Questions about open work permit

[83826]

Hi everyone, i have a few questions about the letter my wife just received.
I applied for spouse sponsorship inland and received the application by cic on April 3rd, 2012.
on Oct 10th,2012 my wife received a letter from Citizenship and immigration Canada.
It stated that she can now apply for an open work permit, which allow her to work in the occupation and location of your choice.
Her status expired on May 16th 2012, i've been told by the lawyer that my wife doesn't have to extend her status as long as we apply the appication before the expire day.
Does my wife needs to apply the extend status in order to get a open work permit?
Or she only needs to apply the open work permit?
Her permanent resident application status is in progress.
We were trying to apply the work permit through the CIC website, but at the end of the page after we had filled in all the information. It says her status has expired and she needs to apply a temporary resident permit and work permit by paper.

Anyone can kindly give me some advise?
Thank you

 

[CheshireCats]

As far as I know, you must apply for extensions either way...my husband has a temporary resident permit and open work permit that expire Dec. 31 2012 and we just rec'd first stage approval on his PR application, the letter states the same as yours, he can now apply for an open work permit etc.
We were advised, although he has this first stage...that we still have to have the TRP and WP extended. We are to have those applications in no later then 30 days before his current permits expire. So Nov. 31st

The reason the application form won't let you go any further is because your wife's status; and I could be wrong, is now back to implied...??? Normally if you go out of status you must apply to restore that status within 90 days or something...

Now you are going to have to apply to restore her status (TRP), Form 5710 and at the same time, apply for her work permit.
Just make sure you that you include the reasons as to why you didn't extend in time... (as you were given ill advice) and that you are just trying to correct your mistakes now...

Hope this helps!
I would suggest calling the call centre 1-888-242-2100, as I am just trying to remember all of this off the top of my head and could be wrong, but generally...that's what is happening...