Just married - Inland Applicant Question

[nuksyed]

Hi Everyone:

I just got married in Canada. My wife is a Canadian and we will be applying for PR through the inland application process. My worry is that my current work permit will expire before I get my PR (expires end of 2016). Is there a way to apply for an open work permit while waiting for my PR? at what point are we eligible to apply for such permit?

thanks.

 

[Ponga]

Hi Everyone:

I just got married in Canada. My wife is a Canadian and we will be applying for PR through the inland application process. My worry is that my current work permit will expire before I get my PR (expires end of 2016). Is there a way to apply for an open work permit while waiting for my PR? at what point are we eligible to apply for such permit?

thanks.

Why are you submitting an Inland application? Chances are that an Outland application will be a much better (and substantially faster) option for you...especially since your PGWP is valid until the end of 2016!

Are you aware that even if you are in Canada (and want to remain in Canada), you can submit an Outland application?

 

[nuksyed]

Why are you submitting an Inland application? Chances are that an Outland application will be a much better (and substantially faster) option for you...especially since your PGWP is valid until the end of 2016!

Are you aware that even if you are in Canada (and want to remain in Canada), you can submit an Outland application?

I wasn't aware of this. Can we apply for an OWP in that case too? Which processing office would I submit my application to?

 

[KelseyTVS]

I wasn't aware of this. Can we apply for an OWP in that case too? Which processing office would I submit my application to?

With Outland, you do not qualify for the OWP program, it's only for Inland. You can try to get one through a different program though, just not the one specifically for Inland applicants. But depending on the country you're from, your PR application could be easily all done and accepted before your current work permit expires!

All Outland applications are sent to the Mississauga visa office in Ontario. After your wife is approved as a sponsor, they will send it to the designated visa office for your country.

 

[nuksyed]

The processing time for the country I am originally shows up as "-". I am assuming that means they do not even have data for the processing time for that country. Also, since I am not originally from North America, does that mean that my file will most likely go to the country I am from? (it was suggested in the forums somewhere else that this is what happens). Wouldn't that increase the processing time?

 

[nuksyed]

Turns out my visa office will now be London. Processing time is 28 months. Isn't that still slower than an inland application? with the fact that I can also get an OWP, it makes more sense for me to apply Inland? am I correct?

If they direct all the "in-Canada" outland cases to Ottawa, it doesn't seem logical to apply outland.. That is my thinking but I might be wrong?

 

[KelseyTVS]

Sorry I didn't reply to your PM, I was trying to remember where the Pakistan applications go now, and you're right, it's London.

Since the Pakistan applications were forwarded to London, it caused the London processing time to jump hugely. However, the London office has been operating much faster than the time posted. Most visa offices do. Ottawa is listed as taking 16 months, but is averaging at 7-10 months right now.

There is a thread for Pakistan via London applicants, and from their spreadsheet it looks like in 2014, most applications were done in about 12 months. Inland can take years, but in the end the decision is up to you. I would recommend doing some research here before you decide. Take a look at the London thread and the Pakistan thread and their spreadsheets to get a better idea for most of the processing times.

 

[nuksyed]

Sorry I didn't reply to your PM, I was trying to remember where the Pakistan applications go now, and you're right, it's London.

Since the Pakistan applications were forwarded to London, it caused the London processing time to jump hugely. However, the London office has been operating much faster than the time posted. Most visa offices do. Ottawa is listed as taking 16 months, but is averaging at 7-10 months right now.

There is a thread for Pakistan via London applicants, and from their spreadsheet it looks like in 2014, most applications were done in about 12 months. Inland can take years, but in the end the decision is up to you. I would recommend doing some research here before you decide. Take a look at the London thread and the Pakistan thread and their spreadsheets to get a better idea for most of the processing times.

Is it possible to apply for both inland and outland? Outland is asking for a lot of original documents, whereas the inland process is simpler. Also, is the OWP re-newable?
Thnks.

 

[Aquakitty]

Is it possible to apply for both inland and outland? Outland is asking for a lot of original documents, whereas the inland process is simpler. Also, is the OWP re-newable?
Thnks.

No, sorry only one. I am not sure what you mean about the inland process being simpler, are you sure about that? I don't see why they would require different documents. Proof is proof, I thought it was based on your home country. If that is true, that is pretty bizarre.

In your case inland might be the way to go. I think you get a 2 year work permit with inland.

 

[nuksyed]

No, sorry only one. I am not sure what you mean about the inland process being simpler, are you sure about that? I don't see why they would require different documents. Proof is proof, I thought it was based on your home country. If that is true, that is pretty bizarre.

In your case inland might be the way to go. I think you get a 2 year work permit with inland.

Thanks. By different documents, I meant they require original birth certificates and education certificates in outland whereas they require only certified copies in inland.
I am not very comfortable sending my original Canadian degree to an outland visa office, but will do so if required.