Inland Application 2011

[cililoca]

Thanks for the info about the medical, crisis averted!

I see what you're saying, I guess for us it's especially frustrating because all she wants to do is work, and the amount of hoops we have to jump through borders on the ridiculous. Thanks again for the advice!

Do you mind me asking what happened with the first app? Best of luck to you this time around.

You're right, it's unbelievably frustrating, expensive, time consuming, and completely unproductive. But they aren't gonna change things for us, I'm sure. The awful thing is, they actually tightened immigration rules around Mexicans about the same time as we met!

We don't want to take any undue risks with starting businesses and having her 'work' that way. We've considered it, but I don't think it's worth it. We just want it to be over so we can get on with our lives!

She's interviewed with several companies - NO ONE wants to do an LMO. Just not worth the time and effort, when they can find a Canadian who's almost as qualified.

interesting. Our experience with the border agents has always been favourable, but i can see what you mean about it just taking one bad agent to ruin it for us. I'm aware that the VISA doesn't guarantee her entry - however she's had probably 10 stamps in her passport from entering/exiting Canada, and typically the border guards are always satisfied with out story. We're pretty likeable people, so maybe that helps

Well I must say, I'm definitely a little scared now - considering she's already in Mexico now, should she come back sooner than planned? I was going to meet her there at the end of July, spend a week with her family, and then come back together. Is it worth her coming back now? I fear that should she encounter a bad border guard on the way back, she may not be able to handle it as my professionally as if I was with her (not gloating, just really a language barrier).

Oh what a headache.....

Thanks again everyone, really really helpful stuff here.

Do you really think your wife is the only one that just wants to work and get on with her life? We all do and we all get frustrated and angry at the system. If you guys wanted to come and go she should have applied outside, it's not only faster but you can get your multiple entry visa, come and go as you please and don't risk your immigration being cancelled. You are gambling with your luck, as people said, it takes only one immigration officer in a bad day and you are DONE! I hope you get away with it but it's all a big shot in the dark!

I speak English fluently, have work experience in Canada working in the Oil Industry and could not get a job either that would give me LMO. I'm also very career driven and the wait has been really painful, however I could not bear the thought of staying away from my husband, not even a week, or a month, when we have to spend the night apart it's very hard already! We are all on the same boat, if you have the money what she should be doing is investing in some English classes so when she can finally work she can find a proper job in a Canadian Company, as without speaking proper English that will be a challenge!

I wish the best luck for you guys, but you have to understand you are just like everybody else, be patient and careful in what you do. Immigration is getting each day more though and it doesn't take much for them to start finding you relationship "suspicious".

[canadiancitizen]

Oh!  Guess what came in the mail!   A few more dates to add to the group.

App Received: July 15 2011
App Started: Aug 3, 2011
AIP: May 31, 2012
DM: June 4, 2012
Interview: June 18, 2012 (Vancouver)

We are so not waiting for the PR Card. I'm pre-filling out the "Application for a Travel Document (Permanent Resident Abroad)" for the Sao Paulo Canadian Consulate so that I can go visit my in-laws!  What do you think, is it too early to book plane tickets?

Congratulations... go for it, nothing to worry, we bought our tickets the day we received that letter, then we emailed the Canadian Consulate asking for the exact forms, they responded in less than 24 hours, and we filled those forms before leaving on vacation and remember to bring a 50$ bill they do not accept visa payment or local currency... Enjoy Sao Paulo...  we are already planning to visit  (FIFA world Cup)...

[waiting_marta]

I felt pretty secure when I left Canada over a month ago during the 1st stage, coz I thought that since I'm from a visa expempt country I wouldn't have any issues on my way back. And guess what happened on the border? They said my previous work permit expired and I'm not allowed to go back (even though I don't need a visa to get in!). I started explaining that I applied for PR and my common-law partner is Canadian and is waiting on the other side of the airport. The CBSA guy was indeed in a pissy mood and I couldn't believe it's happening... Thank God he typed in my case number and it turned out that CIC just recently (May 31) decided that I'm eligible to apply for PR and planned to send me an OWP. I'm pretty sure that if not that lucky update I wouldn't be here now...

P.S. Medicals need to be done by doctors specified by CIC (if applied INLAND- there's a list of inland doctors in each bigger canadian city, if applied OUTSIDE- there's a list of doctors provided by canadian consulates in each country).    

