Permanent Residency FAQ

Crann na Beatha

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Crann na Beatha

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montreal2011

Phoenix wrote: »

...

What permanent residents cannot do:
You are not allowed to:

2. hold some jobs that need a high-level security clearance.

...

After spending a certain amount of years living in Canada, certain high-level security jobs open up for permanent residents.

An example situation: The Parliament building in Ottawa is currently being renovated. Anyone without security clearance must be accompanied on site at all times. Before one can obtain security clearance, at minimum, one needs to have PR status and have lived in Canada for 5 years.

Crann na Beatha

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COYVB

Approval in principle within Canada for PR takes a year at the moment, not 2-3 months

Crann na Beatha

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COYVB

Phoenix wrote: »

Any link buddy?

Im currently undergoing the process. Applied feb this year, receipt notification 2 weeks ago, aip likely next Feb

hacker21

Hi all,
Just a query for anyone who has submitted an application for permanent residency? How tough is the process? Did you do it yourself or get help elsewhere?

COYVB

Was pretty straightforward (touch wood). The CIC recommends you don't pay anyone to help with paperwork for anything, because it's all very self-explanatory.

Mine was the spousal sponsorship route

hacker21

Thanks for replying. I am helping out my brother with his permanent residency application. He is traveling to Canada shortly to take up employment on BCPNP. Just wondering would he be better having some help on the ground over there as I don't want to mess it up on him as this has to be submitted before Christmas. He knows he is going to be working long hours and may hit the ground running with work. If any one knows of anyone in the Vancouver areas that offers such a service would be worth looking into maybe.

COYVB

I may be mistaken but I think he needs to have worked here for a year before he can apply

Frank Bullitt

Is he doing the CEC route or PNP? With PNP I think he can apply immediately.

hacker21

PNP BC, he has that part done and he can apply immediately. They give you 6 months to get your application for permanent residency submitted.

sparkle_23

My boyfriend is a canadian citizen and he is going to sponsor me! We met with a lady today to find out what we need.. Apparently at the moment it takes 2 years. I've been here a year already and my iec is up next August.. Not sure where to go from here!

COYVB

sparkle_23 wrote: »

My boyfriend is a canadian citizen and he is going to sponsor me! We met with a lady today to find out what we need.. Apparently at the moment it takes 2 years. I've been here a year already and my iec is up next August.. Not sure where to go from here!

One you apply you get implied acceptance, so your current open work permit carries over until a decision is made. Go ahead and apply, but since you're not married you'll need to prove you've been living together for at least a year, with stuff like rent receipts, bank accounts, text/Facebook logs, letters from friends and family etc to back you up.

My understanding is there's a LOT more paperwork needed for common law sponsorship than spousal, and my spousal one was 200 odd pages

forgetfulme

Does anyone have any insight into the express entry opening in jan? I was about to start gathering all the documents for the pr process but I'm guessing by the time that's done a new system will be in place in January? I'm sure should I hold out or go for it and try get everything together by December...

wet sand

Hi

I want to know if I can apply for Permanent Residency. I'm just gone 28 years old. I have a third level honours degree and I have 4 years experience In security and a further three years experience in the Army Reserve.
I don't think I qualify under the skilled workers program.

Any advice?

Thanks

Frank Bullitt

https://www.facebook.com/groups/358614434250699/

This is a facebook group that is quite helpful and gives tips and pointers for anyone looking to go for PR.

It does stress that its a difficult process, but if you are vigilant with the forms and do them right you're flying.

kitchenchair

I applied through Alberta Nominee Program and it took just about 12 months from when I posted it until I received my PR status. I was happy with 12 months considering it said online that the waiting time was 17 months. Total cost was $1500. Well worth it in my eyes. I also did it all myself, it is pretty straight forward just take your time, read all the instructions carefully and you will save yourself a few grand in lawyer fee's.

Princessamzs

Hi,

I don't know if anyone can help me but I have applied for my PR from within Canada. I have received my letter to say it has been accepted. My problem is my IEC visa will expire next June. I know I can apply for an open work permit to allow me to keep working here but I have to travel back to Ireland for 2 weeks in July as I am getting married. Does anyone know can you travel on an open work permit or is there a visa that I can apply for that will allow me back into Canada and to continue working?

When we applied for my PR (I am going through the sponsorship PR) the processing times were only 8 months. Now they are 16 months.

I a starting to worry as I really like my job and do not want to be unemployed for months.

Thanks everyone.

COYVB

You're supposed to supply for the open work permit with the permanent residency application...

From my understanding of what you say, once your IEC expires you can no longer work in Canada. Technically you have to leave the country too.

If you're leaving the country after your IEC expires then you're at the mercy of immigration at the airport to let you in, and without a work permit they probably won't.

You need to ring CIC immediately, as if you're refused entry your permanent residency application could be be nulled

circular flexing

Which Sponsorship program are you applying under?


Once your IEC expires, you can convert your status to visitor online and this will give you an extra 3 months (I think) in the country but you cannot work during this time.

COYVB

circular flexing wrote: »

Which Sponsorship program are you applying under?


