Q) OPEN WORK PERMIT?

[yjl3382]

Inland, Common-law, processing time 1 year and 10 months

I don't know if anyone has been waiting more than me in here.
Lastly i sent requested documents 2 months ago but still don't hear anything yet.
My app is still in Vegreville and i don't even know when i will have the final decision and interview.
It just seems to take forever... I feel like I am going insane.  

I have to go back home next Feb for my sister's wedding.
I am with visitor visa right now which will expire next Feb so i am planning to apply open work permit now.
I know i should have applied it before but i never expected that my app will take this much long after first approval.

So first question..
How can i apply open work permit?
As i know there is two way.. by mail or online
which way should i go for? How long it normally takes to receive it?

Second,
I know it's risky leaving Canada while Inland app is being precessed,
but one of my friend told me that if i have open work permit, then it will be fine to reenter Canada
is that right? has anyone here had this kind of experience?

Please help.. any comment is welcome..

[Love_Young]

You can apply for the Open Work Permit by using the same application you use to extend your stay.
It is found here: https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cic.gc.ca%2Fenglish%2Fpdf%2Fkits%2Fforms%2FIMM1249E.PDF
You will instead mark "C" for an initial work permit.

Remember it needs to be received by them before your current status expires. Get proof of mailing it by getting a tracking number. I always mailed things but really it is about preference. I have known some people to not get extensions approved because they applied online and for some reason the necessary documents they attached, didn't actually attach so they were refused. Not to mention it seems that mailing it in takes less time. As of right now it says it is taking 68 days to process them. You can find the link to watch processing times here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/temp.asp

Depends, are you from a visa exempt country? If you are then yes you may be able to return safely, most do but I just don't encourage it. Just because if I do say it is okay and it doesn't work out then it will appear to be my fault. Just if you do, try and bring proof of documents with you.