Inland Vs Outland

[fumbler1983]

First let me apologize in advance because I know I have seen a thread on this before but I can no longer find it.

I am a US citizen staying in Ontario with my spouse on a visitor visa. We were supposed to send in our application last week but I realized I missed the "income slips" with the Option C printout so now we wait agian...We were all ready to apply inland and now I feel like this obstacle happened for a reason. I have no reason to go back to the states until my application is processed and I am really wanting to work legally as soon as possible. From being on these forums it looks like outland is the way to go. It seems like the majority of people get their whole outland process done before the anticipated processing time of stage one inland.

Does anyone have any experiance on if the inland process really takes that long? I know that the applications have moved to the Mississauga office and that they havent even begun looking at them but does anyone know if that is supposed to change?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Ponga]

First let me apologize in advance because I know I have seen a thread on this before but I can no longer find it.

I am a US citizen staying in Ontario with my spouse on a visitor visa. We were supposed to send in our application last week but I realized I missed the "income slips" with the Option C printout so now we wait agian...We were all ready to apply inland and now I feel like this obstacle happened for a reason. I have no reason to go back to the states until my application is processed and I am really wanting to work legally as soon as possible. From being on these forums it looks like outland is the way to go. It seems like the majority of people get their whole outland process done before the anticipated processing time of stage one inland.

Does anyone have any experiance on if the inland process really takes that long? I know that the applications have moved to the Mississauga office and that they havent even begun looking at them but does anyone know if that is supposed to change?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Unless you have lost your visitor status and are unable to have it restored, there's no reason to apply Inland. Simply extend your current status and request 12 months, based on your Spousal Sponsorship application. No guarantees that it will be approved, but the chances are likely pretty good that it will be, since you're from a visa exempt country.

Processing of Inland applications appears to have come to a screeching halt, thanks to the change in location from Alberta to Ontario. No clue on when they'll get the kinks worked out and start working on things again.

A word of caution; make sure that when you do receive the Option C form, that you also make sure that none of your immigration forms have been updated by CIC. Those buggars are notorious for updating forms and never telling any of us around here. LOL!

Good luck!

 

[fumbler1983]

So is it a pretty good chance that if I apply outland I will be able to work sooner? I just dont want to wait the estimated 15 months to work if it could only be 9. Also is there a better chance for extension approvals if I apply one way over the other? Thank you so much for your input.

 

[Ponga]

The overall wait, to be able to work, is about the same...~9-10 months (based on the current processing times).

Inland-
Allows the applicant to apply for an Open Work Permit (OWP), which allows him/her to work for any employer, ONCE they have reached stage 1 (of 2) approval, known as Approval In Principle (AIP). This AIP is what enables the applicant to become eligible for an OWP. Prior to AIP, the applicant does not qualify for one. Currently, AIP is taking ~ 9-10 months on average.

Outland-
OWP is not available. The thing that confuses many American Outland applicants is that their applications are typically processed entirely in Canada (Mississauga) [CPC-M] for stage 1, approval of sponsor, and in Ottawa [CPP-O]) for stage 2. Only an American with an application that was not straightforward, would have stage 2 processed at a US Visa office. The sponsor is usually approved in about a month (stage 1) followed by another 8-9 months for stage 2. Of course, if the application is in fact sent to a US Visa office for further processing (if they have questions about the applicant and/or his/her relationship with their sponsor), that number jumps up considerably.

I'll let others address the question regarding extension approvals for Outland versus Inland, but from what many have shared here, Outland American applicants have typically had very few problems.



It is because of this that an American that has submitted an Outland application MAY complete the entire process in approximately the same time as an Inland applicant reaches AIP. Once you have your CoPR (Confirmation of Permanent Resident) document, which is mailed to you after you have a positive decision on your application, you `land' and can immediately get your Social Insurance Number (SIN) and start working.

So, you will likely not be working until the beginning of 2015 at best, either way.

 

[qc_mtl_2014]

Question about Spouse Sponsorship

Hi,

I am a Permanent Canadian Resident and will be marrying a US Citizen later this year. I reside in Canada and my fiancé resides in US. However, the wedding will take place outside US and Canada. After our wedding I will come back to Canada and apply for my wife’s sponsorship through “outland application”.

I have following questions related to the impending application that I hope to get answered through this forum.

1) Since I intend to opt for "Outland Application" option, is it advisable that after our wedding my wife goes back to US and stays there till the submission of application and join me in Canada few weeks after that ?

