Sorry, I have another question that I'd appreciate help with.
I submitted my Ontario PR application (Spousal) at the end of October 2017.
I am currently in Ontario on a study permit which expires on October 31st 2018.
I'm a bit confused about bridging VISAs.
Should I:
a) Apply for an OWP (would I still be able to study on this?).
b) Apply to extend my study permit.
c) Do nothing as I should have a PR decision by then.
Thanks in advance,
Nick
Hmm, this is a finicky situation. So, as far as I know, you cannot study on an OWP, you can only work if you have an OWP. Even if, it would have been easier to have sent an OWP app with your PR application. If you had, it would at least give you legal status still after Oct 2018, BUT again you wouldn't be able to study.
So really you have to decide between extending your study permit or waiting for the PR application. Although the timeline is 1 year, it's true for 80% of applications, so it's about if you're really willing to take the risk or not. I would suggest waiting for now and seeing how your application progresses. If by like August you have already done your meds and are just waiting on the SA, AIP, DM, I think it's okay to wait for the PR. If you haven't though, it's a safer bet to apply for a study permit extension.
The study permit extension application does give you implied status too, but I recommend you apply before the beginning of September to extend it.
That being said though, your school will probably start bugging you near the expiry anyway saying the permit they have on record for you is expiring and will ask if you've renewed or if you have a change in status (PR etc).
I'm in a similar situation lol, I'm graduating this April, and I'm looking for full time work, but I don't want to have to apply for the post-grad work permit (PGWP) so I'm hoping I have PR by the time I get a job (if I get one soon lol). But in terms of legal status I'm not too worried because my study and co-op work permit are both valid till 2019 anyway.