Options After Expiration of Permanent Residence

[tarun172]

Hello Everyone,
My current permanent resident is set to expire within next few months. My spouse is Canadian resident and has begun application for Canadian Passport. I am trying to explore and weigh options to move to Canada permanently next year. I am looking for clarification of few things,

1. Can my spouse sponsor my application for Permanent Resident while my Permanent residence is still active?

2. If option # 1 is not feasible, am I eligible for an open work permit?

Thanks,
New Canadian Immigrant

 

[scylla]

Hello Everyone,
My current permanent resident is set to expire within next few months. My spouse is Canadian resident and has begun application for Canadian Passport. I am trying to explore and weigh options to move to Canada permanently next year. I am looking for clarification of few things,

1. Can my spouse sponsor my application for Permanent Resident while my Permanent residence is still active?

2. If option # 1 is not feasible, am I eligible for an open work permit?

Thanks,
New Canadian Immigrant

1. No. You need to renounce your PR status before your spouse can sponsor you for PR.
2. An open work permit is only possible if you first renounce your PR status. Your spouse would then need to submit an inland spousal sponsorship application for you (this requires you to be physically in Canada at the time the application is submitted) and include an open work permit application with the spousal sponsorship application. The OWP will likely be approved 4-6 months after the complete application package is received.