Once your IEC expires, you can convert your status to visitor online and this will give you an extra 3 months (I think) in the country but you cannot work during this time.

If he wasn't having TV free country he could apply for the open work permit and get implied acceptance. The problem is behind out of the country after the expiration date

circular flexing

COYVB wrote: »

If he wasn't having TV free country he could apply for the open work permit and get implied acceptance. The problem is behind out of the country after the expiration date

Yes, but you can get a bridging open work permit if your PR isn't fully processed by the time your open work permit expires?

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/bulletins/2013/ob485A.asp

COYVB

circular flexing wrote: »

Yes, but you can get a bridging open work permit if your PR isn't fully processed by the time your open work permit expires?

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/bulletins/2013/ob485A.asp

No, you get implied acceptance on your application for PR. You can't get a bridging permit. But leaving the country potentially nulls that

Key point in the link is one of the prerequisites: They have made application for an open WP.

The OP doesn't seem to have done that with their PR application

Energizer_Bat

Ok, I'm confused. I have an IEC visa and it expires in March 2015. My PR is sent in and processing at the moment.

Do I need to apply for another Visa to be able to work after March?
I thought I would have implied acceptance.

COYVB

Energizer_Bat wrote: »

Ok, I'm confused. I have an IEC visa and it expires in March 2015. My PR is sent in and processing at the moment.

Do I need to apply for another Visa to be able to work after March?
I thought I would have implied acceptance.

You need to apply for an open work permit with your permanent residency application or once your IEC expires you can't work. You get implied acceptance to stay in the country, but you need the owp application to be in as well to get implied acceptance on that

Energizer_Bat

Ok,Thanks. My PR is still being processed and looking at the "Who can apply for an Open work Permit" page it says that my PR has to have been approved.

COYVB

Call CIC and ask. Tell them you forgot to include your OWP application with your PR application, and ask if it's okay to send it in now. If they say it's alright, then get all the paperwork, fill out the forms, pay the money, print the receipt and send it all off to the same place as your PR application went. If they haven't actually started work on your PR application you should be okay (that is to say the last mail you got was informing you that it had been received), if they have started working on it (that is to say the last mail you got from them explicitly said that they were now processing your file), then you might not be in luck.

The key thing for anyone applying for PR is that you MUST send your open work permit application along with your PR application to ensure implied acceptance both of staying in Canada, and being able to work on the terms of your existing work permit. Also important to note that your application for both PR and the OWP must be sent and received (send it registered mail at least 3 weeks before your work permit expires so you'll have the tracking information to show that it was received at the office) BEFORE your current work permit expires. If they get it even the day after your current one expires, you could potentially be kicked out

Energizer_Bat

Thanks, This sucks. The process is so unclear. I never seen any of this when applying for my PR.

Energizer_Bat

Ok just spoke to CIC and thought I would put the information here for peeps.

I am on the IEC visa programme and it expires in early March 2015. My permanent residency application has been submitted since Feb 2014.

Since my PR application is only "In Process" I cannot apply for an Open Work Permit until it gets implied acceptance. Also it needs to be in Implied Acceptance status over 4 months from my visa expiration otherwise I may not get the OWP in time.

The other option would be to get an LMO from my employer which probably won't happen as my position is not in short supply(Sys Admin).
Once my current visa expires I have to stop working and cannot apply for an reissue of my work permit for 90 days.

The kicker for me aswell is that my PR application was in "Application Received" status until I emailed them on Monday and then it suddenly changed status to "In Process".

My only real hope is for my application to move pretty quick now which probably won't happen.

COYVB

Energizer_Bat wrote: »

Ok just spoke to CIC and thought I would put the information here for peeps.

I am on the IEC visa programme and it expires in early March 2015. My permanent residency application has been submitted since Feb 2014.

Since my PR application is only "In Process" I cannot apply for an Open Work Permit until it gets implied acceptance. Also it needs to be in Implied Acceptance status over 4 months from my visa expiration otherwise I may not get the OWP in time.

The other option would be to get an LMO from my employer which probably won't happen as my position is not in short supply(Sys Admin).
Once my current visa expires I have to stop working and cannot apply for an reissue of my work permit for 90 days.

The kicker for me aswell is that my PR application was in "Application Received" status until I emailed them on Monday and then it suddenly changed status to "In Process".

My only real hope is for my application to move pretty quick now which probably won't happen.

The good news is that you've changed to in process, apparently from that point it can be quite fast be approved in principle! I'm also happy at this because I applied in February too. Not that you care but yay

Energizer_Bat

Haha, thanks. The advise was very much appreciated as you may have helped me avoid a disaster.

All i can do is wait. Also my work is going to help in anyway possible.

COYVB

Energizer_Bat wrote: »

Haha, thanks. The advise was very much appreciated as you may have helped me avoid a disaster.

All i can do is wait. Also my work is going to help in anyway possible.

They've upped the cost of an LMO to $1000 this year, which is insane (i got one in March 2013 that cost something like $250), but there's probably a route you can take to get you through the few months if needed. I'm sure someone here will have done ideas. There's almost always a (legal) workaround

Energizer_Bat

Yep, My work will talk to their immigration lawyer and we'll see.

