open work permit while waiting for PR

[sara.sch]

Hi,

I am currently in Canada on a 1-year open work permit (IEC category).
Me and my Canadian boyfriend will go to Germany to visit my family over Christmas. When we come back in January my one year work permit will be expired and I will have to enter as a visitor. I will then send off my PR application (common law sponsorship) and with it I will also apply for an open work permit so that I can work here while waiting for my PR to get approved.

Does anyone know how long it takes until I get the open work permit???

On the CIC website the processing time for a work permit is 9 weeks. But I am not sure if they need to look at my PR before they give me a work permit.
I cannot send off my PR application any earlier because we have not been living together for a full year until end of January 2017.

Thanks,
Sara

 

[just a square]

Are you applying inland?

 

[Ponga]

It sounds like it, hence the OWP is only available with an Inland application.

The OWP that is issued because of an Inland application is almost automatic. All CIC needs to `see' is that an Inland application has been received. Even before anyone looks at the application, the OWP will start to be processed.

The processing time has normally been ~ 4 months, so perhaps they are picking up the pace.

Outland applications, especially from those that are visa-exempt, are normally processed substantially faster than Inland. A person can submit an Outland application even if they are physically in Canada.

 

[sara.sch]

yes I am applying inland.

On the CIC website where you can check the processing times I selected "work temporarily" and then "work permit". There wasn't any specific one for while waiting for PR. So that's why I am not sure if that's the correct processing time.

The immigration consultant we had an appointment with said it might take about 6 month before getting the work permit.

It would be helpful to have a better estimate of how long I won't be able to work...

Thanks for your help so far!