Inland v Outland Opinion Please

[TorontoEH]

Hi,

Please could i have a few opinions. The Inland sponsorship processing times have dropped significantly over the last month. I can't decide what is the best option. In the event that i apply outland, i will have to apply via the Pretoria, South Africa VO which is currently at 21 months. They havn't updated the latest quarter yet so maybe the processing time drops for Pretoria as well.

I understand that there is no appeal process for inland but the processing times are looking very favourable.

Thanks,

 

[Ponga]

If your spouse or partner can enter Canada as a visitor and can maintain that status, an Inland application is definitely worth considering.

Even if s/he cannot maintain legal status, s/he can still apply once you are both in Canada, but the risk of removal, prior to completion of the process, is a possibility.

 

[TorontoEH]

I will be sponsored. My common law spouse (she is a Canadian Citizen) has been offered work in Canada. I will be able to maintain legal status via a TRV and extension, obviously if the extension is granted. We are considering a move to Canada in March, so we are sitting with the decision of, apply Outland this week or apply inland a month from now.

So tough to decide, the right of appeal seems have an advantage due to me having two children. This may not be a concern if the sponsorship approval is purely based on our relationship. My children will not be relocating to Canada but they will be included in the sponsorship as dependents.

We have established common law as we have been living together since September 2012, I believe that we have everything required based on hours of reading on this forum and the CIC website. We have joint bank accounts, named pensions and life policies, loads of photos, lease etc etc.

Appreciate your comments on this....

 

[Alurra71]

I would go ahead and apply Outland now, if I were you. You are not visa exempt and coming to Canada and essentially 'locking' yourself into an Inland application might be rougher than you might think. Not only can you not work, you can not travel back home, if necessary to be with your children or any other reason without risking your application. You must remain in Canada during the entirety of your Inland application process. If you go ahead and submit an outland, you will likely have your sponsor approval before you folks even head back to Canada. You can still come with your spouse via the TRV and remain even with an outland application. The choice really is yours, however, if it were me, I would opt for outland.

 

[TorontoEH]

Thanks, you are right. The fact that I am not visa exempt is another downside. Hopefully Pretoria times will look better in the next update. The current stats show that 20% are completed in 4 months, 30% in 5 months, 50% in 8 months, 70% in 12 months and 80% in 18 months.

 

[Rob_TO]

South Africa VO which is currently at 21 months.

That is not an average, it is the longest time that was seen for 80% of apps. So basically it means 80% of apps were done in 21 months or less. Stress on the "or less".

By looking at detailed stats, the 50% time for Pretoria is 8-9 months, meaning half the apps there are done in this time or less.

Pretoria only processes a couple hundred spousal apps per year, so it just takes a few bad ones with lots of red flags, to push the posted times up. The strong applications with no red flags, should be processed much quicker.

 

[TorontoEH]

Thanks, that is how I understood the info. I also looked at the volume versus other VO's and yes it is low. I'm sure you understand that everyone just wants to find the best option and to have everything running as smoothly as possible.

 

[Rob_TO]

I would also add that I agree completely with Alurra, that an outland app is better in your case, if based on nothing else except that with an inland app you are basically a prisoner in Canada. Who knows what situations will arise over the next 1-2 years where you would want to return to S.Africa, and with an inland app in process you would be putting the whole thing in jeopardy by leaving.

With the outland app you can come and go from Canada as you please (with valid visitor status), with no worries at all about your app. One of the negatives about applying outland while residing in Canada, is that in case an interview is required you would be forced to return to S.Africa on the designated interview date.

 

[TorontoEH]

Appreciate all the comments. To be honest having to visit SA for an interview wouldn't be a negative as I would be able to see my family. Will go with the outland application for sure. All of your comments have helped, thanks again.

 

[TorontoEH]

Submitted the outland application today. Now the wait begins.

 

[Ponga]

Wow! You threw that application together pretty quick.

Congratulations!

 

[Rob_TO]

Submitted the outland application today. Now the wait begins.

Wow that was quick. You got yours and your non-accompanying children's medicals done, and all your necessary police checks as well, and included it all in the package to CPC-Mississauga?

 

[TorontoEH]

No we have been working on it for a few months now. I have worked in a number of other countries so the big delay was all of the police clearances. I am a Cayman Islands resident so initially set the VO as Kingston but decided against that and went with Pretoria. The stats look better in the Pretoria office versus Kingston. Most recently we were considering inland but as you can see we had some good advise to stick with outland.

Thanks for the support.

 

[Ponga]

No we have been working on it for a few months now. I have worked in a number of other countries so the big delay was all of the police clearances. I am a Cayman Islands resident so initially set the VO as Kingston but decided against that and went with Pretoria. The stats look better in the Pretoria office versus Kingston. Most recently we were considering inland but as you can see we had some good advise to stick with outland.

Thanks for the support.

Oh how I miss 7 mile beach...and Hell...and especially Casa Nova Restaurant!

 

[Rob_TO]

I am a Cayman Islands resident so initially set the VO as Kingston but decided against that and went with Pretoria. The stats look better in the Pretoria office versus Kingston.

Note that the final decision on what office to use for visa processing, is up to CPC-Mississauga no matter what you indicated as preferred office in your application. Hopefully it goes where you want it to, but they could possibly send it to Kingston based on your residency there, vs Pretoria.