May 2022 Spousal Sponsorship Outland and Inland - Paper/Online

[poporopos]

From my understanding, US citizens are allowed to stay in Canada visa-free for 6 months. After that though, they start getting a bit iffy about letting you back in. He has been in Canada now since April 3rd, so about 7 months now. He has a stamp in his passport showing that he arrived on the 3rd of April. Of course, stuff online isn't always 100% clear, but I feel like it's too much to risk to just hope that he will be allowed back in.

If anyone knows of someone I can contact to confirm, 100%, that it will be ok to fly back, please let me know. Or maybe somewhere I can start looking. Thanks in advance!

Just to make sure we are using the correct terminology --

Visitor visa or ETA: The document someone needs to ENTER Canada. The person must enter Canada before this expires. US citizens do not require visitor visas nor ETAs.

Visitor status: the status given after being cleared by a CBSA officer an allowed into the country for the purposes of visiting, not working. Usually this is six months but can be changed with a stamp or visitor record by the officer at the border.

OWP: Is work permit. Once someone has a work permit, the visitor status is void. However, visitor visas are stil required to enter Canada if coming from a visitor visa required country.

A visitor visa is not visitor status.

The only people with guaranteed entry to Canada are PR and citizens. Otherwise, there will be an assessment by the CBSA officer at the point of entry. In terms of risk of denial of entry, the risk is lower with a work or study permit and much higher when only on visitor status.

So based on your specific situation, it sounds like he was initially here on six-month visitor status. But before his visitor status was up, his status changed to a work permit holder. Therefore, his visitor status is null and his work permit is his new legal status. He has authorization to stay in Canada until the work permit expires. If the work permit is expiring and he still is not PR, he either has to apply to extend the permit (putting him on maintained status) or change his status back to visitor at which point he will either be issued a new date of expiry of visitor status.

 

[RemiPuppy]

Just to make sure we are using the correct terminology --

Visitor visa or ETA: The document someone needs to ENTER Canada. The person must enter Canada before this expires. US citizens do not require visitor visas nor ETAs.

Visitor status: the status given after being cleared by a CBSA officer an allowed into the country for the purposes of visiting, not working. Usually this is six months but can be changed with a stamp or visitor record by the officer at the border.

OWP: Is work permit. Once someone has a work permit, the visitor status is void. However, visitor visas are stil required to enter Canada if coming from a visitor visa required country.

A visitor visa is not visitor status.

The only people with guaranteed entry to Canada are PR and citizens. Otherwise, there will be an assessment by the CBSA officer at the point of entry. In terms of risk of denial of entry, the risk is lower with a work or study permit and much higher when only on visitor status.

So based on your specific situation, it sounds like he was initially here on six-month visitor status. But before his visitor status was up, his status changed to a work permit holder. Therefore, his visitor status is null and his work permit is his new legal status. He has authorization to stay in Canada until the work permit expires. If the work permit is expiring and he still is not PR, he either has to apply to extend the permit (putting him on maintained status) or change his status back to visitor at which point he will either be issued a new date of expiry of visitor status.

Yes, that is all correct. However, we want to leave Canada for about a week and return again, and we're concerned that the visitor status/"visa" granted by the passport stamp will not be sufficient enough to allow him to come back into Canada, because it is older than 6 months. The work permit expires in 2024, and was granted in June this year.

Like I said, online information is very limited and vague. His work permit specifies that it's not a travel document (which it isn't). But I don't know if they will allow him back into the country because his "visitor visa" (the stamp in his US passport) is older than 6 months.

I've emailed the border services to see if I can get an answer, and right now, the husband is on the phone asking the same question.

 

[poporopos]

Yes, that is all correct. However, we want to leave Canada for about a week and return again, and we're concerned that the visitor status/"visa" granted by the passport stamp will not be sufficient enough to allow him to come back into Canada, because it is older than 6 months. The work permit expires in 2024, and was granted in June this year.