I want to clarify this as I have heard that for an outland application the principal applicant has to be present out of Canada at the time of applying for the sponsorship.

2) What are the supporting documents that I need to submit as proof of marriage with the sponsorship application?

3) If the marriage takes place outside Canada, is the foreign marriage certificate acceptable for sponsorship application as long it is in English language?

Or

Do I have to get a Canadian marriage certificate as well? If “yes” what is the process?


Thanks for your guidance,

 

[rhcohen2014]

Re: Question about Spouse Sponsorship

Hi,

I am a Permanent Canadian Resident and will be marrying a US Citizen later this year. I reside in Canada and my fiancé resides in US. However, the wedding will take place outside US and Canada. After our wedding I will come back to Canada and apply for my wife's sponsorship through “outland application”.

I have following questions related to the impending application that I hope to get answered through this forum.

1) Since I intend to opt for "Outland Application" option, is it advisable that after our wedding my wife goes back to US and stays there till the submission of application and join me in Canada few weeks after that ?

I want to clarify this as I have heard that for an outland application the principal applicant has to be present out of Canada at the time of applying for the sponsorship.

2) What are the supporting documents that I need to submit as proof of marriage with the sponsorship application?

3) If the marriage takes place outside Canada, is the foreign marriage certificate acceptable for sponsorship application as long it is in English language?

Or

Do I have to get a Canadian marriage certificate as well? If “yes” what is the process?


Thanks for your guidance,

an applicant can be visiting canada when an outland application is sent in. she does not have to wait until the application is submitted to visit you. it does make it easier to cross the border. she needs to show her intentions of applying for PR at the border (bringing the forms, documentation, your marriage certificate, receipts for fees/medical paid) make sure since she is applying outland she also brings proof of ties to the us, this is what they are most concerned about. so a lease/mortgage and work papers/paystubs are generally the best proofs to bring. Also, it's important for her to show the marriage certificate. An outland applicant can't be "living" in canada during the application, they must be there as a "visitor", which means they can not work or go to school, so perhaps that's what you are referencing.

i will let others discuss your other questions. if you need to know what you need for "proof of relationship" i suggest you search the forum for answers, there is quite a bit of proof that can be provided. make sure to use the checklists for the application so you know what other documentation is necessary, otherwise your applicaiton will be sent back for being incomplete.

 

[Rob_TO]

Re: Question about Spouse Sponsorship

1) Since I intend to opt for "Outland Application" option, is it advisable that after our wedding my wife goes back to US and stays there till the submission of application and join me in Canada few weeks after that ?

I want to clarify this as I have heard that for an outland application the principal applicant has to be present out of Canada at the time of applying for the sponsorship.

Whether the applicant is in or outside Canada when submitting app, or at anytime before or after that, really doesn't make any difference at all.

2) What are the supporting documents that I need to submit as proof of marriage with the sponsorship application?

As many as you think you need to prove your relationship and marriage is real. Photos of you and family/friends at the wedding and other events, letters or phone records, joint finances etc etc.

3) If the marriage takes place outside Canada, is the foreign marriage certificate acceptable for sponsorship application as long it is in English language?

Or

Do I have to get a Canadian marriage certificate as well? If “yes” what is the process?

The foreign certificate is all that's needed.
There is no such thing as a Canadian marriage certificate, if you weren't married in Canada.

 

[qc_mtl_2014]

Re: Question about Spouse Sponsorship

an applicant can be visiting canada when an outland application is sent in. she does not have to wait until the application is submitted to visit you. it does make it easier to cross the border. she needs to show her intentions of applying for PR at the border (bringing the forms, documentation, your marriage certificate, receipts for fees/medical paid) make sure since she is applying outland she also brings proof of ties to the us, this is what they are most concerned about. so a lease/mortgage and work papers/paystubs are generally the best proofs to bring. Also, it's important for her to show the marriage certificate. An outland applicant can't be "living" in canada during the application, they must be there as a "visitor", which means they can not work or go to school, so perhaps that's what you are referencing.

i will let others discuss your other questions. if you need to know what you need for "proof of relationship" i suggest you search the forum for answers, there is quite a bit of proof that can be provided. make sure to use the checklists for the application so you know what other documentation is necessary, otherwise your applicaiton will be sent back for being incomplete.

@ Rob_TO
Thanks, but some more clarifications though !