[Markm]

I felt pretty secure when I left Canada over a month ago during the 1st stage, coz I thought that since I'm from a visa expempt country I wouldn't have any issues on my way back. And guess what happened on the border? They said my previous work permit expired and I'm not allowed to go back (even though I don't need a visa to get in!). I started explaining that I applied for PR and my common-law partner is Canadian and is waiting on the other side of the airport. The CBSA guy was indeed in a pissy mood and I couldn't believe it's happening... Thank God he typed in my case number and it turned out that CIC just recently (May 31) decided that I'm eligible to apply for PR and planned to send me an OWP. I'm pretty sure that if not that lucky update I wouldn't be here now...

P.S. Medicals need to be done by doctors specified by CIC (if applied INLAND- there's a list of inland doctors in each bigger canadian city, if applied OUTSIDE- there's a list of doctors provided by canadian consulates in each country).    

Wow, that's extremely lucky. That said, I think that answers my above question of receiving AIP while she's out of the country - thanks for that.

Do you really think your wife is the only one that just wants to work and get on with her life? We all do and we all get frustrated and angry at the system. If you guys wanted to come and go she should have applied outside, it's not only faster but you can get your multiple entry visa, come and go as you please and don't risk your immigration being cancelled. You are gambling with your luck, as people said, it takes only one immigration officer in a bad day and you are DONE! I hope you get away with it but it's all a big shot in the dark!

I speak English fluently, have work experience in Canada working in the Oil Industry and could not get a job either that would give me LMO. I'm also very career driven and the wait has been really painful, however I could not bear the thought of staying away from my husband, not even a week, or a month, when we have to spend the night apart it's very hard already! We are all on the same boat, if you have the money what she should be doing is investing in some English classes so when she can finally work she can find a proper job in a Canadian Company, as without speaking proper English that will be a challenge!

I wish the best luck for you guys, but you have to understand you are just like everybody else, be patient and careful in what you do. Immigration is getting each day more though and it doesn't take much for them to start finding you relationship "suspicious".

No, I don't think I'm the only one in this situation - nor did I say or imply that I was. Didn't mean to offend you, or come across like our case is special. Just giving you guys the specifics of our situation - thank you for the response, sans the attitude.  And it's fantastic that everyone here is an expert on these topics, but when this is all happening in the beginning, and you're getting different advice from lawyers, different advice from CIC reps, and finding even different advice online, it's not easy to decide whether or not to appy inland out outland. Not only that, but a very close friend of mine had gone through the EXACT same situation I was in, only she was about a year ahead of me. She applied inland, her husband got his multiple VISA, they visited Mexico regularly, etc etc. and never had a problem. Seeing this first hand, and on the advice of our lawyer (whether she was right or not is now irrelevant), we applied inland. Pretty easy for you to look at my situation and say 'in hindsight, this is what you should have done'.

She does speak English quite well, but of course your 2nd or 3rd language will never be equivalent to a native speaker. I'm sure you can understand that your husband likely has a better grasp of English than you do (no offense intended, as your English is excellent -  and assuming he was born and raised in an English-speaking environment). Given a sticky situation like dealing with a border agent, I think I'm better equipped to handle the situation than her.

Anyways, it's too late now. Retrospect is great and hindsight is always 20/20, but now you know what my situation is. The question that I posed, was, now that she's already out of the Country, is the general consensus that's it better to come back immediately, or stick to our plan (me going to see her in July, and us coming back together).

Of course, if I get a letter saying she needs an interview, then she's going to have to come back. If not, we'll get AIP and OWP, and be asked for medical and police checks.

Let's assume for the sake of my example that she does not need an interview. If she gets the AIP, and she's outside of the country, then I would think she should have no problems returning? Or will she still be subject to pissy border guards ruining our party?

I apologize for my long rants and even more so if I offended anyone, certainly not my intention. I know we're all in similar situations, and that we must be patient. best of luck to all.

[tzing]

I felt pretty secure when I left Canada over a month ago during the 1st stage, coz I thought that since I'm from a visa expempt country I wouldn't have any issues on my way back. And guess what happened on the border? They said my previous work permit expired and I'm not allowed to go back (even though I don't need a visa to get in!). I started explaining that I applied for PR and my common-law partner is Canadian and is waiting on the other side of the airport. The CBSA guy was indeed in a pissy mood and I couldn't believe it's happening... Thank God he typed in my case number and it turned out that CIC just recently (May 31) decided that I'm eligible to apply for PR and planned to send me an OWP. I'm pretty sure that if not that lucky update I wouldn't be here now...