Like I said, online information is very limited and vague. His work permit specifies that it's not a travel document (which it isn't). But I don't know if they will allow him back into the country because his "visitor visa" (the stamp in his US passport) is older than 6 months.

I've emailed the border services to see if I can get an answer, and right now, the husband is on the phone asking the same question.

He isn’t a visitor anymore because he has a work permit.

also, once he leaves Canada, any visitor status would reset. For people who require visitor visas, their visitor status resets upon entry but the visitor visa cannot be expired. For people who do not require visitor visas, you just show up at the border and the visitor status resets.

The stamp in his passport is irrelevant once he leaves. They will give him a new one when he re-enters. As he has a work permit, his period of authorized stay is until the work permit expiry.
He will be let in most likely as long as he is not deemed inadmissible (like having committed a crime or violated immigration rules one his work permit)

 

[RemiPuppy]

He isn’t a visitor anymore because he has a work permit.

also, once he leaves Canada, any visitor status would reset. For people who require visitor visas, their visitor status resets upon entry but the visitor visa cannot be expired. For people who do not require visitor visas, you just show up at the border and the visitor status resets.

The stamp in his passport is irrelevant once he leaves. They will give him a new one when he re-enters. As he has a work permit, his period of authorized stay is until the work permit expiry.
He will be let in most likely as long as he is not deemed inadmissible (like having committed a crime or violated immigration rules one his work permit)

I have learned so much over the past few days, one of which being that official sources provide zero clarity for these kinds of questions XD

You are absolutely correct, and we are going to the States once again for our holiday. Thank you so much for your time and explanations, we hugely appreciate it <3

 

[Ramptp]

HI Any one obtained PCC from Hyderabad -India. I am planning to apply for my wife in Hyderabad -India, is the Passport seva Kendra only way to get PCC ? or can we apply online from Hyderabad police website?
Thanks in Advance

You have to apply from passport seva Kendra only. Make sure you take original marriage certificate for verification

 

[DivyaJ]

Hi Guys
To check the status Igenerally logged in here, https://prt-srp.apps.cic.gc.ca/en/login
I have submmited in online application for my spouse in 22nd May 2022
After that in July 2022 received AOR
Aug 9 We received the sponsor info you sent us
Aug 10 Eligibility Activity status updated
After that in mid Aug received medical request but I am not able to see whether the medical is updated or not OR background check started or not?

Can someone guide me if I am using a wrong link or what? Is there any other way to check the application status?

 

[Brizraj]

Hi Guys
To check the status Igenerally logged in here, https://prt-srp.apps.cic.gc.ca/en/login
I have submmited in online application for my spouse in 22nd May 2022
After that in July 2022 received AOR
Aug 9 We received the sponsor info you sent us
Aug 10 Eligibility Activity status updated
After that in mid Aug received medical request but I am not able to see whether the medical is updated or not OR background check started or not?

Can someone guide me if I am using a wrong link or what? Is there any other way to check the application status?

This is the right link for pr tracker. If you are not able to see updates in there or gc key account than wait is the only option or call IRCC.

 

[randhawa7511]

Hi Guys
To check the status Igenerally logged in here, https://prt-srp.apps.cic.gc.ca/en/login
I have submmited in online application for my spouse in 22nd May 2022
After that in July 2022 received AOR
Aug 9 We received the sponsor info you sent us
Aug 10 Eligibility Activity status updated
After that in mid Aug received medical request but I am not able to see whether the medical is updated or not OR background check started or not?

Can someone guide me if I am using a wrong link or what? Is there any other way to check the application status?

You should see medical completed on that PR tracker if medical was done in August, thats a long time.. I would call IRCC

 

[Jovirush]

Hi, I want to ask a general question. As a principal applicant, I got a letter from IRCC asking me to submit an in-depth CV/resume outlining my entire life's trajectory, starting at the age of 18. It took me the entire month to put my resume together in the appropriate order because there were gaps and other sporadic roles that I had previously held but wasn't sure about dates of employment, job descriptions, etc.

