Maintaining WHP visa status after applying for PR

[changa1978]

Hi all,

As somebody else said - long time reader, first time poster.  This forum is great for finding answers to the immigration question, but at the same time gets a little confusing because each case is different in some way. 

The facts

I am an aussie who is getting married to ma belle Quebecoise fiancee at the end of August.  We have been together for almost 3 years and I have previosuly lived with her for 6 months in 2007 in Montreal on a WHP visa.  Now we have returned for the wedding in Quebec and to set up life here.  We arrived in the middle of April and I am on my second WHP visa which has a 2 year validity (expires April 2011).  We both have full time jobs in Montreal and are living in the same apartment that we lived in the last time I was here .  Aside from 3 months apart at the end of 2007, and one month over a year ago when I came back to Australia earlier to find a job and apartment, we have lived/travelled together.  We have a joint bank account, and all the stamps/plane tickets to justify everything so I do not think there will be a problem to get my PR after the wedding.  So now the questions.......

1.  If I apply for PR after the wedding will this change my WHP status? I dont want to do an inland application then not be able to work for the next year while it is processed.

2.  If Q1 doesn`t work in my favour, will I be better off applying outside canada (ie sydney), and then flying back to Aus to sort everything out after the wedding?  I dont really want this option either but if that is what it takes...??

3.  Can I lodge my forms now BEFORE the wedding and advise of the impending marriage (and does this have an impact?) we have already booked the venue, minister and sent invitations, plus I have family coming from Australia and friends from England so there are no problems with legitimacy.

4.  Depending on whether I process inland or outside - can I leave canada during my application process?  My best friend is getting married in Poland next April and my (future) wife and I want to attend, but not at the risk of losing the application.  Under the Aust-Canada working holiday program visa, I can leave and re-enter Canada during the duration of the visa (did this in 2007 to go to Barbados to watch a game of cricket!)

Thanks for any help you might be able to shed on my situation,
Mark.

 

[Leon]

1. Applying for PR will not change your work permit status

2. You have 3 options, inland, outland through Australia or outland through Canada (which will be processed in Buffalo)

3. You can apply as common law partners because until you are married, that is what you are.  If you provide evidence that you have been living together for at least 12 months, you should not have a problem.

4. It is not recommended to leave Canada during inland processing.  If you are for any reason denied entry back into Canada, your application goes out the window.

[siLent_jet]

The fact was need to leave the Canada while it processing your permit status so that you can stay for a long time without annoying some agency to pick you.





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