1) With regards to your reply ..."she needs to show her intentions of applying for PR at the border" ; other than marriage certificate and pictures; what sorts of documents and receipt of fees you are referring to that we should show while entering Canada? I mean I will apply for her sponsorship after arriving in Canada (after my wedding) so how can I have receipt of fees and her medical exam results at my arrival ?

I guess I'm not clear on that. . . . can you please elaborate a bit !


2) Secondly with regards to your reply ..."she also brings proof of ties to the US, this is what they are most concerned about." ; my fiance is a student now, graduating later this summer. I am not sure if she will have a job by the time we wed so having pay-stubs could be a challenge, also she lives with her family so doesn't have a lease on her name. Can you suggest any other docs that could be used to demonstrate her ties with US ?

 

[rhcohen2014]

Re: Question about Spouse Sponsorship

@ Rob_TO
Thanks, but some more clarifications though !

1) With regards to your reply ..."she needs to show her intentions of applying for PR at the border" ; other than marriage certificate and pictures; what sorts of documents and receipt of fees you are referring to that we should show while entering Canada? I mean I will apply for her sponsorship after arriving in Canada (after my wedding) so how can I have receipt of fees and her medical exam results at my arrival ?

I guess I'm not clear on that. . . . can you please elaborate a bit !


2) Secondly with regards to your reply ..."she also brings proof of ties to the US, this is what they are most concerned about." ; my fiance is a student now, graduating later this summer. I am not sure if she will have a job by the time we wed so having pay-stubs could be a challenge, also she lives with her family so doesn't have a lease on her name. Can you suggest any other docs that could be used to demonstrate her ties with US ?

I think you were quoting me, not Rob.

1. when she goes to do the medical exam, she will receive an "emedical" receipt from the doctor. this is basically the printout to confirm the doctor entered her results into the system. It will have her picture, personal information, and barcode for CIC. This is the form that gets added to your application. The medical can be done at anytime, and is valid for a year. If that year expires while the application is in process, CIC can extend the results to get you through the end of the process. You can certainly pay for any or all fees anytime you want. We paid for the sponsorship fee months prior to our application being submitted, and i always carried the receipt with me. We paid for the applicant fee right before mailing the application. even though you plan to apply after you get married, it can take months to gather all the necessary documents, so preparation is key. This is what they are going to look for - that you have intent on following the rules, and not make up your own.

2. the best forms of ties is a lease or paystubs. Unfortunately, they don't care about much else (at least from my experience). My suggestion would be to have her draw up a standard lease (easily found online) with her family, if they are willing to help out on that end.

 

[qc_mtl_2014]

Re: Question about Spouse Sponsorship

I think you were quoting me, not Rob.

1. when she goes to do the medical exam, she will receive an "emedical" receipt from the doctor. this is basically the printout to confirm the doctor entered her results into the system. It will have her picture, personal information, and barcode for CIC. This is the form that gets added to your application. The medical can be done at anytime, and is valid for a year. If that year expires while the application is in process, CIC can extend the results to get you through the end of the process. You can certainly pay for any or all fees anytime you want. We paid for the sponsorship fee months prior to our application being submitted, and i always carried the receipt with me. We paid for the applicant fee right before mailing the application. even though you plan to apply after you get married, it can take months to gather all the necessary documents, so preparation is key. This is what they are going to look for - that you have intent on following the rules, and not make up your own.

2. the best forms of ties is a lease or paystubs. Unfortunately, they don't care about much else (at least from my experience). My suggestion would be to have her draw up a standard lease (easily found online) with her family, if they are willing to help out on that end.

@ rhcohen2014
Sorry, you are right I misquoted someone else for you.

Well, as for the appropriate timing of applying please pardon my ignorance. I never thought that one could initiate the sponsorship process before even getting married. Any how, now that I have learnt that, I prefer to follow your footsteps to save time.

If you wouldn't mind can you summarize the steps you took for your spousal sponsorship ? and the supporting docs you provided ?

You can inbox me the details. I can send you my email, let me know !

Thanks,

 

[rhcohen2014]

Re: Question about Spouse Sponsorship

@ rhcohen2014
Sorry, you are right I misquoted someone else for you.

Well, as for the appropriate timing of applying please pardon my ignorance. I never thought that one could initiate the sponsorship process before even getting married. Any how, now that I have learnt that, I prefer to follow your footsteps to save time.

