How to keep my legal status while applying

[Katefm]

Hi, I applied for permanent residence from within Canada as a common-law partner of a Canadian citizen in May 2015. I entered to Canada as a visitor, and a stamp on my passport says I have permitt to stay here until November 4th 2015, so I need to do something in order to maintain my legal status in Canada after that date.

Since I´m chemical engineer, I´d like in a near future to work here, so I was wondering if it is possible for me to apply for an open work permit or if it is better to apply for an extension of my visitor permit.

On the CIC website they say that you could apply for an open work permit if you "are in Canada because you have already applied for permanent residence from inside Canada (you will have to pass certain stages in the main application process to be eligible for a work permit)". However, they don´t clarify which stages are those.

Thanks!

 

[Ponga]

Hi, I applied for permanent residence from within Canada as a common-law partner of a Canadian citizen in May 2015. I entered to Canada as a visitor, and a stamp on my passport says I have permitt to stay here until November 4th 2015, so I need to do something in order to maintain my legal status in Canada after that date.

Since I´m chemical engineer, I´d like in a near future to work here, so I was wondering if it is possible for me to apply for an open work permit or if it is better to apply for an extension of my visitor permit.

On the CIC website they say that you could apply for an open work permit if you "are in Canada because you have already applied for permanent residence from inside Canada (you will have to pass certain stages in the main application process to be eligible for a work permit)". However, they don´t clarify which stages are those.

Thanks!

You are only eligible for an Open Work Permit, if you submitted an Inland application. Many people submit an Outland application (even though they are physically in Canada). Those applicants would not qualify.

If you did submit an Inland application, you are indeed [now] eligible to submit the OWP (form IMM 5710). The correct fee amount is $255 (many people are paying the wrong amount, which results in their application being returned). You would receive the OWP based on the simple fact that you have submitted an Inland application; that in and of itself is the only qualifier. It takes ~ 4 months to receive.

As long as CIC receives the OWP application prior to November 4th, you'll be allowed to remain in Canada, under Implied Status.

 

[Katefm]

Thanks for de information, it´s been very useful for me

I have just one more question. Are you sure that it is possible for me to apply until November 4th? Is it not required to apply 30 days before? (that´s the death line to apply for an extension of my visitor permit).

 

[canuck_in_uk]

I have just one more question. Are you sure that it is possible for me to apply until November 4th? Is it not required to apply 30 days before? (that´s the death line to apply for an extension of my visitor permit).

No, it is not a requirement to apply 30 days beforehand.