I'm the sponsor, married American last year, and finally got all my paperwork ready to file as OUTLAND.
Because my spouse comes over to Canada quite often (like every months and stays for couple of weeks), we thought we will APPLY as OUTLAND and have "visitor record" at the border so my spouse can stay in Canada until the process is done.(currently quit job to stay with me as a visitor)
When we crossed the border yesterday, and asked CBSA officer about little bit of "guidance", he told us that we should just file as INLAND now, and when we have AOR, my spouse can just cross the border to get OWP at the border entry (instead of applying online). That way, my spouse can start working ASAP and will have no problem staying in Canada as long as OWP is valid (he mentioned 2 yrs).
He said since the stamp is freshly stamped yesterday, AOR will arrive way before 6 months is up, so restoration is probably not neccessary.
He knows the whole process takes longer, but told me getting workpermit is faster than getting approval for PR.
He also said OWP will "serve" as "visitor record" to keep track of entry, so no need to apply for visitor record--as long as we can get the AOR and OWP before 6 month stay is up (from the date passport is stamped)
I also asked if 6 months stay for American is 6 months out of 12 months or if 6 months renews every time my spouse crosses border, and he said 6 months every time a person gets visa stamped (which I doubt based on what I read from several sources ??? )
So, now I'm little bit confused...
Based on info I have now, in my case,
INLAND
Pros
1. faster work permit (as soon as AOR) (crossing a border is not a problem for us since we have 3 ways to cross the border in the area)
2. faster work permit means sooner health benefit, bank account, etc.
Cons
1. takes freakin long (~2 yrs?) to complete the whole process
2. cannot appeal
OUTLAND
Pros
1. whole process may be over in 1 yr?
2. can appeal
Cons
1. Cross border constantly can be stressful proving strong ties to US. (currently my spouse don't even have a lease nor job, just a car parked in public storage)
2. delayed health care
3. more expensive for keeping up travels and 2 living costs
Since new pilot OWP is new to us, I wish anyone who's married to American and trying to file now can pitch in their 2 cents.
Does Open work permit in 4 months sound a lot better and worth the 2 yr wait in this case??
Because my spouse comes over to Canada quite often (like every months and stays for couple of weeks), we thought we will APPLY as OUTLAND and have "visitor record" at the border so my spouse can stay in Canada until the process is done.(currently quit job to stay with me as a visitor)
When we crossed the border yesterday, and asked CBSA officer about little bit of "guidance", he told us that we should just file as INLAND now, and when we have AOR, my spouse can just cross the border to get OWP at the border entry (instead of applying online). That way, my spouse can start working ASAP and will have no problem staying in Canada as long as OWP is valid (he mentioned 2 yrs).
He said since the stamp is freshly stamped yesterday, AOR will arrive way before 6 months is up, so restoration is probably not neccessary.
He knows the whole process takes longer, but told me getting workpermit is faster than getting approval for PR.
He also said OWP will "serve" as "visitor record" to keep track of entry, so no need to apply for visitor record--as long as we can get the AOR and OWP before 6 month stay is up (from the date passport is stamped)
I also asked if 6 months stay for American is 6 months out of 12 months or if 6 months renews every time my spouse crosses border, and he said 6 months every time a person gets visa stamped (which I doubt based on what I read from several sources ??? )
So, now I'm little bit confused...
Based on info I have now, in my case,
INLAND
Pros
1. faster work permit (as soon as AOR) (crossing a border is not a problem for us since we have 3 ways to cross the border in the area)
2. faster work permit means sooner health benefit, bank account, etc.
Cons
1. takes freakin long (~2 yrs?) to complete the whole process
2. cannot appeal
OUTLAND
Pros
1. whole process may be over in 1 yr?
2. can appeal
Cons
1. Cross border constantly can be stressful proving strong ties to US. (currently my spouse don't even have a lease nor job, just a car parked in public storage)
2. delayed health care
3. more expensive for keeping up travels and 2 living costs
Since new pilot OWP is new to us, I wish anyone who's married to American and trying to file now can pitch in their 2 cents.
Does Open work permit in 4 months sound a lot better and worth the 2 yr wait in this case??