Messed up on visitor extension IMM5708

[Mizzy0415]

Hi there I'm posting because I wasn't able to find something similar in the first couple pages of posts.

I am an american here on a 6 month visitor visa. There isn't a specific time stamped on my passport which from what I have read means I can stay for 6 months legally. I have 3 months left before I am supposed to leave so I decided that with the current processing times I would go ahead and submit my application so as to not be in the country out of status.

My question is this: I think that on the 3 options it gives you at the top of the application, that I neglected to choose the correct option. I selected the 'Restoration of temporary resident status as a visitor' as opposed to 'extension of my temporary resident status'. I think at the time I associated temporary resident status as an actual temporary resident visa and not just a visitor visa.

Is this grounds for them to deny my application for an extension? Has anyone had any experience in this? I know for a fact (because im sitting here staring at my application) that I filled everything else in correctly and gave as much detailed information as I could so I'm assuming that the only real grounds they would have to deny my application would be because of that paperwork error.

Also, if they deny my application, does that mean I have to immediately leave Canada? Or am I able to reapply with the correct box checked?

To give a little background, I am married to a canadian. We have been married for 3 years and are just waiting on the option c print out of my husbands taxes to apply for sponsorship, which is why I wanted the extension.

Also, has anyone had any experience in applying for more than 6 months on this extension?

Thank you all so much!

 

[Mizzy0415]

actually now that I look at it it seems as if I didn't put in the correct dates that I wanted to stay for either.... ugh...

 

[Mizzy0415]

is anyone able to help???

 

[CanV]

You have to write a letter and explain your errors. Make sure you provide detailed information such as your passport number and UCI (if you have one) in order to make it easier for them to track your application.

 

[kriv]

Hi there I'm posting because I wasn't able to find something similar in the first couple pages of posts.

I am an american here on a 6 month visitor visa. There isn't a specific time stamped on my passport which from what I have read means I can stay for 6 months legally. I have 3 months left before I am supposed to leave so I decided that with the current processing times I would go ahead and submit my application so as to not be in the country out of status.

My question is this: I think that on the 3 options it gives you at the top of the application, that I neglected to choose the correct option. I selected the 'Restoration of temporary resident status as a visitor' as opposed to 'extension of my temporary resident status'. I think at the time I associated temporary resident status as an actual temporary resident visa and not just a visitor visa.

Is this grounds for them to deny my application for an extension? Has anyone had any experience in this? I know for a fact (because im sitting here staring at my application) that I filled everything else in correctly and gave as much detailed information as I could so I'm assuming that the only real grounds they would have to deny my application would be because of that paperwork error.

Also, if they deny my application, does that mean I have to immediately leave Canada? Or am I able to reapply with the correct box checked?

To give a little background, I am married to a canadian. We have been married for 3 years and are just waiting on the option c print out of my husbands taxes to apply for sponsorship, which is why I wanted the extension.

Also, has anyone had any experience in applying for more than 6 months on this extension?

Thank you all so much!

First as you submitted the wrong application that is why your application will be cancelled or rejected/refused BUT still if the correct option (extension of temporary resident status) was selected still the rejection chances were very high. THE REASON is you still have 3 months to live in canada thats a lot of time still available. if you had applied for extension near to your expiry date (30 days before expiry is advised/recommended and it also look reasonable to request an extension.) it could have a very positive impact and very low chances of rejection. (extensions acceptance rate for any genuine reasons are very high)

SO the main problem was wrong application. 2nd is you apply to early
Anyhow you can still live in canada till your visitor status is valid in canada (i.e 6 months from your entry date).

You can make a new correct application again with proof of funds and your reason. in your case as your spouse is Canadian citizen and you are looking forward to apply for sponsorship; such cases are rarely refused.
no worries enjoy staying in Canada and submit the correct application again

hope it helps

 

[canuck_in_uk]

I am an american here on a 6 month visitor visa. There isn't a specific time stamped on my passport which from what I have read means I can stay for 6 months legally. I have 3 months left before I am supposed to leave so I decided that with the current processing times I would go ahead and submit my application so as to not be in the country out of status.