IRCC stressed that the ADR needs to arrive at the office by Nov 5, 2022, although the document was sent through the IRCC portal on Nov 3, which worries me. I wonder if they have received my document because there has been no update on the PR portal since Oct 17. For instance, what are the chances that my document will reach their office in less than two days? If not, they have the right to refuse my visa, as stated in the letter I received from them on Oct 6, 2022

I would appreciate it if anyone would care to provide some ideas on this based on their experience so that I may better understand the situation I am in. Thanks.

 

[esho]

I just called IRCC to check the status as the PR tracker has not been updated since nov 3rd. I was given some additional updated that are not reflected on the tracker yet: criminality completed, medical passed, eligibility in progress but not sure if that means the background check has been completed yet…does anyone know what other steps are left before a decision is made? Thanks all

 

[Jovirush]

I just called IRCC to check the status as the PR tracker has not been updated since nov 3rd. I was given some additional updated that are not reflected on the tracker yet: criminality completed, medical passed, eligibility in progress but not sure if that means the background check has been completed yet…does anyone know what other steps are left before a decision is made? Thanks all

It's fortunate that you were connected when you called IRCC. Since my portal's last update on October 17th, I have been making a lot of attempts to contact an IRCC representative, but it hasn't been successful for me. It looks like you're so close to receiving COPR based on your most recent update. I think your background check should be completed as soon as your eligibility has been determined.

after completion of the eligibility and background check. If you haven't received it yet, you will most likely receive a pre-arrival letter. After then, you will have COPR and PPR, and your case will be closed.

Good Luck!

 

[esho]

It's fortunate that you were connected when you called IRCC. Since my portal's last update on October 17th, I have been making a lot of attempts to contact an IRCC representative, but it hasn't been successful for me. It looks like you're so close to receiving COPR based on your most recent update. I think your background check should be completed as soon as your eligibility has been determined.

after completion of the eligibility and background check. If you haven't received it yet, you will most likely receive a pre-arrival letter. After then, you will have COPR and PPR, and your case will be closed.

Good Luck!

That’s very encouraging, thanks for taking the time to reply

 

[M99]

I just called IRCC to check the status as the PR tracker has not been updated since nov 3rd. I was given some additional updated that are not reflected on the tracker yet: criminality completed, medical passed, eligibility in progress but not sure if that means the background check has been completed yet…does anyone know what other steps are left before a decision is made? Thanks all

I called ircc today and they said eligibility is being checked, medical passed and only thing after eligibility left is criminality and security check
I applied on may 20,2022 Can you please share your timeline

 

[randhawa7511]

Finally got PPR!!! Good Luck everyone hope you get the golden email soon! Timeline is in signatures

 

[BCTechy]

I just called IRCC to check the status as the PR tracker has not been updated since nov 3rd. I was given some additional updated that are not reflected on the tracker yet: criminality completed, medical passed, eligibility in progress but not sure if that means the background check has been completed yet…does anyone know what other steps are left before a decision is made? Thanks all

The applications have two parallel processes that happen. One is the eligibility is done meaning the analyst checks your file for completeness under the Family Class requirements, then an officer in the visa office checks to make sure the contents of the documents show that the primary applicant is eligible for family class representation. If the officer determines yes, then the eligibility status is changes to yes, and the computer system automatically sends out the pre-arrival letter to the GCKey portal.

While the eligibility is happening the first part of security (background check) is done which includes the RCMP Criminality Check and information sharing is done on the PA and adult dependents (accompanying and un-accompanying), and once the medical is passed, the part 2 of security (background check) which is CSIS and CBSA checks are started.

Once eligibility, part 1 of the security check is complete, and the part 2 of the security check is complete then the results are reviewed by the officer for final approval. Once the approval is done, the file is flagged for PPR (Passport Request - Outland) or virtual landing if inland.