This is my desperate situation :

My Name is Carlos, and I have been working since February 2007 in Canada.

This letter is to explain my delicate situation regarding my work permit and the implications my family and I are currently having to deal with, due to the recent changes on process time.

I get my work permit for 6 months, (it expired on July 31), and so I ask for a Work permit extension on June 29 (30 days in advance of the expiry date, which was the regular processing time, at that time). This process was changed due to the volume of application to 41 days, and recently was changed again to 61 Days.

My Family (My Wife and My Son) are coming to visit me and according to 30 days we made a series of plans and took a series of very important resolutions, but due to the new change on process time, this seriously affects me and my family in many ways:


1.My Wife and my Son are homeless right now in my country because they ended their apartment lease on July 15. They are currently living from one place to another with relatives and friends; this situation has been very stressful for both my Wife and specially my Son of 5 years old. It hurts me knowing that my family is displaced at the moment.


2. My Wife is also, now unemployed because she also quit her job to make the trip to Canada.

3. My Wife already make the plane ticket arrangement, for a flight on August 25


4. My Son need to be here before Sept 5 in order to register him in the school I have already set him up with


5. I need my new work permit to apply for Nova Scotia's Health Insurance program for me and my family. And I also need this to complete my Son’s registration at his new school.

6. In the top of that My wife just told me that ticket plane are 500 dolars more expensive in September.

Me and My boss called to inmigration call center but as you must ges was loosing time only, they wash their hands.

I went to immigration oficce in this city and All i get was an appointment for one more week.

Every day Im more disapointed of Canada and its burocarcy, this system doesn nothing to help and keep skilled People .


We would really appreciate any Kind of advice

Hi Carlos,

Take a look at the FAQ of this website. I'm in the same situation. I applied 2 month ago and I didn't get any feedback from the CIC. But don't worry. You don't have to leave the country until you get a decision, even otherwise your work permit expires.

Good luck.

Rodrigo.

3. What happens if my current work permit expires after I apply for extension?

The immigration status of an applicant remains intact for the duration of the processing of the application and until a decision is received, even if the original work permit otherwise expires. It is important to note, however, that departure from Canada after the expiration of a work permit can still result in a failure to receive admission when seeking to return.