If you wouldn't mind can you summarize the steps you took for your spousal sponsorship ? and the supporting docs you provided ?

You can inbox me the details. I can send you my email, let me know !

Thanks,

you can't send a spousal application in until you are married and have your marriage certificate. you can certainly start the legwork so that all you need to do is get that marriage certificate.

Let's see...

got married in september 2013, went back to Canada with husband after honeymoon, returned to the states i think in october
in november i got my medical done and paid for the sponsorship fee, so that i can prove our intent to apply while i visited for our reception and the holidays. ( worked remotely for a US employer during this time)
received my FBI record upon my return to the states in Jan
was planning to send the application in februrary when i went back again, but we had a slight delay with the option c form. we did not realize this was something that couldn't be supplied at the time of filing taxes, so we had to wait for his taxes to be finalized with CRA, then wait for the Option C form to be mailed. That took about 6 weeks!
paid for applicant fee and sent application mid march
received notification early/mid april our application was incomplete, and sent in the missing form the next day.
still waiting for them to acknowledge receipt of that form (it was delivered 2 weeks ago) and for sponsorship approval

what was in my application:
used additional pages to answer application questions:
detailed information about wedding ceremony and reception (separate dates). Included the names of every guest, pictures of each event, names of vendors used, and copies of bills for each.
wrote a timeline for every time he visited me and i visited him. wrote the date, where we were, what we did. most dates had a picture accompanying the information, and i included bills/confirmations for any hotels, car rentals, and flights i could find record of (thank goodness for the old mail feature!)
since i had that information in my actual application, i really didn't supply a lot of "proof of relationship", i sent a picture of our ketubah (jewish wedding contract), screen shots of my facebook profile highlighting each year of our relationship - focusing on posts that were about us/our relationship, copies of invitations/save the date for wedding ceremony and reception, a copy of his days off request from work, and copies of cards we sent eachother (mostly him to me). I also created PP slides with additional pictures of our wedding ceremony and reception.

My application totalled 95 pages. i was not able to submit proof of our skype calls, because i couldn't figure out how to retrieve a skype log for greater than 6 mo. I did not think 6 mo. would really prove anything. I did not supply phone records, because we texted more than called, and my phone company does not supply text records unless they are court ordered too. I also, could not figure out how to get text messages into a document to submit, and figured even if I was able to extract them, it would look like I just typed a bunch of dates/messages and not look "authentic". I didn't even think to get letters from family members/friends, so none were provided.

I have no idea if CIC will consider this to be enough and will want to see more. Reading some of these posts made me nervous initially. I've sinced learn to just admit it's out of my hands at this point. I also tell myself when the anxiety starts to run high I did the best I could with the information I had at the time.

my computer is about to restart, so i will come back in a bit and check my response to see if more needs to be added!

 

[rhcohen2014]

ok, my computer updated itself, so i can finish my post.

A few key things I "wish" I knew prior to sending in our application:

1. CIC considers FBI records valid for only 3 months! Make sure to time recieving the record with sending in your application. I think my record is considered valid, though it is cut VERY close. I actually just applied for a new record, just in case they ask for an updated one.

2. the panel doctor exam can be done in canada, and doesn't have to be done in the country the applicant is from. I have learned the exam is MUCH cheaper in Canada. It's also good to "shop around" and ask for prices, because it can vary dr. to dr. CT only had 1 option and I spent $400 as opposed to the reported $250ish in CAnada. Had I known this ahead of time, i would have waited until I was in canada to get it done. I'm sure I would have been able to find use for that extra cash for our reception.

3. US applicant Visa Office is OTTAWA. I accidentally forgot to fill this question in, and am glad, because i would have said NYC. In the end, I'm told it really doesn't matter what you write because CIC makes the decision where to send it anyway.

4. it is common for your general IQ to drop significantly when putting together the application. Last month, I was reading through my answers, and noticed sooooo many typos, I seriously do not know how I missed them. I mean I think there are even incomplete sentances!!! My husband wasn't much help in proof reading... he's the typical guy (sorry to all guys here) - flipped through the pages and said, yep, looks good!

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me or ask on here. Remember every situation is unique, and somethings may work for you/may not. Don't get overwhelmed by reading about everyone else's applications. I am sort of glad i did not see any of this until after I sent it in, because the amount of stress I was already under would have tripled and probably killed me! At this point, all i can do is hope they have everything they need to make a determination.