What are my options? Confused and Scared.

[codeguru]

Hello,

Hope everyone is doing well. I came into Canada as an International Student in the year 2009. I have completed my diploma in Bsc.IT. My current status in Canada is a worker. I got my open work permit on Feb 2014 valid for 2 years which is till Feb 2016. I was supposed to get a 3-year work permit but as luck would have it, my passport is expiring on Feb 2016 hence the 2 year work permit. I am in the process of getting a new passport.

My concern is can I extend my work permit once I get my new passport? Am I eligible to apply for PR through the Express Entry or any other method? I have been in Canada for 6 1/2 years.

I have heard the express entry is closed for the year 2015. This whole thing just scares me.

My employee can provide me Letter of Employment.

Please advice. Thank you.

 

[chaitanyaprsd1]

There is no official press release about the closure of Express Entry for 2015. Two days back there was a draw with a cutoff of 459. So, you need not worry about the applications intake through EE till some one from CIC makes an official enouncement. I personally feel that draws will take place till end of 2015 in regular intervals.

 

[codeguru]

Thank you for your prompt response. In regards to extending my work permit- what do you think?

 

[nastasya]

Yes you can easily extend your work permit after your passport is renewed.
I had same issue, qualified for 3 year permit but my passport was about to expiry so they only gave me 1 year. Then i renewed my passport and reapplied for extension. Just attach a latter of explanation saying that you were suppose to get 3 year post graduate work permit but because your passport expired , you only got 2 and ask them to extend it. You just need to pay fee again but overall its not an issue to extend it

 

[pkumthek]

Natasya can you please share what is the process to extend pgwp that was issued for shorter duration due to passport expiry?

 

[Dilbert]

Yes you can easily extend your work permit after your passport is renewed.
I had same issue, qualified for 3 year permit but my passport was about to expiry so they only gave me 1 year. Then i renewed my passport and reapplied for extension. Just attach a latter of explanation saying that you were suppose to get 3 year post graduate work permit but because your passport expired , you only got 2 and ask them to extend it. You just need to pay fee again but overall its not an issue to extend it

Same here. You shouldn't have any issues extending it as long as you provide a letter of explanation like nastasya suggested. Make sure you have proper documentation for renewal, old passport copy, new passport copy, old workpermit copy ...etc etc

 

[nastasya]

Natasya can you please share what is the process to extend pgwp that was issued for shorter duration due to passport expiry?

Process of extending is no different from getting a regular work permit
1. log into your mycic
2. complete a query that you are able to get a work permit
3. collect all docs ( attach copy of old passprt, new passport, old work permit)
4. write letter of explanation stating that your passport was expired , you renewed it now and want to extend you work permit
5. pay your fees
6. wait

 

[pkumthek]

OK, I heard they require paper application for extending pgwp. May I ask when did you extend yours? And if you do online what should you put your status as a student or worker ?

 

[nastasya]

OK, I heard they require paper application for extending pgwp. May I ask when did you extend yours? And if you do online what should you put your status as a student or worker ?

I extended it online in april 2014 . They didnt ask me to mail them anything
Put your status as worker since you already have work permit

 

[pkumthek]

Thank you Natasya

 

[codeguru]

On another note- If I have a TRV on my old passport which is valid till my old passport expires and now that I have a new paspport- will I be able to use the TRV visa for travelling or do I have to get a new TRV visa on the new passport?

My apologizes for side-tracking this topic.

 

[nastasya]

On another note- If I have a TRV on my old passport which is valid till my old passport expires and now that I have a new paspport- will I be able to use the TRV visa for travelling or do I have to get a new TRV visa on the new passport?

My apologizes for side-tracking this topic.

You can travel with old TRV till its expiry. Just make sure when you travel you carry both old+new passport. And then once you get new work permit, extend you TRV as well

 

[codeguru]

one more thing- did I tell how awesome you guys are? You guys are brilliant. Thank you for all the advice.

 

[pkumthek]

Yes everyone here are great!! Always helping Thank you very much

 

[the_lion]

BTW, Express Entry closed for 2015 is absolute BS ! I dont read it anywhere.
which means its good news for all of us. Relax CodeGuru, everything will be fine