My IEC is Expiring but my PR Express Entry is still being processed - How Best to Remain in Canada?

[nottmforest]

Hi all!

I am a British Citizen currently in Toronto under the 2 year IEC Working Holiday Visa. My IEC runs out on September 1st 2017. I am wondering if anyone can give me advice in terms of the following -

I applied for Permanent Residency under Express Entry with my common-law partner (she is the primary on the application, and I am the common-law partner). We put the application in at the beginning of June, and a few days ago received a reply requesting some additional documentation, which we are currently in the process of attaining.

I am now concerned that our application for Permanent Residency will not be reviewed before my current IEC expires, so I am trying to work out how best to proceed.

My common-law partner is employed full-time in Canada, so is applying for a bridging visa, but I am self-employed. Having done some research, I heard that I could do a trip to the border and re-enter Canada as a normal Tourist/Visitor. Although this will not allow me to work in Canada, this will not be a problem for me as I can turn down all freelance work until my Permanent Residency application has been processed - I am lucky that I have the savings to do so.

However, I also spoke to CIC earlier today, and they told me to instead apply to "Extend My Stay as a Visitor in Canada" online. I would have implied status until it gets processed, and it costs $100 in fees to apply.

Has anyone had any similar circumstances to mine, and can you give me some recommendations as to the best way to proceed?

Thanks in advance for your help!

William

 

[vensak]

Your common law has right for bridge over visa and you have right for open work permit (spousal visa) that matches the period of your partner visa. I would say, that is the easiest way to do it.
Good luck

 

[nottmforest]

Thanks for your response! I'll look into that.

 

[nottmforest]

Hi there!

I have been looking into your suggestions and preparing my application, but there are a few things that I was wondering if you might be so kind as to help advise further about?

Firstly you said - "Your common law has right for bridge over visa and you have right for open work permit (spousal visa) that matches the period of your partner visa." Does this mean that I need to wait until my partner has submitter her bridge over visa and make sure that I list our intended work dates as the same? Both of our current IEC visas expire on the same day (as we entered on the same day), so neither of us has a valid visa at present and we'll both be implied until the bridge and open work permits are accepted.

Second question, sorry I want to get this right! For the spousal visa, I assumed that I must answer the question 'Are you accompanying a family member who has status in Canada?' as YES because my common-law partner lives here with me. However, if I do so, I am then required to upload 'Family Member Proof of Status (required) (where the help text says 'You must provide a copy of your family member's Canadian Citizenship or Canadian immigration status document (e.g. Canadian passport, Permanent Resident Card, Study Permit, or Work Permit).'

My common-law partner's IEC work permit expires on the same date as mine as I stated, so should I actually answer "NO" to this question, or what should be uploaded?

Thanks again for everyone's help!

 

[vensak]

I think, this might help.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/permit/extend/permanent.asp

What you need is the AOR of the application (you are accompanying dependent on it, so you shall have right for BOWP as well.

Good luck