Advice Needed - What is the best way to obtain PR

[scottyxx]

Hi,

I am looking to apply for PR as soon as I can, and I wanted to know the best way here is my situation.


I have been working in Canada for two years in the same job as an AIESEC intern, and then on an Open work permit (I am from the UK). So I figure I qualify for the CEC PR, but this takes 14 months, and I would be unable to find any company to employ me in that time as no one is willing to do paperwork for a work permit, or hire me on a 1 year open permit.

Secondly, I moved in with my Boyfriend in May 2011, so we could qualify for common law come May 2012, he is willing to do this for me, however, I worry about how hard the questioning and interviews are for this process and if we would even meet the requirements, because we have lived together in a 2 bed apartment, which is part of a divided house with 2 other people. We dont share finances because we are both independent and even if we were married would not share finances, all the household bills are split between everyone in the divided house, so nothing joint there either. If I applied through London the Processing time would be less than a year, but again I fall into the same problem of having no work permit / employment for that time, or I apply through Canada, which takes longer but I would have a work permit.

In brief, my options are CEC, Sponsored spouse either in or outwith Canada.


Basically, I am asking, what is the best way for me to apply for PR, either way it looks like it is going to be very very difficult for me to actually apply. So any light on the subject would be most helpful!

[rjessome]

When does your current permit expire?

[scottyxx]

My current permit expires July 2012. But I want to stay in canada full time afterwords, and dont know what my options are.

[rjessome]

My current permit expires July 2012. But I want to stay in canada full time afterwords, and dont know what my options are.

If you and your boyfriend got married you could apply through spousal sponsorship. You can probably apply through Buffalo which, if the application is well done, will be processed faster than London, generally speaking.

However, would your employer consider sponsoring you through the Provincial Nominee Program in the province where you live?  If so, and the nomination is successful, you can extend your work permit based on the nomination.  You must be working in a skill level 0, A or B position to qualify and there are other qualifying factors as well.  Check out the provincial nominee program in your province.

[scottyxx]

Thanks ^^ My work permit is currently a Working Holiday Permit...I don't think that can be extended, can it?

[scylla]

Thanks ^^ My work permit is currently a Working Holiday Permit...I don't think that can be extended, can it?

No - you can't extend a working holiday permit.

However sometimes you can apply for a second working holiday permit (if you meet the age and residency requirements).

[scottyxx]

No - you can't extend a working holiday permit.

However sometimes you can apply for a second working holiday permit (if you meet the age and residency requirements).

Thats what I am trying to do now. But i fear since my first permit was messed up by immigration.

I came through AIESEC but did not apply for a working holiday permit. They lost my application, etc, generally f**ed it up. and I ended up with a job specific work permit.

Honestly, Not sure if it affects me or not. The huge delays in london are really worrying me too.