Hello everyone,
I am currently residing in Canada as a temporary resident with a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP), which is set to expire on July 8, 2023. To give you some context about my situation, I am married to a Canadian citizen and we have a 7-month-old daughter who was born here in Canada. Around two months ago, I submitted my Permanent Residency (PR) application via spousal sponsorship.
Recently, in April, the IRCC informed me about the possibility of extending the PGWP for 18 months, without any costs, given I meet their requirements. However, it seems I do not meet one of their key requirements, i.e., my passport, which expires in October 2024, is not valid until June 2025, a stipulation for the free extension. Thus, the only option for me to extend my PGWP is to apply manually, costing $255 CAD.
As of now, I am not actively seeking employment. I also hold a visitor visa that is valid until October 2024.
However, due to certain unforeseen circumstances, I have to travel back to my home country, Malaysia, with my baby daughter in early June. My husband will not accompany us on this journey. I plan to return to Canada in July, but by then, my PGWP would have expired.
Here are my concerns:
Thank you in advance for your time and help.
I am currently residing in Canada as a temporary resident with a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP), which is set to expire on July 8, 2023. To give you some context about my situation, I am married to a Canadian citizen and we have a 7-month-old daughter who was born here in Canada. Around two months ago, I submitted my Permanent Residency (PR) application via spousal sponsorship.
Recently, in April, the IRCC informed me about the possibility of extending the PGWP for 18 months, without any costs, given I meet their requirements. However, it seems I do not meet one of their key requirements, i.e., my passport, which expires in October 2024, is not valid until June 2025, a stipulation for the free extension. Thus, the only option for me to extend my PGWP is to apply manually, costing $255 CAD.
As of now, I am not actively seeking employment. I also hold a visitor visa that is valid until October 2024.
However, due to certain unforeseen circumstances, I have to travel back to my home country, Malaysia, with my baby daughter in early June. My husband will not accompany us on this journey. I plan to return to Canada in July, but by then, my PGWP would have expired.
Here are my concerns:
- Will I face any complications while returning to Canada with only a visitor visa, given that my PGWP would be expired by then?
- Should I be worried about my PGWP expiring on July 8, given my PR application is still under review?
- Is it advisable to pay the fees and renew my PGWP before leaving Canada, even though I don't intend to work in the immediate future?
- Does my status as a spouse of a Canadian citizen and a parent of a Canadian-born child grant me any leeway in this situation?
Thank you in advance for your time and help.