Multi-country confusion!

[neil537]

I'll outline my situation first.  My Canadian partner and I (UK citizen) have been together for over 2 1/2 years, we met in Korea where we were both teaching English.  We are currently living together in Australia where she has been studying and I have been working. In March she will return to Canada and I will return to the UK. The plan is for me to apply for permanent residency and then move to Canada, hopefully in Sept/Oct 2012. I was initially planning to go to Canada on a Working Holiday Visa and apply for PR once I'd arrived, but I have been advised process times are quicker if you apply from outside Canada and anyway it looks like I would be ineligible for a WH visa because of my time spent abroad.

My question is, should I start the application whilst we are still in Australia or wait until we return home and hope that the application goes quickly and is done by Oct 2012? (6-7 months)?

Any help/information greatly appreciated,

[CharlieD10]

You should start the application wherever you are, because remember there are things you will need from the various countries, such as police certificates, which you may find easier applying for while in-country.  Additionally, you need to allow time for them to be delivered to you, and decide where they will be sent.  Remember they need to be no more than 3 months' past their date of issue when you submit your application, so you've some planning ahead of you.

You'll also want to gather whatever proof of cohabitation and of your relationship relates to the time you've spent together in the various countries.

[pinklady]

Also, you should know that if you are able to get the WH visa, you can still apply outland even while residing in Canada. Outland means the visa office processing your application, not your physical whereabouts. I applied outland while staying in Canada, many people do.
Since you're visa exempt to visit, I would definately recommend outland anyway.

Start gathering the documents you will need right away. It takes longer than you think. Then as soon as you're ready, send it off. You can get a medical done anywhere, as long as its with a DMP.

[PMM]

Hi

Also, you should know that if you are able to get the WH visa, you can still apply outland even while residing in Canada. Outland means the visa office processing your application, not your physical whereabouts. I applied outland while staying in Canada, many people do.
Since you're visa exempt to visit, I would definately recommend outland anyway.

Start gathering the documents you will need right away. It takes longer than you think. Then as soon as you're ready, send it off. You can get a medical done anywhere, as long as its with a DMP.

It would appear the OP has been outside the UK for more than 18 months in the past 3 years, so is not eligible for an IEC (WHV)