Work Permits for Spousal Sponsorship Applicants

[joelnberg]

Hi,

I am wondering what the average time is to receive an open work permit when submitting with a Sponsorship application. I hear they say 4 months but I thought I saw somewhere as soon as 2 weeks?

Also, although our relationship was long distance for a little while, we have been living together since May of last year. So the plan was to apply in May because we can prove 1 year together then. But since it will take 4 months in average to open the case, can we submit the application now? Or at least a little early? We can prove we have been together since September 2015 long distance wise, (plane tickets visiting once in Christmas) but I dont think that counts for common law?

Thank you!

Joel

 

[Aquakitty]

I see from your posts your spouse is from Brazil. They (Sao Paulo) have one of the shortest processing times of all the VO's. I highly suggest applying outland and forgetting about the work visa.

Unfortunately you cannot submit the application early, whether you go inland or outland. You must be common-law first.

 

[Ponga]

You need to wait until you have solid proof of living together for 365 consecutive days or more, as that is what is required for Common-Law (for Canada immigration purposes).

It sounds like you'll be ready to apply in May.

 

[joelnberg]

Ok, thank you. I think we'll just have to wait for May and hopefully the wait time is not that long.

 

[joelnberg]

So we got her Visa Extension the other day after 4 MONTHS! And now it expires on March 7th?! We only have 2 months to go for the full year till we apply for common law.
But now do we have to apply for another visa extension?? It says she needs to leave the country by March 7th. This is complete nonsense. After waiting 4 months to finally get it and only have 2 weeks left. One thing, I didnt include a letter in the last application explaining that we are going for common law in May so maybe thats why they didnt give us enough time. However if we apply now for another extension with a letter, it will obviously take longer than when the current one expires but at least it will be "by the book" I suppose. Any insight?

 

[CaroM8]

Ah that's tough.. Sorry I don't really have any insight on this.. Is there any way you can go with her for a few months?

I realize it's not feasible for everybody.. But my partner and I have been bouncing back and forth between Canada and Guatemala to keep our common law status legit..

 

[canuck_in_uk]

So we got her Visa Extension the other day after 4 MONTHS! And now it expires on March 7th?! We only have 2 months to go for the full year till we apply for common law.
But now do we have to apply for another visa extension?? It says she needs to leave the country by March 7th. This is complete nonsense. After waiting 4 months to finally get it and only have 2 weeks left. One thing, I didnt include a letter in the last application explaining that we are going for common law in May so maybe thats why they didnt give us enough time. However if we apply now for another extension with a letter, it will obviously take longer than when the current one expires but at least it will be "by the book" I suppose. Any insight?

You should have stated your intention to become common-law in the last app.

Apply for another extension explaining you want to become common-law and apply for sponsorship.

 

[joelnberg]

Ok, yeah thanks for the help. We'll apply again.

 

[starry101]

Brazil outland is really quick, you could have full PR in the time in takes to get an inland work permit.

 

[joelnberg]

Thanks for all the help. I have another question about the sponsorship.

So we got the other visitor extension this time very quickly, about 1 month. Great.

The estimated time for Brazil outland is 8 months compared to inland 26months, is this what your referring to? At the moment we would still try the inland and open work permit, other applicants have averaged that to be about 3 months.

Im wondering about the Right of Permanent Residence Fee. If we wait to pay this would it matter on the open work permit wait time? I have a feeling it would seem less "serious" on our application and waiting for the open work permit. But I would rather wait to pay that fee, seeing as how we should have an open work permit in the meantime and so am less worried about how long the application takes, it seems a long time regardless.

My last question is referring to a few of my French friends who have come over with their common law partners. He has a job offer and its for a year at least, very shortly after he began working they then went to the border for his common law partner who doesnt have a work permit. And with their Common law paper, the border pretty much gave here an open work permit instantly. This happened to 3 friends of mine. I think this is do to his status as a foreign worker obtaining work here? I didn't find anything like this for me as a Canadian..

Many thanks for the help again!

 

[canuck_in_uk]

The estimated time for Brazil outland is 8 months compared to inland 26months, is this what your referring to? At the moment we would still try the inland and open work permit, other applicants have averaged that to be about 3 months.

Im wondering about the Right of Permanent Residence Fee. If we wait to pay this would it matter on the open work permit wait time? I have a feeling it would seem less "serious" on our application and waiting for the open work permit. But I would rather wait to pay that fee, seeing as how we should have an open work permit in the meantime and so am less worried about how long the application takes, it seems a long time regardless.

My last question is referring to a few of my French friends who have come over with their common law partners. He has a job offer and its for a year at least, very shortly after he began working they then went to the border for his common law partner who doesnt have a work permit. And with their Common law paper, the border pretty much gave here an open work permit instantly. This happened to 3 friends of mine. I think this is do to his status as a foreign worker obtaining work here? I didn't find anything like this for me as a Canadian..

You seriously should not even be considering an inland app. Sao Paulo is one of the fastest offices in the world. The OWP takes 4 months; an otland app could be done in that time.

Apply outland and pay all fees upfront.

Spouses of skilled foreign workers can apply for work permits. There is no such option for spouses of Canadian citizens.

 

[scylla]

My last question is referring to a few of my French friends who have come over with their common law partners. He has a job offer and its for a year at least, very shortly after he began working they then went to the border for his common law partner who doesnt have a work permit. And with their Common law paper, the border pretty much gave here an open work permit instantly. This happened to 3 friends of mine. I think this is do to his status as a foreign worker obtaining work here? I didn't find anything like this for me as a Canadian..

Yes - it's because they are foreign workers. This rule doesn't apply to you.

 

[joelnberg]

I see, very interesing. But she lives with me here in Canada. Does she then have to move home while she is waiting? Or can she stay here with here tourist Visa still.

She is visiting Brazil for 1 month in June, so she could apply outland at that time, although will be coming back at the end of the month. I will also be visiting her in Brazil for the last week and returning with her back to Canada. With her open tourist visa extension this is why we applied and don't forsee a problem returning to Canada.

Thanks

 

[MilesAway]

You can apply outland while in Canada.

 

[joelnberg]

Can or should we still apply for the open work permit at the same time? Even if its a couple months sooner, would still make a big difference financially to be able to work that much sooner.

Cheers

Oh, I see now, work permits for inland only can apply for the open work permit. At the cost of the long processing times. It's a tough call, Ill try to find a few applicants for reference on the processing times for Brazil outland, and inland OWP.