs take between 3 and 4 months to process so I have been out of work for a while which really sucks but I've been able to do freelance work for people back home to earn some money. Best advice really is; if you can, apply as soon as you can to avoid unemployment gaps.

Thank you so much for the info, I'm awaiting my police certificate from back home in order to start applying thats the only missing document as soon as I get it I will sent it in.

 

[AMBriers]

Thank you so much for the info, I'm awaiting my police certificate from back home in order to start applying thats the only missing document as soon as I get it I will sent it in.

They only require a scanned copy as far as I know. They do not send documents back so sending something like that which you pay for seems harsh. I had a physical copy sent to me also in case they needed one however.

 

[percyrob]

I am still waiting on my permit. Im nearing the 120 days mark (4 months). OWPs take between 3 and 4 months to process so I have been out of work for a while which really sucks but I've been able to do freelance work for people back home to earn some money. Best advice really is; if you can, apply as soon as you can to avoid unemployment gaps.

Oh thats good! That you were able to do some freelance work while waiting. Hopefully you’ll get it soon!

So looks like we won’t be able to apply before the 31st deadline for PR and OWP together. And there is no update on if the pilot will be extended.

So my question is, do we apply for the work permit extension seperately then, online maybe? It expires in august. Currently employed in retail, so it doesn’t come under any of the federally skilled class. We intend to be self employed once all of the immigration stuff is done.
My fear is that we won’t get the extension since the line of work isn’t in shortage here.

 

[Mimszie]

Oh thats good! That you were able to do some freelance work while waiting. Hopefully you’ll get it soon!

So looks like we won’t be able to apply before the 31st deadline for PR and OWP together. And there is no update on if the pilot will be extended.

So my question is, do we apply for the work permit extension seperately then, online maybe? It expires in august. Currently employed in retail, so it doesn’t come under any of the federally skilled class. We intend to be self employed once all of the immigration stuff is done.
My fear is that we won’t get the extension since the line of work isn’t in shortage here.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/foreign-workers/special-initiatives-pilot-project/partner.html

Check link I believe it has been extended !

 

[percyrob]

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/foreign-workers/special-initiatives-pilot-project/partner.html

Check link I believe it has been extended !

That is amazing! I'm so glad they extended it. thanks for sharing the link

 

[percyrob]

I am still waiting on my permit. Im nearing the 120 days mark (4 months). OWPs take between 3 and 4 months to process so I have been out of work for a while which really sucks but I've been able to do freelance work for people back home to earn some money. Best advice really is; if you can, apply as soon as you can to avoid unemployment gaps.

Hi, hope you're doing well.

I was wondering if you could clarify something for us. Section 7 on the checklist -proof of relationship, says to select at least 2 types of document proof. But in the same section below the 'unable to provide' checkbox they ask for letters/texts/ social media interaction and proof of visits.
Do we have to provide that if we were able to provide the rental agreement/joint accounts/proof of address? I assume that it doesn't apply to us since we are providing the documents listed above.

 

[AMBriers]

Hi, hope you're doing well.

I was wondering if you could clarify something for us. Section 7 on the checklist -proof of relationship, says to select at least 2 types of document proof. But in the same section below the 'unable to provide' checkbox they ask for letters/texts/ social media interaction and proof of visits.
Do we have to provide that if we were able to provide the rental agreement/joint accounts/proof of address? I assume that it doesn't apply to us since we are providing the documents listed above.

From what I seem to recall from my application, we submitted a copy of our rental agreement and bank statements as proof of address. I also recall submitting a few examples of social media interaction after the 'photos of relationship'. Can't quite remember if it's either/and/or. I would imagine you would need something that acts as proof of address if you are going down the common-law route as I did (you need to prove you have been living together for the last 12 months for that), which social media/texts etc can't prove. Anything that shows that you have had the same address for at least the last 12 months should be good. bills, joint or individual bank accounts, rental agreements, car insurance etc. I was living with my partner at her father's address for a year and a bit, but we still had phone bills/bank statements etc. and I got a letter from her father explaining that he was letting me live there.

Hope this helps a little bit more. I'm still waiting for my OWP so I can't say for sure at this point if what I have submitted is 100% guaranteed to get me my PR, but it seems to be going smoothly so far!

 

[percyrob]

From what I seem to recall from my application, we submitted a copy of our rental agreement and bank statements as proof of address. I also recall submitting a few examples of social media interaction after the 'photos of relationship'. Can't quite remember if it's either/and/or. I would imagine you would need something that acts as proof of address if you are going down the common-law route as I did (you need to prove you have been living together for the last 12 months for that), which social media/texts etc can't prove. Anything that shows that you have had the same address for at least the last 12 months should be good. bills, joint or individual bank accounts, rental agreements, car insurance etc. I was living with my partner at her father's address for a year and a bit, but we still had phone bills/bank statements etc. and I got a letter from her father explaining that he was letting me live there.

Hope this helps a little bit more. I'm still waiting for my OWP so I can't say for sure at this point if what I have submitted is 100% guaranteed to get me my PR, but it seems to be going smoothly so far!

Right, that makes sense! we've been living together for years, so we do have a lot of documents for proof of address. We're just not very keen on sharing our text conversations lol.

Hope you get your OWP soon! we appreciate your quick response. thank you

 

[AMBriers]

Right, that makes sense! we've been living together for years, so we do have a lot of documents for proof of address. We're just not very keen on sharing our text conversations lol.

Hope you get your OWP soon! we appreciate your quick response. thank you

No worries. We didn't share text conversation. It'd just be awkward for other people to read in all honesty. If you have plenty of proof you should be fine.

And I hope so too! A lot hanging on it!

 

[Mimszie]

No worries. We didn't share text conversation. It'd just be awkward for other people to read in all honesty. If you have plenty of proof you should be fine.

And I hope so too! A lot hanging on it!

Hi,

Hoping you can help me with this since i'm also on the IEC work permit. When I fill in the work permit application which option should I choose:

Apply for a work permit same employer, restore status as a worker, new permit or with new employer.

Thanks for the help !