Need some answers and reassurance... (;_; )

[yumeryuu]

Hello everyone, I'm a long time watcher and reader of posts but a first time poster.

In September, 2012, I sent the application and sponsorship application for my husband (who is Japanese) and me to Mississauga to being the process. I was accepted as a sponsor on November 24th and from there my husband's application was sent to Manila. Pretty straight forward?

Well, it gets a bit sticky now...

I am a Canadian, and my contract for work ends in Japan in March. My apartment contract ends in April. I was actually figuring that the time for the visa and everything would work out but now I am not sure if I will be anywhere close to getting the visa (or even hearing from them) for that matter by April.

My husband and I had a plan that at the end of April we would simply move to Canada and wait. Is this possible? I have a friend who is Japanese and her spouse is Canadian and she did the same thing. But went to Canada first and applied and everything went through in Canada unlike me who is waiting for Manila to get moving. Can I bring my husband to Canada and he remain as a visitor for a few months while we wait for the visa? We already have a home waiting for us.

I am so worried. I actually don't know what to do. I am 30 and I feel like I am doing this all alone. My husband let me take care of the processing but Manila hasn't contacted us and he keeps asking me questions that I have no answer for. I just don't know...

 

[amikety]

If your husband is Japanese, he's visa exempt. He will most likely be allowed into Canada to wait out the PR application. Make sure to have proof of the application with your (AOR, Sponsor Approval emails work or copy of the payment receipt). He'll need his passport, of course. The IO may ask how you plan to support yourself - so let him know about your job plans. If you won't have a job, have a plan. Maybe family to stay with until you get a job. Also, your husband won't be allowed to work, so don't include that in your temporary plan!

Depending on how things go, he may be issued an extended stay in the form of a Visitor Record or might just get a passport stamp.

It's pretty easy - you as the Canadian just ask permission to bring your spouse to wait out the process.

 

[Sweden]

Hey,

your husband is from a visa-exempt country, so yes - he can go with you to Canada in april if you want.
At the border, he can say that he is coming to "Visit you" and that he has applied for PR, and carry the proofs ( letter of approval). He is coming to wait out the PR process... don't say that he is "moving" with you, as he is not moving to Canada until he has a PR. but he can come on a visitor visa, and stay. You can change the address on ecas (once ecas starts working again if yours is not working for the last few days), and change it to a mailing address in Canada. Manilla will send the COPR (confirmation of PR) directly to the mailing address in Canada. With that and his passport, your husband will have to "flagpole" - exit at the nearest border (US most likely), and re-enter to land as a PR.

The only tricky part might be moving your stuff. As a returning Canadian, you are allowed a certain amount of things into the country. Check CBSA website for the list and amount. Your husband can have his suitcase ( or 2) when he comes to Canada, but he can not import thins into the country... so you could hold on to shipping anything... or ship anything but not do the customs clearance until he gets his PR ( then he would be able to import everything tax free).

At the border, it depends on the officer, but it should be no problem. Carry the letter of approval ( first stage) as a proof that you have applied for PR. WHen asked for how long, ask for 6 months (the maximum you will get at the border), and it can always be extended ( but given the waiting time in Manila it should not be necessary ). IF he is traveling with a one-way ticket ( like I did), then maybe it's wise to have proofs of funds ( for buying a ticket if needed), and also your pay stubs to show that you have the means to support him while he waits for PR.

He might not be asked for anything ( I wasn't - I said I was coming to wait out my PR, but was not asked for any proofs!) but better be prepared.

Lots of people do it, and here is always a small risk of being refused entry, but in your case I think it's quite unlikely.
Good luck,
Sweden

 

[yumeryuu]

I have a house waiting for us. Also I knew my husband wouldn't be able to work. That isn't a problem... Although what you are saying is really reassuring.

So as long as I have all the proof that he is in process, it should be ok to take him home and wait it out? We can't stay in Japan any longer and I couldn't stand to be away from him. It makes me happy to know I can bring him home.

But will Manila ask for an interview?

 

[yumeryuu]

Sorry, what is ECAS?
Also I haven't heard from Manila yet... When do you think I will hear at least something from them? It doesn't have to be an acceptance... just like a 'Hey, we got your app. This is your client number.'

 

[Sweden]

Whether Manila will ask for an interview is up to them, we can't know in advance. If they ask for an interview, your husband will have to fly to Manila, or Japan maybe ( not sure with regional centers). But if you have been married for a while, first sponsorship for you, and living together, it's unlikely that your husband will be called for an interview.
ecas is the online system from CIC where you can see progress on your application ( if any progress!!) it's not very reliable and updated, but you can always try... it has been down for a week more or less now, so it might not work for you, but try. GO to CIC website, and click on "checking the status of your application" and follow the links...
I'm not sure about Manila - each VO has its own system. There is a thread for "Manila for english speakers", as the other Manila thread are mostly in tagalog, which might be hard for you to follow. They will be able to tell you more about the process.
If you log into ecas, you can use the UCI + sponsor info ( no initial or first name, only last name) that you got from the first stage approval. Or file number ( starting with F) and the applicant info. You should have a first part about the sponsorship reading "decision made", and a second part "Application for PR" which says either "application received", or "in process", or "decision made".
Good luck,
Sweden

 

[Sweden]

here is the thread http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/manila-tread-for-english-speakers-join-here-t123646.510.html
quite a few are spouses who don't speak tagalog, or with japanese/korean spouses going through Manila.
Sweden

 

[amikety]

Chances for an interview are slim for visa exempt spouses. I won't say it never happens, but it's rare. I tried to get an idea of how often people through my VO went for interviews (Ottawa - USA), so I looked at our spreadsheet....... and found no one registered at the forum listed an interview. If you were living together in Japan too, that will lessen the chances. I would put money aside just in case - if not used, then you can take a more fun vacation later!

Things sound pretty good from your post. I don't think you'll have too much to worry about.