Hi there! This is a tricky one. Iâm currently in Canada as temporary worker. My current work permit expires in February. This August, my canadian girlfriend (Common Law Partner) and I are going to send in an In-Canada Permanent Residence application (family class).
We know that one can throw in an âOpen Work Permitâ application along with the PR application to be processed as soon as one gets first stage approval (approval in principle).
But we also know that it could be a while before getting AIP and I donât want my current work permit to expire before that, That is, I would like to renew it if necessary.
Should I:
A) Send in the PR and OWP apps together and just wait on implied status until I get the AIP and OWP granted?
B) Send in the PR and an extension application for my current WP?
C) Send the PR app along with the OWP app AND the extension app?
D) Send FIRST the PR/OWP and later on the WP extension app?
I read on one of these forums that if I do A (PR+OWP) I can keep working even if my current work permit expires. The problem with that is that I want to keep my social insurance number (SIN) and my Ontario Health Card which expire the same day my WP does.
If I do B, will I still be granted a OWP when I get AIP?
Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance everybody!
Submitting the PR and OWP application together gives you "implied status" to continue working until first stage approval. Not sure (but someone else will be able to tell you) about how that works with the SIN and OHIP, but be sure you track the mailing of the PR ap/extension OWP application and get delivery confirmation to prove that you have implied status to continue working. Once Approval in Principle is granted, you'll have a new temporary status document that will allow you to work anywhere - not just for the "restricted" employer you work for now.
Are you American?
Is there a possibility of getting your work permit extended?
If yes on those, have you considered an outland application?
Thanks for the replies.
Question: can one extend their work permit while having an OWP application pending? (my guess is not)
It seems like I would not be able to keep OHIP while on implied (temporary worker) status but I would once I get the AIP/OWP.
My best alternative right now seems to be sending only the PR application (no OWP), then renew my work permit to keep status and OHIP and apply for OWP once I get AIP.
Does that sound logical?
Ps: I am not american but I have considered outland application, it just wouldn't work for me because of the processing times and the possibility of having to travel for an interview
Filing your work permit extension separately, and including what you're referring to as an "OWP application" with the inland PR ap - is duplicating yourself and will likely confuse things at CIC. It's the same "
Application to Change Conditions or Extend My Stay in Canada", and the same fee. So why do it twice? IT's the same process - just facilitated two different ways to the same end. Either way you end up working for a time under "implied status" - either until CIC makes a decision on the extension of your restricted work permit if you apply separately, or the first stage assessment of your inland PR application if you apply with the inland application. CIC says, either way, that you're eligible to continue working until they make their decision so you need to find out directly from OHIP and Service Canada what that means for you as far as
they're concerned. This isn't a new thing - I'm sure they both have a process for it. As long as you understand that it's not the
way you apply for the extension - but the fact that you've done it before your original status expires - that makes you eligible, you can present your situation correctly and then it's OHIP's call. Your work permit will not have expired - it's basically "temporarily continued" until they make a decision on the extension application (or first stage approval of your PR) - and I'm sure OHIP has a policy in place for that scenario.
The option of filing your extension application WITH your inland PR application is there to protect you - it keeps all of your stuff together so that 1) the people assessing you for permanent status know that you have valid temporary status (so they don't send your application off to a local office for special processing that can significantly delay not only finalization of your case, but your first stage approval also) AND it protects your eligibility for temporary status because they're assessing that AFTER they've established that you're an eligible PR applicant . . . which gives you the additional "perk" of then being documented on an open work permit (as opposed to a restricted work permit).
RobsLuv thanks for the clarification.
I've done some more research and:
1) SIN seems to be good for at least 8 weeks after entering in implied status (ie after my current work permit/SIN formally expire)
2) OHIP can't be renewed but they will reimburse me all expenses made during implied status
Given what you said about sort of simplifying the process by adding the open work permit application, I think I'm going to do that and risk having to be on implied status for a few months.
Thanks again!