Procrastination has caught up..... help

[liquidlifestyle]

Okay so here's the story,

I have been in Canada for the last 7 years on an Australian WHP visa. I currently have two seasonal jobs (both in managment) as I live in a resort town.. I am now 31 and can no longer apply for another WHP visa..

My girlfriend and I are in a legit common law relationship, because it seemed way cooler to be biking and skiing for 7 years and not filling out residency papers I have left this wayyyyyy late.. My whp visa runs out 23 feb 2013. We are part way through filling out inland family class sponsorship, but i haven't booked medical and the police report should be sent soon. Our application once its done will be very strong.

Clearly I need to figure out my status in canada.

Can I apply for a open work permit while waiting for family sponsorship papers to be processed seperately to the supposed 9 month wait time??


can somebody point me in the right direction as to what to do.

Free ski lessons..

 

[scylla]

You will qualify for an open work permit once your inland sponsorship application has received first stage approval. First stage approval is currently taking six months to complete:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/perm-fc.asp

You should include an open work permit application with your inland sponsorship application.

 

[amikety]

I don't ski.... too clumsy.

First, apply by January 23rd 2013 for a visitor record or flagpole to the USA border and get a visitor's record (VR) with your wife.

She is your 'wife' from now on. For your application and any immigration purposes.

Include a OWP application with your Inland application and pay the WP fee along with your other PR fees. After Stage 1 approval, you'll get the OWP and be allowed to go back to work. If you get a LMO and closed work permit before then, it will automatically cancel once you get the OWP.

It may have changed, but Stage 1 approval is 6-7 months.

Filling out papers does suck. Gathering evidence and making photocopies of every card you've ever given is boring as hell too. However, the 7 years isn't necessarily a bad thing. If you've been in a cl relationship for that long, it will help make a stronger case.

Btw, fill out the Declaration of Common-Law relationship even if it isn't listed as necessary and send it with your application. They will ask for it and delay processing..........