Paid for OWP; now applying outland

[QCSunshine]

When my sponsor/spouse paid the fees, we were planning on doing an inland application, so we went ahead and paid for the OWP, paying a total of $700. Now we have decided to apply outland and we are ready to mail off the application this week. I am in Canada now with a work permit that is valid until Dec. 31, 2010. (It is for an unpaid academic research project I am still working on, and will continue working on after Dec. 31st. I have already extended once for an additional 6 months, so I don't know if they would be willing to extend again.)

So my question is....should I include a request for a change in status to "visitor" (since I have already paid for the change in status application) to go in effect after Dec. 31? Or would that somehow be processed when they receive it and over-ride my current work permit too soon? Or I could try to renew my work permit again...? Or maybe I should request nothing at this time and just leave overpaid? I assume that money will either be lost, reimbursed, or perhaps go towards the fees that come later. Any suggestions or insight would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

 

[RobsLuv]

Well, you have a couple of options. You can apply to extend your work permit, but if it's refused, you'll be asked to leave Canada. Or you can apply to change your conditions to "visitor" so that you can stay - it's likely they will approve that based on the fact that you have a sponsorship application in process (be sure you include proof). Whatever you do, if you want to remain in Canada while your outland PR ap is in process, you need to keep your temporary status current - so don't fail to apply to extend it. My vote, though, would be to do so as a "visitor" for the best chance of being approved.

Also, about the money - my suggestion would be this: pay another $75 on a separate receipt to submit with the extension ap. Then pay an additional $340 and get a receipt (to include with the $700 receipt you already have) to submit with the PR ap. That way the $700 plus the $340 gives you the $1040 total you need to cover the sponsor's $75 fee, the applicant's $475 fee and the $490 RPRF fee, and your PR fees are all paid up. And the separate $75 fee covers your extension.

 

[QCSunshine]

RobsLuv, thank you some much for this advice! Especially for the feedback on the change of conditions request to stay as a visitor. Thank you!!!