inland / outland ? call for interview?

[zubee]

hi,

from all of the poster here i understand the outland application to sponsor my spouse take lesser time than inland even i can still let my spouse stay in Canada with visitor visa (from visa exempt country - HongKong), However, i would like to know about if.........

1) we apply our application outland, will it possible to ask my spouse for an interview at HongKong? is it a big chance to having an interview?

2) how long it takes to process the outland application for HONGKONG? where can i check for the timeline?

Thanks!

[Leon]

1) Yes, it is possible that your spouse will be called to Hong Kong for an interview.  I do not know how likely that is but I know that if you have a strong application and include everything that is needed, it is less likely.

2) You can see at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/canada/process-in.asp#sponsorship that it currently takes 36 days to process the part where they approve you for sponsor.  After that the file goes to Hong Kong and you can see their timeline here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/international/05-fc-spouses.asp#asia so 8 to 14 months but on average 11.

Since Hong Kong doesn't seem to be doing it very fast, it is possible in your case that inland would be faster.  If you applied inland, according to http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/canada/process-in.asp#perm_res it would take 6-7 months to get first stage approval and according to trackitt.com something like a year to get PR but the downsides with inland are: 1) that your spouse is advised not to travel while it's in process because if your spouse is for some reason denied entry into Canada again, the application and waiting time already done are out the window and 2) that if they decide they want an interview, the file will be forwarded to the CIC office where you live without first stage approval and depending on how busy your local CIC office is, that could mean 1-3 years of waiting for this interview without a work permit or health care or being able to leave without losing the application.

[Suin]

can multiple entry visa help during inland application?

[Leon]

Yes, there is less risk if you are visa exempt or have a valid multiple entry visa but it's still not advised to leave Canada while it's in process.  If you do, you do it at your own risk because if you can't get back in, your application is gone.

[zubee]

Thx alot Leon....i think we will go for the inland one as it takes so long  @  HongKong.

1 more question? can we apply Open Job permit during prcoessing the PR application? 

[Leon]

If you apply inland, you should send a request for extension of visit status and request for open work permit to be granted at first stage approval in the same package as the sponsorship application.  That way, they will automatically extend the visit status if the first stage approval takes longer than 6 months and your spouse will have the work permit as soon as the first stage approval is granted.

[zubee]

is that means i should send the "application to change conditiions, extend my stay or remain in canada"IMM1249 along with the PR application?
 
and there are 5 options i can check:
A - Extension of temporary resident status as visitor
B - An initial study permit or extension of study permit
C - An initial work permit or extension of work permit
D - Restoration of temporary resident status as a visitor, student or worker
E - Another temporary resident permit

So i should pick "B" on the extend application to apply for an OPEN JOB PERMIT? am i right?

[Leon]

Didn't you say work permit is C?  I'm not an expert on this but I think you should send two forms.  One for visit extension and one for work permit.  In the little box where you explain what conditions you want to change, on the former, write that your spouse wants a visit visa extension if the visit visa expires before first stage approval and on the 2nd for the work permit, write that your spouse wants to be issued an open work permit at the time of first stage approval.

[zubee]

thx for clarify!! I'll check on the open job permit on CIC's website as well.