Applying for common-law sponsorship while waiting for visitor record approval

[cartuse]

Hi everybody,

I'm currently waiting for an application to extend my stay as a visitor to be processed, and my question is the following: Do I have to wait until that's finished to send out an application for sponsorship? Keep in mind I have left and re-entered the country since, with the application to extend my stay still not processed.

Also, I've been advised by a lawyer to send an open work permit along with the sponsorship application. Would that open work permit get approved (if it does) 6-8 months after they receive the sponsorship application and it's first-stage approved? Because the lawyer told me 4 months and now I'm a bit confused.

Thanks!