I am currently on an IEC open work permit. Have already applied for PR through CEC economic and a new work permit as my current one expires February 5th 2015. I was basically wondering if i was to be rejected for PR and WP, could i put in an application to stay as visitor on a Visitor Visa?
Just because if I am rejected for the afore mentioned then I might just do a wee bit of travelling around BC and AB for a couple of months..
Yes - if your work permit is refused then you can apply to restore your status and also change your status to visitor.
Note that IEC visas cannot extended. This means that in order to keep working after February 5th, you need to have your new work permit approved. If your work permit is still being processed when February 5th rolls around, you'll have to stop working and wait for the results.
Thank you for your insight, i just spoke with CIC and explained my situation - I have been rejected for PR now and have not yet received a response regarding my new open WP which the call centre lady explained will for sure be refused due to me not having an LMIA. However, in terms of implied status, she said I am technically on implied status until i receive a decision on my WP and would not be breaking any rules (which is what I was most worried about, did not want to get in trouble for working past the 5th)
Anyway it's the 6th now and she said I am safe to go to work today but advised me to prepare to either send off another application with a restoration fee - I am actually thinking of getting my status restored as a visitor. I am just unsure when my 90 restoration period begins as of the 5th or as of when i receive a rejection for my WP? If you had any insight about that, that would be great.
She's wrong. Unfortunately the call centre staff give out bad information all of the time. IECs don't benefit from implied status (they are different from all other work permits in this regard). Any work after February 5th will be illegal. You need to stop working now.
