Changing status while in Canada

[misskay]

Hi All, Need some input & advice.

I've applied outland via Sydney. I'm currently in Canada on a two year 'working holiday' visa that will expire in August. As I'm not entirely confident that my PR application will be processed before August, I'm looking at my options in advance. Thinking about taking temporary visitor status in August so I may extend my time in Canada while I wait .

Has anybody done this before (ie, shifted status from working holiday to visitor)? Will I be expected to leave the country and re-enter? Or can I apply from within Canada?

I don't believe that extending my current visa is an option as I've reached the age limit for the 'working holiday' visa class.

Any advice is appreciated

 

[vechappell]

You can change status/extend status while in Canada, leaving Canada would only complicate things I would think.

You are required to apply 30days before your current visa expires as this will give them time to process it, if you stay after your visa expires and you haven't renewed/applied for a different one your sponsor application will be denied as you will in Canada illegally.

If in doubt call CIC call centre I have found them very helpful, some people say they have had problems with them but they have always helped me.

Look on CIC website and search changing status, all the forms and fees are there.

 

[Pummelchen]

Its worth a try. I called CiC last week and they confirmed you can file two PR applications in parallel if they are of different type and you inform them once the 2nd one has been filed. So besides spouse sponsorship I prepare to join the PNP for NWT as that allows me to apply for PR after having worked only 6 months. Same with Yukon PNP. So in case spouse sponsorship gets rejected I would have the other PR still in process ;D

 

[Franzi]

I was in Canada on a Working Holiday Visa as well (I'm German) and it recently expired, so before it expired I applied to change my status in visitor.

I applied for the change on March 28. My Working Holiday Visa expired on April 9. On April 13 I got a letter with my new visitor record, the date they approved the change is April 3, and it's valid for 6 months.

If you're already in the process of your Sponsorship Application, just include that information and you should be fine. I'm still waiting for our marriage certificate so I didn't send the Sponsorship Application yet, but I stated that I will do it when we get our marriage certificate. make sure you include proof of how you will financially support yourself, since the visitor record doesn't allow you to work.

Good luck with everything!

Franzi

 

[misskay]

Thank you all for the replies. I will be applying for a visitor visa in June/July as recommended & will update here with results