open work permit

[wsm_al]

Hi,
I have closed work permit. My wife is a PR and would like to sponsor me using inland processing. I have two questions:
1. Since I already have closed work permit, can I also apply for open work permit during the inland processing time? i.e., Can I have two work permits: one is open and one is closed?
2. I just arrived 1 month ago on work permit and I am wondering how long should I wait until my wife can sponsor me for inland processing since she is already a PR. Can we apply right away or we should wait longer?

 

[amira_mais]

1. Yes, you can apply for an open work permit during inland processing, but you'll have to wait 6 months or so to get it (i.e., once stage 1 is complete).

2. As long as your wife meets the eligibility criteria (e.g., she cannot be on welfare, she must reside in Canada for the entire processing period, etc.) then she can begin sponsoring you immediately, no reason to wait.

3. Depending on your circumstances, you may want to consider outland processing as it may be faster and you can still live and work in Canada – but that depends what country you're from. Look at the processing times for the visa office that handles applications from your country of origin and compare them to the inland processing times.

 

[wsm_al]

thanks a lot! Outland processing take more than 24 months for my country.

 

[amira_mais]

Then you made the right choice - inland is the way to go. Good luck.