Family Class (inland) vs. Canadian Experience Class

[ABozzy]

Hi Everyone,

Originally I had decided to apply under the Family class in Canada because my wife is sponsoring me. I am days from completing my application but after reading the processing times for family class in Canada compared with the Canadian Experience class, I am wondering if I should switch.

I have been working for almost two years - by the end of September I will become eligible under CEC, but the police checks I had done will be too old (over 3 months) by then and I will have to get another. I may even have to get another medical check because I'm not sure if that will be applicable to the CEC application.

Obviously, with my family class application almost finished, I can just submit it and try to forget about it, but I really worry about the long wait times. I wonder if I should put in a bit more work and switch to CEC.

Does anyone have an opinion on which class I should choose and whether there are any advantages of one over the other?

Hopefully you understand my little dilemma? I really want to get my application in but I don't want to wait 18 months . According to CIC, the CEC applications are going through in 11 months.

Thanks everyone!

[Leon]

CEC is safer because it is very clear under CEC if you qualify or not.  You have enough hours and IELTS is ok, then you are good.  With family class, you must prove that your relationship is genuine and that is a lot harder than proving how many hours you have worked at your job.

You know, you also have the option to apply for spousal sponsorship outland if you want to.  It may be faster than CEC depending on which visa office you apply through.

[ABozzy]

I've done a bit more reading that has lead me to a couple more questions. I hope you don't mind answering them if you can.

Just to clarify, I am currently on a working holiday visa and it expires May 2013 so even if the inland spousal PR takes 18 months, I should still be ok. Would it be worth submitting IMM 1249 with my inland PR anyway? My understanding is that once I get to AIP, CIC can issue an OWP to cover me while PR is finalised if they think I need it.

I don't think my WHP visa is extendable? I guess that means I am essentially applying for a new OWP with my PR? Also, I don't need an LMO with that do I?

I am leaning towards the inland spousal application because it is almost ready to submit. The only catch I can see is if I don't get to AIP and they forward my application to the local office. I am not concerned about our relationship not appearing genuine but I do want to ensure as fast a process as possible. Besides our BC marriage certificate and wedding photos, I am also including proof of cohabitation, past correspondence (emails etc.), as well as anything I can think of that has both our names on it. There are things we have had both our names on long before we got married.

Is there such a thing as overkill when it comes to proving our eligibility?


Finally, I was thinking that CEC could be a backup if I hadn't heard anything from the inland spouse PR after a certain amount of time. Is there a point in either application where I can withdraw and still be refunded the processing fees? Otherwise it could be too costly if they happen to go through together.


You know, I wonder if I am worrying too much and over analysing this whole PR thing sometimes.

Thanks again in advance for your time.

Lance

[Leon]

You usually can not extend a WHV but you can sometimes apply for it again.

You can send an OWP application (use the change of status form) along with your sponsorship package and that means you would get the OWP as soon as you get AIP with your inland.  However, if you have a WHV already, I don't really see why you would need the OWP unless your PR application takes much longer than expected.  You can always apply for the OWP later if you didn't do it initially.

I don't know how fast you have to cancel to get your processing fee back. Once they have started processing, you don't get it back any more.

[rjessome]

If you are committed to doing a family class application, you should really look at having it processed in Buffalo.  You've been legally admitted for 1 year through your WHV so you qualify for processing there. If the application is well done, you could be a permanent resident by May 2013.

[ABozzy]

Hi Leon and rjessome,

Thank you both for your advice. In the end, I have decided to submit my application to the inland spouse class. The main reason is that I had the application completed and wanted to submit it right away. Had I waited to become eligible for CEC, I would have needed another police check.

I actually have a two year working holiday visa so I hopefully won't have any lengthy delays. I think my questions came from my occasional lack of patience but I will just have to wait 

Thanks again.
ABozzy.