Questions about Express Entry

[stenta]

Hey Everyone,

My husband and I are currently in the process of applying for PR via express entry. I have thoroughly read some of the other great forum postings on here which explain Express Entry, but as we are already currently in Canada there is still a couple of things I am struggling to get my head around. So I have come to this forum on advice from a friend, to see if anyone might be able to help me out

For some background -
*My husband and I are originally from New Zealand. We both came to Canada on 1 year working holiday visas.
*My husband was then 'sponsored' by his company and received a positive LMIA for his job.
*Following this, we flag poled at the border and received new permits - his is a 2 year one for his specific job, and mine is a 2 year open permit as a spouse.

We are now in the very early stages of applying for PR via express entry. All that we have done so far, is that my husband has completed his English test and now received the scores back. My understanding is that we now need to complete our CIC profile, wait for the invitation to apply, and then complete the next steps i.e. collecting necessary documents, such as police checks etc.

Just a couple of questions I am looking for help on -

* My husband cannot for the life of him remember his CIC account username; we originally created one for our working holiday applications. Our understanding from the paperwork we have been provided regarding express entry, is that you need to use your same CIC account to start the express entry process. I have however managed to find that you can actually create a new CIC account and then link an old application into that account. Does anyone happen to know whether that counts as using the same CIC account?

*From other people's experience, following final submission of the application, how long does a PR application via express entry take?

*Technically speaking, can we leave and come back into the country at any point during this process? We have heard numerous times that from the time a PR application is started until it is approved, you cannot leave the country. I realize that this can potentially be up to the discretion of the border agent on any given day, whether or not to let you back in, however is the general consensus from people on here that in our type of position we are allowed to leave/come back into the country?

Thanks so much

 

[hddgtt]

Hi,

I was in the same situation - LMIA for 2 years + an open permit for the wife. The first step was to get an ITA (invitation to apply), and then we had 60 days to submit all the documents. After 5 months i have received an email asking me to send copies of our passports + pictures, and 2 weeks after sending those, the COPR (conformation of PR) has arrived.
Then we drove to the border to make a "landing" or "flag poling". The landing took less then an hour. At the border you get your COPR stamped, and you use them as a proof of your PR status until you get the cards in the mail (took us exactly 2 months to get them)

About leaving Canada - you can exit and enter at any point while you on a work permit, it doesn't matter if you are in the middle of PR process. I left Canada a few times through air and land during this time. When you return you just show your work permit.

The problem is when you "land" at the border - then the work permit is taken from you, and you do not have yet your PR card. Then if you need to leave Canada you will not be able to return with the COPR paper. There is a solution for that, i think you need to go to a local Canadian embassy in the country that you are traveling to, but i'm not sure about that one.

 

[JK_CAD]

All the best for filling up the PR application.

To answer to your questions:
- I think you can create a new account for express entry and you have to use that till your PR gets approved. I'm not sure whether you need to use that previous account or not since it's been a long time since I went thru the guidelines .

- Once you submit your PR application, you will receive an ITA in the next draw. Post ITA you have 60 days to submit your PR application. Once you submit for your PR application, it can take anytime within 1 - 6 months. I would suggest you to start gathering all the required documents before hand so that you don't rush in last minute surprises. The most time taking document is Police clearance.

- You can enter/exit Canada using your existing work permit (before it expires) via any means till you land in Canada with CoPR. Once you land using CoPR, you can only enter/exit via land/road as CoPR is not considered as official document to enter in Canada. There are different views on this as well and I have heard no one entering via land/road using CoPR. Once you land using CoPR, you will receive PR card via regular mail ( ) within the specified time limits at that time on CIC.