Frank Bullitt

For anyone doing PNP like myself here in BC, the processing times have gone up to 10 months or so now, thats almost double now in 4 weeks or so.

My application should be in by end of month, so it will be tight for me!

vwgolfmk504

hey guys, just beginning the pr process now, does anyone know about this express entry route? As in should I Just wait until it comes in In January 2015? I doubt ill be able to get everything done before then..

When this comes in does that mean the old/current process is completely gone?

sashafierce

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Shaggy008

Sorry if this has been answered already I need to clarify. I am thinking about applying for PR. My current IEC visa expires in May 2015. Is my best option to apply to extend my current visa and apply for PR ? Any advice would be greatly appreciated

circular flexing

Shaggy008 wrote: »

Sorry if this has been answered already I need to clarify. I am thinking about applying for PR. My current IEC visa expires in May 2015. Is my best option to apply to extend my current visa and apply for PR ? Any advice would be greatly appreciated

You cannot extend an IEC and they don't have implied status. Once your IEC expires, you would no longer be allowed to work but you could change your status to visitor while waiting for PR. You should apply for PR now.

meelyb

Hi,

My BF and I are applying for the CEC this month - using my BF as chief applicant as he has a trade and so is a 'stronger' applicant. I am listed as his dependent (common law partner). My boyfriend is a plumber. I am in finance/admin. We have been working here since May 2013 on the IEC. As of May this year though, admin assistants are not an accepted profession under the CEC. Just wondering, how is the common law partner affected if we are doing it through my boyfriend and his profession is approved. I am guessing I am okay- for example if we applied under the skilled workers, I could work and not be expected to work in trades/construction..... anyone apply for PR through their other half and work in different areas? Thanks

Shaggy008

vwgolfmk504 wrote: »

hey guys, just beginning the pr process now, does anyone know about this express entry route? As in should I Just wait until it comes in In January 2015? I doubt ill be able to get everything done before then..

When this comes in does that mean the old/current process is completely gone?

Hi vwgolfmk504,

Im at the same stage as you. The only information I have about this express entry is this link in the title above.

Very little information is available although they say this process is based online and will take about 6 months to process. I have consulted some agency about waiting for this and they are to get back to me shortly, even they say are not quiet sure.

Priv98

meelyb wrote: »

Hi,

My BF and I are applying for the CEC this month - using my BF as chief applicant as he has a trade and so is a 'stronger' applicant. I am listed as his dependent (common law partner). My boyfriend is a plumber. I am in finance/admin. We have been working here since May 2013 on the IEC. As of May this year though, admin assistants are not an accepted profession under the CEC. Just wondering, how is the common law partner affected if we are doing it through my boyfriend and his profession is approved. I am guessing I am okay- for example if we applied under the skilled workers, I could work and not be expected to work in trades/construction..... anyone apply for PR through their other half and work in different areas? Thanks

Hi Meelyb

Sorry for going off topic. My husband is a plumber, he is looking for work in Canada. Can your boyfriend help with contacts of companies that are looking for plumbers? We are looking for a company that can provide LMO/LMIA. Thank you in advance

...or who have a valid job offer

Express Entry candidates with a valid job offer or provincial/territorial nomination will quickly receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/employers/express-entry-sheet.asp

Frank Bullitt

I have been following the stuff in relation for EE lately, as it is getting close to me having enough experience to apply.

I couldn't apply before end of year because I was short of the experience, EE seems like a totally different ball game and I am thinking about getting a consultation from a lawyer to weigh up my options, my job have also offered to sponsor me but current BC PNP times are up near 9 months.

sashafierce

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Frank Bullitt

Sacramento wrote: »

...or who have a valid job offer




http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/employers/express-entry-sheet.asp

Herein lies another issue thought with EE, its really not very clear on some quite important things.

No mention at all about bridging permits, which for some people (like me) is of some importance as my visa is up next July.

Arainn03

Hi,

I am submitting my BC PNP application next week but with the processing times increased to around 9 months I won't have the acceptance from PNP before my IEC visa expires in May. My understanding is that you need to have the PNP acceptance and a work support letter from them before you can apply for the bridging visa. Is there any other option available so that I can extend my visa or get a temporary one so that I can keep working?

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks.

Frank Bullitt

Arainn03 wrote: »

Hi,

I am submitting my BC PNP application next week but with the processing times increased to around 9 months I won't have the acceptance from PNP before my IEC visa expires in May. My understanding is that you need to have the PNP acceptance and a work support letter from them before you can apply for the bridging visa. Is there any other option available so that I can extend my visa or get a temporary one so that I can keep working?

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks.

It can depend, if your job can get an LMIA for you then you can get an extension, but these cost $1,000, and can be a minefield for employers to get.

You can also apply through EE as well, but there has been no mention of bridging visas as of yet.

Arainn03

Yeah heard that it is tricky. Thanks for the response. Best wishes for 2015 :-)

COYVB

Up to 16 months wait for phase 1 of inland applications now. Complete joke. Was 8 months when I applied in Feb last year and in those eleven months they've managed to get through a whoppong great 3 months of applications. So much for speeding things up by moving everything to Mississauga...