Advice on when to apply

[AllieJ]

Hi! I'm new here. I'm a common-law spouse of a Canadian citizen. We both currently live in the UK. My common-law husband has a job offer in BC starting in July. I need to know what my options are to start the process.

Can I start an Outland application now, then travel to Canada on a visitor visa in the summer and hope they stick to the 12 month processing time? Is that allowed?

Or would I need to go to Canada in July and apply from within Canada? If I do this, can I do it on a visitor visa?

I also have the option to apply for an International Experience Canada visa and get an OWP. Could I do that, and then make an Inland application for PR as a common-law spouse?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Bcboundboy]

Hi! I'm new here. I'm a common-law spouse of a Canadian citizen. We both currently live in the UK. My common-law husband has a job offer in BC starting in July. I need to know what my options are to start the process.

Can I start an Outland application now, then travel to Canada on a visitor visa in the summer and hope they stick to the 12 month processing time? Is that allowed?

Or would I need to go to Canada in July and apply from within Canada? If I do this, can I do it on a visitor visa?

I also have the option to apply for an International Experience Canada visa and get an OWP. Could I do that, and then make an Inland application for PR as a common-law spouse?

Thanks for your help!

You can file an Outland application in or out of Canada, and move between them freely. In addition, UK apps normally take 4-10 months. If you are already common law partners (living together for over 1 year), you can apply now, and possibly have PR before July.

If you do not have it by July, you can go as a visitor, with the explicit understanding you are not allowed to work.

If you get an IEC permit, you can work while there if you don't get PR in time.

 

[AllieJ]

You can file an Outland application in or out of Canada, and move between them freely. In addition, UK apps normally take 4-10 months. If you are already common law partners (living together for over 1 year), you can apply now, and possibly have PR before July.

If you do not have it by July, you can go as a visitor, with the explicit understanding you are not allowed to work.

If you get an IEC permit, you can work while there if you don't get PR in time.

Thank you so much! This is extremely helpful. One clarifying question: having an IEC permit won't affect my PR application at all?

 

[CDNPR2014]

Thank you so much! This is extremely helpful. One clarifying question: having an IEC permit won't affect my PR application at all?

no, one thing has nothing to do with the other. you can have both applications submitted at the same time even. it will not affect your spousal application.

 

[sjs124]

Thank you so much! This is extremely helpful. One clarifying question: having an IEC permit won't affect my PR application at all?

My parnter applied for IEC in August 2016 (received it in September 2016), but we applied for his PR before he even did IEC. His PR was recently approved as well, so no issues!