Running out of time for PR/OWP application inland?

[narna91]

Hello everyone,

I need some advice regarding my immigration process. Here's some history:

I am a French citizen who first came to Canada in August 2013. In January 2014, I met my current common-law husband, who is a Canadian citizen. I decided to stay in Canada, and was able to work thanks to a variety of visas. Currently, I have a working holiday visa that will allow me to work in Canada until November 28, 2017. At the end of this visa I will have spent a total of 3 years and 4 months working in Canada as a temporary worker. I know that the limit is 4 years.

Now, I would like to become a permanent resident. Indeed, I am still with my common-law husband and have a permanent job. I am preparing my PR application through the family sponsorship program INLAND, my common-law husband being the sponsor. I chose this category because I didn't have a full-time job with one employer until August 2016, and didn't qualify for Express Entry. Also, I thought the family sponsorship option was safer, and the applicant can apply for a open work permit, while any potential interviews will take place in Canada. My application is almost complete.

However, and this is where it gets confusing to me, the processing time for my category is now 26 months, including 16 months for the approval in principle - which is when they give you an open work permit, right?...which means, if I understand, that my current visa will expire before I even get a chance to know if I am eligible for an open work permit. I really don't want to quit my job and stay unemployed for several months while waiting for my PR.

So, what should I do? Should I continue with this application, or apply outland if that's possible (processing times are 9 months, currently for the French office) ? Or should I get my company to maybe sponsor me for another work permit? What is the best solution? Is there even a solution? I am really anxious to loose my job next year, or not to have any status comes November 2017.

Thank you,

narna91

EDIT: I posted this message in the wrong section of the forum earlier, but was told by scylla that the OWP application included in an inland spousal sponsorship PR application should be approved in four months. That would solve everything, then.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

You should seriously consider an outland app. There is no benefit to you applying inland. You already have a work permit and there is pretty much no chance you will be called for an interview.

 

[Aquakitty]

Agree. There is a very, very good chance you will have your full PR status long before your current work visa expires, by applying outland.

 

[narna91]

Thank you for your answers.
What are the reasons I would be called for an interview? Would my partner have to come with me?
Applying outland almost seems too good to be true. Processing times inland are currently 26 months for my category, but only 9 months through France.

 

[Shineon39]

Thank you for your answers.
What are the reasons I would be called for an interview? Would my partner have to come with me?
Applying outland almost seems too good to be true. Processing times inland are currently 26 months for my category, but only 9 months through France.

The reason that they would call an interview it's if they believe that the relation is not genuine. For you being France citizen the burden to prove it won't be hard because you have nothing to gain from moving from France to Canada except living with your partner. The burden would be harder if you are from poor country and have a lot to gain by moving to Canada.
That why it's unlikely for you to get an interview
If you applly outland and send everything they needed you can expect to have everything done in 6-7 months My wife went throught singapore visa office in 8 month (processing time of 24 months for thailand)

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Thank you for your answers.
What are the reasons I would be called for an interview? Would my partner have to come with me?
Applying outland almost seems too good to be true. Processing times inland are currently 26 months for my category, but only 9 months through France.

As said above, Marriage of Convenience is the major reason. As you are from a country that is as equally developed as Canada and you have been living with your partner for a few years, you are not an MOC risk. Provided you have no red flags such as criminality, a HUGE age difference, etc., you won't have an interview.

 

[narna91]

Do you think the fact that we are a same-sex couple with a 10-year age difference can negatively influence whoever reviews our application?
Other than that, I feel like we have a pretty solid application, since we've been living together for 2.5 years and have many evidences of our relationship - documents, trips and pictures, etc.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Do you think the fact that we are a same-sex couple with a 10-year age difference can negatively influence whoever reviews our application?
Other than that, I feel like we have a pretty solid application, since we've been living together for 2.5 years and have many evidences of our relationship - documents, trips and pictures, etc.

Nope. Being same-sex makes zero difference and a 10 year age difference in a Western couple isn't an issue. My partner and I are 8 years apart and there are many on this forum that are 10-20 years apart; no issues for any of us. By huge age difference, I was talking 30 years or something .

Make sure you have solid common-law proofs as well.

 

[Shineon39]

Nope. Being same-sex makes zero difference and a 10 year age difference in a Western couple isn't an issue. My partner and I are 8 years apart and there are many on this forum that are 10-20 years apart; no issues for any of us. By huge age difference, I was talking 30 years or something .

Make sure you have solid common-law proofs as well.

About same-sex relationship the visa officer won't even bother with that as it seen EXACTLY the same as a heterosexual relation. For the 10 years age gap it's common here i think.