open work permit.

[markhalden]

I am about to submit an in canada PR, with my Canadian wife as my sponsor. Can I apply for an open work permit at the same time and if so how, as the CIC web site is not entirely as to how this should be done.

 

[RobsLuv]

You can apply for an open work permit with the PR application IF you currently have legal temporary status in Canada. If you don't, you aren't eligible to apply for a work permit until after you're granted Approval in Principle. So, if you currently have legal temporary status in Canada, include this Application to Change Conditions or Extend my Stay in Canada, and the associated fees, in the same envelope with the inland PR application and make sure the application gets to CPC-Vegreville BEFORE you current status expires. Check "Initial Work Permit" on the form and you will be issued an Open Work permit at the same time your AIP is granted.

If you don't have legal temporary status in Canada right now, you'll have to wait until after AIP is issued to apply for a work permit - CIC will send you info about how to apply for a work permit with the notification of AIP. One other note: it is possible that your AIP will be delayed if you don't have legal temporary status in Canada when you submit your applicaton. Normally CPC-V sends such applications to your local CIC office for processing, which means you're subject to the local office's timeline. Some of them are backlogged for more than a year - so think carefully about whether inland is the best option for you if you are in Canada without legal status. There might be a better way. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

 

[sanpen]

Hi Robsluv.....question...
If one is posting application from Calgary to CPC vegriville...how much time wud it take for CPC Vegrville to acknowledge it....
The postal time wud be a few days....but what abt CPC ackowledging it...I am askin this becoz myvisitor visa will expire by Nov 11.....and I am goin to put in the application on 22nd Sept so a lil worried .
Thx for the help.

 

[RobsLuv]

They don't have to acknowledge it per se - in fact, they won't. I suggest that you courier the package to CPC-Vegreville by Purolator, FedEx, etc. They can tell you how long it will take - I think Purolator is 2 days, and FedEx can do overnight, but you've got enough time that you don't need to pay a lot of extra $$ for fast delivery. Still, DO get delivery confirmation . . . that's important. You'll pay a bit more money than standard mailing but, as long as they receive your ap before your status expires, your confirmation of receipt becomes your proof that you have legal temporary status between the time you submit the ap and when you get AIP and your OWP is issued (4-5 months). Not only that but you'll have peace of mind from knowing that your application actually arrived safe and sound. Remember, you're not going to hear a word from Vegreville for at least 4 months - probably more.

 

[sanpen]

Hi Robsluv, many thanks for the reply....got another question..

I am including my extvisa and work permit app with PR app. earlier sum1 had suggested that this form needs to be marked "not to be approved till AIP' my question is should i write this at the top of my ext visa/work permit form. Thank u again.

 

[RobsLuv]

I saw another post earlier where someone had been advised to do that - frankly, I don't think it's necessary because the people at CPC-Vegreville will know that the applicant is not eligible to be assessed for an OWP until first stage approval is reached. That's the whole reason for including the OWP application WITH the inland ap. I think, initially, writing "Don't process until first stage approval" on the OWP application was a suggestion about what to do if someone forgets (or doesn't realize they're allowed) to include the OWP ap with the inland ap. An OWP ap received separately from the inland ap will be sent back because the applicant will be ineligible to apply until after Approval in Principle.

So, my suggestion earlier was this: if you feel more comfortable including a statement that says: "Do not process until after first stage approval", simply write it on a sticky note and stick it to the front of the extension/OWP application. The important part is to include the OWP ap, and the required fees, in the SAME ENVELOPE with the inland PR application. Remember, in order to be eligible to do this, you must still have valid temporary status in Canada when the applications are received at CPC-Vegreville. This allows you to benefit from "implied status" until first stage approval is reached - even if your current temporary status document expires in the interim.

 

[jdub]

I am in a similar situation although I am not yet in canada. I will be entering later in the year on a toursit visa. I have a Canadian common law partner of 11 years and we plan to get married either just before entering Canada or just after arriving. I then plan to lodge an inland PR and apply for an OWP at the same time. My questions are:
1. Roughly how long does it take to obtain AIP?
2. Roughly how long does it take to gain PR when applying inland?
3. I have heard that once in Canada and provided you have a legitimate relationship it is quite rare to not receive PR status. Is this true?

Thanks in advance for any advice you may be able to give me.

 

[Leon]

1. AIP in approximately 6 months according to CIC website
2. I have heard it can take 1-2 years.
3. It all depends on having a legitimate relationship and being able to prove it. If they don't believe you, it doesn't matter inland or outland, they will not approve. Prepare your application well because with inland, you do not have the right to appeal if they refuse.

 

[elfut]

Questions on IMM5002.

8. My work activity for the past 10 years. How are you supporting yourself? Be specific.

What do the IO expect to see when someone who is being sponsored while in Canada and he/she doesn't allow to get a job and there is no current income for him/herself besides their savings or savings from previous jobs?

Does common-law joint bank account proves that he/she can support themselves?

 

[Leon]

If you are doing spousal sponsorship, lack of income will not prevent you from being sponsored. If you are living off your savings, write that you are living off your savings. If you are being supported by spouse, write that. In some cases people who are getting married and sponsored by spouse for PR are already in Canada on a temporary work permit in which case they would write that they are working and supporting themselves. Of course they could also be trying to catch you for working illegally as if somebody would actually tell them that.

 

[elfut]

What would be the best choice of words to apply for an initial work permit which includes spouse sponsorship on IMM1249 D- MY REQUEST?
Could be a tricky question though. Any good advise?

 

[Leon]

What I would write in there is this: "I would like to apply for an open work permit to be issued at the time of first stage approval"

 

[elfut]

On IMM 1249 - section C - Coming into Canada

What would the IO want to know the original reason for coming to Canada, when you are applying both PR application and extension?
Initial reason to come Canada or first visit? A scenario where I were to get in Canada for social visit to meet friends/families since four years ago before I met my common-law/spouse in a few years later.

 

[IrishApplicant]

a legal temporary status = visitor visa, yes?

IA

 

[Leon]

a legal temporary status = visitor visa, yes?

IA

Legal temporary status could be any temporary visa, visit visa, student visa or work permit.