Withdraw the app. You really shouldn't have applied so far ahead of time. Apply again a few weeks before your status expires. If your status expires before CIC decides, you will have Implied Status allowing you to legally stay in Canada.

 

[Mizzy0415]

Withdraw the app. You really shouldn't have applied so far ahead of time. Apply again a few weeks before your status expires. If your status expires before CIC decides, you will have Implied Status allowing you to legally stay in Canada.

I applied so early because of the application processing times. It seems as if it'll be about another month or more before they actually get to my application. In which case it will be about 30 days before my time i'm supposed to leave. Will I have to repay the fees if I cancel the application and reapply? How would I go about sending in an additional letter of explanation since I applied online?

 

[Mizzy0415]

You have to write a letter and explain your errors. Make sure you provide detailed information such as your passport number and UCI (if you have one) in order to make it easier for them to track your application.

I guess that last question was to you CanV sorry about that. Where exactly would I send this information to? I do not have a UCI number yet as far as I'm aware but I did get an application number when I applied. I remember seeing something on there saying once its submitted I'm not able to send in any additional paperwork..... unless I misread D:

 

[Mizzy0415]

First as you submitted the wrong application that is why your application will be cancelled or rejected/refused BUT still if the correct option (extension of temporary resident status) was selected still the rejection chances were very high. THE REASON is you still have 3 months to live in canada thats a lot of time still available. if you had applied for extension near to your expiry date (30 days before expiry is advised/recommended and it also look reasonable to request an extension.) it could have a very positive impact and very low chances of rejection. (extensions acceptance rate for any genuine reasons are very high)

SO the main problem was wrong application. 2nd is you apply to early
Anyhow you can still live in canada till your visitor status is valid in canada (i.e 6 months from your entry date).

You can make a new correct application again with proof of funds and your reason. in your case as your spouse is Canadian citizen and you are looking forward to apply for sponsorship; such cases are rarely refused.
no worries enjoy staying in Canada and submit the correct application again

hope it helps

Ty for your advise I think everyone kinda confirmed what I was fearing. I think i'll wait to see what canuck has to say before I decide to withdrawl my application. I want to make sure I dont have to repay the fees again or make it worse on myself for pulling out the application then resubmitting it. I guess I kinda jumped the gun.... just worried about being out of status in Canada. I am afraid of being here illegally. I want things to go as smoothly as possible so I didn't really see too much harm in applying early. :/

 

[canuck_in_uk]

I applied so early because of the application processing times. It seems as if it'll be about another month or more before they actually get to my application. In which case it will be about 30 days before my time i'm supposed to leave. Will I have to repay the fees if I cancel the application and reapply? How would I go about sending in an additional letter of explanation since I applied online?

As I said, as long as you apply to extend your stay while you still have status, you will have Implied Status after your current status expires allowing you to legally stay in Canada until CIC makes a decision on the extension. Application processing times have nothing to do with it. CIC recommends applying 30 days before status expires, though you can actually apply up until your status expires without issue.

You would receive a refund if they haven't yet started processing the app. If you've only just submitted the app, then they most likely wouldn't have started processing yet. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=741&t=23

 

[Mizzy0415]

I figured I would take the time to update my status with this application for anyone who might be in the same position as I and are looking for possible outcomes in a similar situation.

All of the users here suggested that I cancel my application because it would, without a doubt, be denied.

Yes, I applied very early so as to MAKE SURE that I would have more than enough time to get my application approved BEFORE I was out of status and so as to attempt to make all of my applications sort of be approved along a timeline I thought more reasonable. In my personal opinion I believe that this showed the government my intentions in letting them know that I am willing to do all of the correct paperwork and am willing to stay in the country legally with more than just an implied status.

Yes, there were a few mistakes on my application. I not only clicked on the incorrect application option, but I did not even provide the amount of time I wanted to extend my stay for. I think for someone who isn't from the states would most likely have a higher chance of being rejected. This is just speculation though merely from the conversations i've had with the guards at the border and conversations i've had with reps at the call center and people I have met who have immigrated here.