P.S. Medicals need to be done by doctors specified by CIC (if applied INLAND- there's a list of inland doctors in each bigger canadian city, if applied OUTSIDE- there's a list of doctors provided by canadian consulates in each country).    

wow you are really lucky, but if i were you, i would probably panic at that moment. what is wrong with CIC and CBSA....they don't catch and have no ability to catch the fake refugees, but get pissed at people who deserve to stay in canada and have potential to work and pay taxes. it makes me mad every time i hear story like yours.

[Markm]

wow you are really lucky, but if i were you, i would probably panic at that moment. what is wrong with CIC and CBSA....they don't catch and have no ability to catch the fake refugees, but get pissed at people who deserve to stay in canada and have potential to work and pay taxes. it makes me mad every time i hear story like yours.

This is probably the most frustrating aspect of it all. They put processes in place to deter criminals from entering, but by doing so make it even harder for those with legitimate relationships to have a decent quality of life, at least for the first year (or longer in many cases). For a country that was built from the ground up on immigration, it's surprising.

[tzing]

Wow, that's extremely lucky. That said, I think that answers my above question of receiving AIP while she's out of the country - thanks for that.

I apologize for my long rants and even more so if I offended anyone, certainly not my intention. I know we're all in similar situations, and that we must be patient. best of luck to all.
Do you really think your wife is the only one that just wants to work and get on with her life? We all do and we all get frustrated and angry at the system. If you guys wanted to come and go she should have applied outside, it's not only faster but you can get your multiple entry visa, come and go as you please and don't risk your immigration being cancelled. You are gambling with your luck, as people said, it takes only one immigration officer in a bad day and you are DONE! I hope you get away with it but it's all a big shot in the dark!


No, I don't think I'm the only one in this situation - nor did I say or imply that I was. Didn't mean to offend you, or come across like our case is special. Just giving you guys the specifics of our situation - thank you for the response, sans the attitude.  And it's fantastic that everyone here is an expert on these topics, but when this is all happening in the beginning, and you're getting different advice from lawyers, different advice from CIC reps, and finding even different advice online, it's not easy to decide whether or not to appy inland out outland. Not only that, but a very close friend of mine had gone through the EXACT same situation I was in, only she was about a year ahead of me. She applied inland, her husband got his multiple VISA, they visited Mexico regularly, etc etc. and never had a problem. Seeing this first hand, and on the advice of our lawyer (whether she was right or not is now irrelevant), we applied inland. Pretty easy for you to look at my situation and say 'in hindsight, this is what you should have done'.

She does speak English quite well, but of course your 2nd or 3rd language will never be equivalent to a native speaker. I'm sure you can understand that your husband likely has a better grasp of English than you do (no offense intended, as your English is excellent -  and assuming he was born and raised in an English-speaking environment). Given a sticky situation like dealing with a border agent, I think I'm better equipped to handle the situation than her.

Anyways, it's too late now. Retrospect is great and hindsight is always 20/20, but now you know what my situation is. The question that I posed, was, now that she's already out of the Country, is the general consensus that's it better to come back immediately, or stick to our plan (me going to see her in July, and us coming back together).

Of course, if I get a letter saying she needs an interview, then she's going to have to come back. If not, we'll get AIP and OWP, and be asked for medical and police checks.

Let's assume for the sake of my example that she does not need an interview. If she gets the AIP, and she's outside of the country, then I would think she should have no problems returning? Or will she still be subject to pissy border guards ruining our party?

i think the requirement for applying for in-land sponsorship cases is that you have to be inside the country, otherwise everyone else will be doing what you are doing, apply then leave the country. however, i've never read on the government website or the forum here what they will do if you apply then leave Canada. but if your wife has a visa to come back to canada, i don't know if customs and CIC can see the PR application when she comes back. and if she doesn't have a visa to come back, then she can't go to the landing interview in Canada. even if she apply for a visa, they will ask her if she has applied for PR etc.  A lot of the applicants on this forum dare not to leave Canada after they submit the application unless emergency. so I think you need someone with the exact same experience to share with you. hopefully there is one.

