hey dobes, congrats on the PR. Just FYI, CIC advise not to withdraw BOWP applications if you were on implied and have landed as PR. Ill paste in the details:
DO NOT cancel your BOWP and/or Visitor Status visa applications if you've received PR but were previously on implied status.
I have now activated my PR, but was on implied status for a couple of weeks after my original work permit expired, having sent my application for BOWP (IMM5710) and application to remain in Canada as visitor (IMM5708) a few days before my work visa expired. A lawyer advised that I apply for the visitor status as well as the BOWP, as an insurance policy in case the BOWP application was not successful – the visitor status application means you still retain status in Canada and don't have to leave immediately.
Activated my PR yesterday at the border in Vancouver and wanted to cancel both the BOWP and Visitor applications as they are no longer needed - wanted to get a refund on the application fees. Called CIC today and they advised me that I should not cancel either, as doing so will mean the implied status I was on would be voided (from the date my work permit expired), even though I am now a permanent resident. The lady on the phone said that when the person processing the BOWP and Visitor Status visas enters my UCI number into the system, they will see that PR has already been granted and will withdraw the application. I should then automatically get a refund. She said this would only happen if they see PR has been granted before they start processing the application.
The important thing here is to not cancel your BOWP and/or Visitor Status visas applications if you've received PR but were previously on implied status..
Alternatively, just send a CSE telling them that you have your PR and ask them to cancel the application themselves when they get to it.
