Pulling out my hair and husband is already bald

[American_Woman]

I'm an American citizen and I have been in Vancouver, Canada as a legal visitor for the last year. I entered YVR airport in April of 2010 and my fiancée and I got married in July. I applied for a visitor visa renewal one month before it was set to expire and I explained that I was married to a Canadian citizen and was intending to do a spousal sponsorship app. I included proof or marriage, etc. I waited 5 months for an answer. Found out in January that I was refused due to "failure to verify identify" or some such nonsense. Was told by someone at the CIC call center this is usually due to not including passport copy (which I did include). The notice said that my time was now up and that I had 90 days to apply for restoration or leave. I was told by Canadian immigration that it would be best for me to cross the border at Blaine, WA and then come back into Canada to renew my visitor visa so that I can submit the sponsorship paperwork. I feel really awkward about having to lie to border officials about my intentions on entering the country. I don't intend to leave so why should I tell them I am going to? The same official at CIC told me that if I send the restoration app along with the spousal sponsorship paperwork and then was denied the restoration, I would still have to leave Canada and they would throw out my sponsorship application. However, I re-read the application packet I was sent and it says that If I am out of status I can still apply. I feel so confused and completely jacked around. I want to be with my husband as I have no ties back in the USA. I would essentially be homeless if I was forced to leave. If it is true that I can apply while being "out of status" then what is the point of telling me to leave or face the consequences? My husband is really insulted that he, as a Canadian citizen, is having to face the prospect of sending his wife away. Can anyone shed any light on this frustrating situation? I go into tears just thinking about it.

[Leon]

So you were married in July.  Why did you not apply for sponsorship yet?

If you leave Canada, there is no guarantee that the IO will let you back in.  Was it your intention to apply outland or inland?  Outland is usually recommended for Americans because it is faster but it does not  guarantee that you get to stay in Canada.  If you apply outland you would be sending your sponsorship package to Mississauga and your restoration to Vegreville with the explanations that you were mistakenly refused to extend your visit visa because you did include a copy of your passport.  For this time, make sure it is a good copy and get it certified just in case.

If you apply inland you send everything to Vegreville in one package but then it would not be advisable to leave Canada at all while your application is in process because for inland, you must be living in Canada and if you are ever refused entry to get back, you lose the application.

[scylla]

As Leon has suggested, apply outland - NOT inland. The processing could be done in just a few months (my husband's took 4). Get the application in as soon as you can. Delaying things will just create further stress and potentially problems for you. Any chance that you can submit the outland application before you leave Canada to re-enter from the US? (Have you started putting the application together yet?) 

Keep in mind that as an American without PR, you're only allowed to visit Canada (not live here). And it's entirely up to you to submit the sponsorship application to change your status. So the sooner you submit the paperwork, the better off you'll be.

Good luck!

[American_Woman]

The reason that we did not apply last year was because we did not have the money. Husband filed his taxes this year and now we have the money and his tax assessments, etc. Also, we were told by someone not to send the inland Spousal application until we received a response about my application to renew my visitors visa. I believed that I would be approved, because there was no reason to not approve me so I already did the medical exam in December when I had the money as an inland application. I have everything ready to submit next week if I can square away this "status" issue. I still have 3 weeks to file restoration or whatever. I just feel mighty uncomfortable crossing the border and lying to an agent about "visiting".

[Material]

The reason that we did not apply last year was because we did not have the money. Husband filed his taxes this year and now we have the money and his tax assessments, etc. Also, we were told by someone not to send the inland Spousal application until we received a response about my application to renew my visitors visa. I believed that I would be approved, because there was no reason to not approve me so I already did the medical exam in December when I had the money as an inland application. I have everything ready to submit next week if I can square away this "status" issue. I still have 3 weeks to file restoration or whatever. I just feel mighty uncomfortable crossing the border and lying to an agent about "visiting".

Again applying inland isnt the best idea.Do u know the difference between inland and outland? are u prepared for it ? here is a link to show u what your up for:

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/spousal-sponsorship-t46995.0.html

Read the top thread

Cheers

[American_Woman]

Thank you, That was the first link I read when I came here. lol Yes, I know the difference but since I've already sent the medical form as "inland" I do not want to pay for it again as being "outland"...I thought that perhaps instead of leaving and trying to re-enter, I could send the restoration application, along with my Spousal application as proof.

[Material]

Thank you, That was the first link I read when I came here. lol Yes, I know the difference but since I've already sent the medical form as "inland" I do not want to pay for it again as being "outland"...I thought that perhaps instead of leaving and trying to re-enter, I could send the restoration application, along with my Spousal application as proof.

A lot of people apply without knowing so thats why I wanted to see if you were good 

Good luck

[American_Woman]

Thank you Material. Trust me, I've been doing so much reading and investigation about this it's driving me crazy about what to do. LOL!

[uccemebug]

Thank you Material. Trust me, I've been doing so much reading and investigation about this it's driving me crazy about what to do. LOL!

We're all in something of the same boat. I wish you well whatever you decide to do.

Could anyone here comment on the idea of American_Woman perhaps filing her inland application with an application for a work visa?

[American_Woman]

We're all in something of the same boat. I wish you well whatever you decide to do.

Could anyone here comment on the idea of American_Woman perhaps filing her inland application with an application for a work visa?

Thank you very much. I realize that everyone is pretty much here for the same reasons. Looking for answers and anxious about the outcomes. I'm sorry if I've come across as "nuts" =P haha I just want to become a productive member of society asap. I've been out of work for a year due to this and am starting to go stir crazy. hehe

[Material]

We're all in something of the same boat. I wish you well whatever you decide to do.

Could anyone here comment on the idea of American_Woman perhaps filing her inland application with an application for a work visa?

You mean work permit right ? defenetly include this with your app if your applying inland but since she is out of status ...hmmmmmmmmm  Im not sure if she will need to restore the status first?

[American_Woman]

You mean work permit right ? defenetly include this with your app if your applying inland but since she is out of status ...hmmmmmmmmm  Im not sure if she will need to restore the status first?

I'm still within my 90 grace period though so am I technically out of status?

[uccemebug]

You mean work permit right ?

Yes, sorry. Still a fresh newb to this stuff. Perhaps I shouldn't be speaking at all!! 8^P

[Material]

I'm still within my 90 grace period though so am I technically out of status?

Thats good that your still within the 90 day period ..but I think technically yeah ur out of status

[Material]

Yes, sorry. Still a fresh newb to this stuff. Perhaps I shouldn't be speaking at all!! 8^P

Believe or not we all were newbs LOOL   and we learned through sharing stories in this forum and asking so please speak and ask.... everybody here is great and helpful