[tzing]

This is probably the most frustrating aspect of it all. They put processes in place to deter criminals from entering, but by doing so make it even harder for those with legitimate relationships to have a decent quality of life, at least for the first year (or longer in many cases). For a country that was built from the ground up on immigration, it's surprising.

i think comparing to the 380,000 people worldwide applying to immigrate as skilled workers before 2008, we are all pretty lucky here. they have been waiting for 4-5 years, but was dismissed just like that. all application returned and no explanation. Canada's immigration policy is going down. and policy for parents and grandparents is even worse. i wonder how canadians whose family are affected by those policies would vote in 4 years, but they probably will forget in 4 years. not mentioning the family sponsorship cases. if you married an American, you can get green card in 3 months....3 months you don't even get a file number in Canada

[Markm]

i think the requirement for applying for in-land sponsorship cases is that you have to be inside the country, otherwise everyone else will be doing what you are doing, apply then leave the country. however, i've never read on the government website or the forum here what they will do if you apply then leave Canada. but if your wife has a visa to come back to canada, i don't know if customs and CIC can see the PR application when she comes back. and if she doesn't have a visa to come back, then she can't go to the landing interview in Canada. even if she apply for a visa, they will ask her if she has applied for PR etc.  A lot of the applicants on this forum dare not to leave Canada after they submit the application unless emergency. so I think you need someone with the exact same experience to share with you. hopefully there is one.

That's exactly my concern - I have never heard any of this information before today. Lawyers, CIC themselves, friends, websites - the only time I've heard not to leave the country or they'll abandon the app, is today. My lawyer even encouraged her to apply for the multiple entrance VISA so that she could do this! Too much information going in all sorts of directions. I doubt they can see the application - as I mentioned, my wife has a multiple-entrance VISA good for 5 years, and we've been on about 5 trips outside of Canada. She also has a US VISA good for 10 years, so we regularly drive down to Washington- NEVER an issue. When we applied for this VISA, CIC asked why - and we explicitly told them, because we have an inland application for sponsorship, and my wife wants to visit Mexico while we wait. They said okay, here's your VISA - now I'm hearing here that this is a bad idea? Why would they even give her the multiple entrance VISA, if we had an inland application already filed, and we said 'she wants to leave the country a bunch of times'. Doesn't seem to make sense. Also, why is that every time we've re-entered Canada from abroad, they ask what our situation is, and we explain it in the same detail I'm explaining here. Then they stamp her passport and say welcome back? But someone just told me that if any border agent finds out about our situation, they'll deny her entry. But, my experience says otherwise.

Also, at LEAST 5 agents from CIC have said the ONLY time there's an issue, is if they don't let her back in the country. Sure, that's a possibility, but considering our squeeky-clean record, and multiple encounters with CBSA re-entering, I just don't know if it's as risky as I'm being led to believe. I think a lot of misinformation has somehow spread, and maybe people's individual experiences are being regarded as the 'rules'. I guess every case really is different, as much as we all like to think we're in the same boat.

[finebaby]

Hello everyone
My husband and i just got our letters in the mail...confirming AIP, and asking me to apply 4 owp. please how do i go about my health card ? someone shld help out pls... what and what do i need? i know i have bn in this forum for long , giving advice and reading up but when it is happening to u, it just seem u are clueless about everything...(i guess its over excitement). please some one should send me d online link for open work permit....i cant go back on the forum looking for where its posted.
To all the people still waiting, Keep on keeping on! it will soon happen 4 all u.....

[Markm]

i think comparing to the 380,000 people worldwide applying to immigrate as skilled workers before 2008, we are all pretty lucky here. they have been waiting for 4-5 years, but was dismissed just like that. all application returned and no explanation. Canada's immigration policy is going down. and policy for parents and grandparents is even worse. i wonder how canadians whose family are affected by those policies would vote in 4 years, but they probably will forget in 4 years. not mentioning the family sponsorship cases. if you married an American, you can get green card in 3 months....3 months you don't even get a file number in Canada

I did not know about this, that's awful - yes, we definitely have it lucky compared to this group. I guess we just take certain things for granted here!

