Outland Visa application - working status

[Clous87]

Morning all

Apologies if this has been asked before.

Me and my partner are currently trying to decide what would be the best route to follow with regards to the family class sponsorship. My partner and I have spent the past 4 years living in Canada/UK/Australia together, our visa has recently finished in Australia and we have had to go back to our respective countries. She has gone to Canada and I've returned back to England.

We are not too keen on spending too much time apart, as such I would like to have the ability to work in Canada ASAP.

I had read for the inland sponsorship that we can apply when I'm on a visitor visa and I would be able to get an work permit once the application is submitted, with one of the downsides to to the inland application being I am limited on the travel that I can do (we have a few weddings to go to around the world in the next 2 years). How limited would I be travel wise? When our Australian visa was being processed we could apply to travel outside of the country (pretty much inform the Australian government we were going on holiday and to not request information over that period), is there something similar in place for Canada?

I was wondering if it is possible to get the work permit when applying outland? (as I cant find anything on it, I assume it is an impossibility). The ability to travel would be ace but current London processing times seem a bit extreme.

Cheers

Clous87

 

[Applechunks]

Morning all

Apologies if this has been asked before.

Me and my partner are currently trying to decide what would be the best route to follow with regards to the family class sponsorship. My partner and I have spent the past 4 years living in Canada/UK/Australia together, our visa has recently finished in Australia and we have had to go back to our respective countries. She has gone to Canada and I've returned back to England.

We are not too keen on spending too much time apart, as such I would like to have the ability to work in Canada ASAP.

I had read for the inland sponsorship that we can apply when I'm on a visitor visa and I would be able to get an work permit once the application is submitted, with one of the downsides to to the inland application being I am limited on the travel that I can do (we have a few weddings to go to around the world in the next 2 years). How limited would I be travel wise? When our Australian visa was being processed we could apply to travel outside of the country (pretty much inform the Australian government we were going on holiday and to not request information over that period), is there something similar in place for Canada?

I was wondering if it is possible to get the work permit when applying outland? (as I cant find anything on it, I assume it is an impossibility). The ability to travel would be ace but current London processing times seem a bit extreme.

Cheers

Clous87

It's not so much that you can't travel, if however you are denied re-entry to Canada for any reason then your inland app can be cancelled because you are no longer in canada.
The open work permit (OWP) is only an option with inland applications.
In regard to London processing times, the 29 months is taking into account the applications that were transferred to London from Islamabad. Those who are from Visa exempt countries (such as UK) are not taking anywhere near that. There is a London thread where they are keeping a great spreadsheet that will give you a far more accurate idea of what's happening. Im having technical difficulties and can't post the link to the London thread right now, hopefully someone else will be able to.

 

[Applechunks]

Here you go:

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/thread-for-outland-london-uk-applications-t49436.0.html;msg4229212#msg4229212

There are also several threads talking about the London wait times.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

I had read for the inland sponsorship that we can apply when I'm on a visitor visa and I would be able to get an work permit once the application is submitted, with one of the downsides to to the inland application being I am limited on the travel that I can do (we have a few weddings to go to around the world in the next 2 years). How limited would I be travel wise? When our Australian visa was being processed we could apply to travel outside of the country (pretty much inform the Australian government we were going on holiday and to not request information over that period), is there something similar in place for Canada?

I was wondering if it is possible to get the work permit when applying outland? (as I cant find anything on it, I assume it is an impossibility). The ability to travel would be ace but current London processing times seem a bit extreme.

I would strongly advise that you apply outland. Right now, London is averaging around 8-9 months. However, many apps are actually being kept in Mississauga or being sent to Ottawa; these are being processed MUCH faster, some within 3 months or so.

With an inland app, the work permit wouldn't be immediate. CIC stated they would issue OWPs within 4 months of app submission but so far, that has not really materialized.

As said above, it's not the leaving Canada part that is the problem, it's the potential for being refused re-entry. There is nothing to apply for that would guarantee you re-entry. You are low risk for refusal but there is still always risk.

You could have a look at UK IEC. If they are holding a round 3, it should open up in the next few weeks. The last round of 2500 spots went in 2 minutes, so it is very competitive.

 

[Clous87]

Thanks guys, that spreadsheet is excellent.

I thought 29 months seemed pretty bad, good to hear some are being processed in 3 months. Looking through the sheet, it does seem that a lot of the cases taking more time are due to more information requests.

Unfortunately, I have already used my allocated working holiday visas back in 2010/11 (Although I suppose I wouldn't be in this position if I hadn't used them! haha)

 

[SchnookoLoly]

Glad the spreadsheet is useful! It's my baby, haha.

In addition, check out the FAQ linked in my signature, and read this wiki article, which is directly applicable to you as a Brit: http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Spousal_Sponsorship-Canada Pay particular attention to the "can I wait in Canada" section as well... you're stuck as a visitor until your app is approved, but at least you are able to be together.

Good luck!