Fortunately I went with my gut instinct and DID NOT pull my application and let it go through. It was not only approved but was approved in maybe 1/4 of the time the government website said it would take. Although I did not get the amount of time I initially wanted on the application, they approved my (visitor extension) for the 6 months I needed, in which time my open work permit was approved and I am now happily working and living with my S.O. while waiting to hear back on our sponsorship application.

I have to say that since this entire process has started, I widely used this website and asked questions to the users in the hopes that they might be able to direct me in the right direction when it came to my applications (visitor extension, family sponsorship - spouse, open work permit). I'd say that all in all when it comes to the general terminology and vague questions that the application has, the website and its users has proved very insightful. As for something like this, I went with what the government website has available and the actual call center to make my final decision. I had all of the supporting documents needed and wasn't doing anything sheisty and I believe that because of those 2 things (and the fact that I am American AND my husband and I have been married for almost 4 years) that I was approved quickly and easily without any problems or hang ups despite the many things people have claimed would definitely keep me from ever staying in Canada easily.

Personally, I don't know if I would ever really recommend anyone take the chance that I did on getting denied and having to leave the country, but ultimately I am 100% happy I chose not to be goaded, guild tripped, and patronized into making a decision that would have hurt me in the long run. Some of the long time users I have seen have taken their circumstances and experiences (despite that your location and backgrounds can have DRASTIC impacts on the final outcome of an application and its processing times) and have decided to use them as an ultimate and final truth for many people seeking guidance on here. I hope people are willing to take users wisdom and personal experiences as well as the facts made available on the government website and make the most logical decision for themselves and their families when taking the steps to immigrate into Canada.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

All of the users here suggested that I cancel my application because it would, without a doubt, be denied.

Please point out where I stated that your application would, without a doubt, be denied. By suggesting withdrawal, I was advising you of the POSSIBILITY of being refused, based on previous experiences of others who had been refused when applying so early.

Yes, I applied very early so as to MAKE SURE that I would have more than enough time to get my application approved BEFORE I was out of status and so as to attempt to make all of my applications sort of be approved along a timeline I thought more reasonable. In my personal opinion I believe that this showed the government my intentions in letting them know that I am willing to do all of the correct paperwork and am willing to stay in the country legally with more than just an implied status.

Good for you. However, understand that your experience isn't universal. Many who have applied that early have been refused and told to apply later. CIC recommends 30 days for a reason. Also, Implied Status is 100% bonafide legal status. There is no "better" legal status for CIC; all that matter is whether a person is legal or not.

Although I did not get the amount of time I initially wanted on the application, they approved my (visitor extension) for the 6 months I needed, in which time my open work permit was approved and I am now happily working and living with my S.O. while waiting to hear back on our sponsorship application.

American and you applied inland? That's too bad, as outland is averaging 8-10 months compared to inland's 26 months.

As for something like this, I went with what the government website has available and the actual call center to make my final decision. I had all of the supporting documents needed and wasn't doing anything sheisty and I believe that because of those 2 things (and the fact that I am American AND my husband and I have been married for almost 4 years) that I was approved quickly and easily without any problems or hang ups despite the many things people have claimed would definitely keep me from ever staying in Canada easily.

Well, the website advises applying 30 days ahead, so you didn't really go with what they said. And no one here said you were doing anything "sheisty".

Personally, I don't know if I would ever really recommend anyone take the chance that I did on getting denied and having to leave the country, but ultimately I am 100% happy I chose not to be goaded, guild tripped, and patronized into making a decision that would have hurt me in the long run. Some of the long time users I have seen have taken their circumstances and experiences (despite that your location and backgrounds can have DRASTIC impacts on the final outcome of an application and its processing times) and have decided to use them as an ultimate and final truth for many people seeking guidance on here. I hope people are willing to take users wisdom and personal experiences as well as the facts made available on the government website and make the most logical decision for themselves and their families when taking the steps to immigrate into Canada.

Goaded, *guilt* tripped and patronized? Chill.