[lilizinha]

On cic website

Frequently asked questions: Sponsoring your family

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/faq/immigrate/sponsor/index.asp

Inside Canada
•average of 12 to 18 months to process routine applications
•no right of appeal
•you are advised to stay in Canada while your application is being processed (If you leave Canada and cannot re-enter, the application will be abandoned)
•you can send an application for an open work permit with the sponsorship application (the permit will be issued as soon as you are eligible for it)

Applying for permanent residence from within Canada: Spouse or common-law partner in Canada class (Guide)
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5289ETOC.asp#5289E2

Before you apply
Important information

Things to remember
•Leaving Canada can automatically cancel temporary resident status as a visitor, student or worker.

The person being sponsored has no guarantee that he or she will be permitted to return or re‑enter Canada if he or she leaves before permanent residence is approved. This is especially true if a Temporary Resident Visa is required to enter Canada.

[xxpazaway]

Hi, Perk and Everybody

Just an updated information from me,

Application received: July 13 2011
Start Process: July 26 2011
AIP: May 28 2012
DM: May 28 2012
Received OWP: June 1 2012
Received 2 letters for sponsor & PR applicant: June 4 2012
Not Received Landing appointment letter dated on May 30 2012 but I received a call from immigration officer said that my landing appointment on June 11 2012
Landed: June 11 2012

So I landed yesterday morning and everythings just simple, just confirm your name, address, no crime record then welcome to Canada and now you are Permanent Resident of Canada, Congratulation!

Congratulation!

[Markm]

•you are advised to stay in Canada while your application is being processed (If you leave Canada and cannot re-enter, the application will be abandoned)


Things to remember
•Leaving Canada can automatically cancel temporary resident status as a visitor, student or worker.

The person being sponsored has no guarantee that he or she will be permitted to return or re‑enter Canada if he or she leaves before permanent residence is approved. This is especially true if a Temporary Resident Visa is required to enter Canada.

These statements seem to contradict eachother, but such is the nature of CIC.

Also, when we applied for the multiple-entrance VISA after we applied for the sponsorship, and we even had to reference our inland application before they would approve this VISA. We clearly stated the reason for wanting the multiple-entrance VISA was so that she could visit Mexico while we wait for our application to be processed. She went for 3 months in October - December 2011, and we told the CBSA guard upon re-entry about our application and why she was in Mexico - no problem at all. Also, according to multiple CIC agents she has implied status. They all also told me that though theres always a risk of not being allowed re-entry, a mulitple-entrance VISA lowers this risk significantly. I can totally see the issue with people and SINGLE entrance VISAs, as they would have to re-apply for entrance every time they wanted to come back. However, this is not the case with a multiple-entrance VISA.

Now im curious to know if anyone one here whos providing me with advice has a multiple entrance VISA? Because otherwise, I think I may in a different situation than most.

[cililoca]

The inland process is designed to people that will stay IN Canada, not outside. You have implied status when you apply for your immigration INLAND and even with multiple entry visa you can be denied if the official at the port of entry thinks that you do not have plans to leave Canada after your stay. What happens is sometimes even the immigration officers have mixed information about the process, knowing very little about what really is allowed and what is not and to be safe they deny whatever is in front of them if he can't find your case in his books.

The outland process is designed for people in your situation, that want to come and go with MULTIPLE entry visa! That's why you apply OUTland, because you are going to stay OUTside and possibly come in as a visitor. In your case you are on the board's official hand, because normally who has multiple entry visa has to provide proof that they want to leave Canada and do not want to stay long term, if a picky immigration official is in a bad day he can think you are trying to dupe the system as even though you have an application for immigration it's INSIDE and she should be at least living with you for the majority of the process if not the whole thing that's the meaning of INSIDE application that your spouse resides with you IN Canada, doesn't matter if you have bills and so on together, residence requires presence, and if she is not here it's not the right processing.

You have been lucky so far and I hope you continue to be so, but you are not in a different situation, you have just been misinformed and are risking your spouses immigration you keep asking the same questions and people have answered time and again, it seems you keep pushing to hear your case is somewhat different, you have to understand it's not, you just have gambled with chance! Sometimes you win, good, but sometimes you lose, hope it doesn't happen to you but if it does in the last minute you will regret big time. I suggest you read a bit more the CIC website and this forum as well, I'm sure you will find the answer for many of your questions.

Other than that I hope things work for you, but in your spouses place I would come back right away, specially because your first stage is close to an end and they can schedule the landing interview quite quickly.