This illustrates why it's so important to include the extension application WITH the inland PR application. Even though it's all Vegreville, you can't depend on them to be able to put 2 and 2 together and actually figure out that you have an inland ap in process when you apply separately to extend status.
This is the second or third time in recent weeks I've seen this happen - someone at CPC-Vegreville is NOT doing their job!
However, you were within your rights to apply separately, and it should have been approved. In the
Inland Applicant's application guide, Part II, Your Status in Canada/Maintaining Your Status, it says:
Maintaining legal status in Canada
You have
two options available to ensure that your legal temporary status in Canada remains valid until permanent residence is confirmed:
1. You can apply for both an extension of your temporary resident status and permanent resident status at the same time. If you choose this option, complete both an application to extend your status and an application for permanent residence. Be sure to include both applications and all the supporting documents and fees that are required in the same envelope.
Note: The acceptance of your application for temporary resident status does not guarantee the acceptance of your application for permanent residence.
2.
You can apply to extend your temporary resident status separately from the application for permanent residence, but you must do so before your temporary status expires. You have legal status for the period of time indicated on your visitor document (work permit, study permit, visitor record) or temporary resident permit.
You used the second option, which you were told you could do. And you used the online application to extend, which nobody said you shouldn't do. As long as you got that extension application to them before your visitor visa expired, you did nothing wrong. So, the best thing to do is have your sponsor get their MP involved. Your sponsor should take proof of when your inland PR application was submitted, and proof of when you applied online to extend your status - showing that it was before the expiration date of your visit visa - to the MP's office. The MP's office needs to get in touch with Vegreville and notify them of their mistake. They need to quote the above instructions from the application instructions, and tell Vegreville that you did everything exactly as you were told to do. It's not your fault that the online system does not allow you to provide additional support of your application - in fact, that's the reason I would never use the online extension application, but that's beside the point. CIC offers it, with its limitations, and they can't just deny legitimate extension requests because they haven't thought through how to provide applicants with the means to support their applications!! The MPs office needs to stress the fact that you are
required to remain in Canada in order to be eligible as an inland applicant, so that extension needs to be approved AND it needs to be cross-referenced with your inland application so that, when they finally get around to assessing you for first stage approval, they don't end up sending your application to your local office for processing because they think you're out of status. That could delay processing of your PR for a long time. Do not let the MP's office placate the two of you - this is IMPORTANT, and it is a big mistake on the part of CPC-Vegreville. The MP should not let up until they get this resolved, even if they have to go to the Minister's office to get that accomplished. Have your sponsor print this out, if need be, so they know exactly what they're requiring of the MP's office and do not back down until you get satisfaction. Someone at Vegreville needs to get their act together and figure out a way to be able to tell whether someone has an inland ap in process or not when an extension ap comes in! Just because they can't get around to opening and logging in inland PR aps for 9-10 months does not mean that someone with a legitimate application for extension of their status should be put through the stress of being refused!! Please post back and let us know how things turn out.
