New Problem - Extension is really short

[christinebear]

I applied for a visitor visa extension. Just got approved. My PR is almost ready to go (scheduled medical exam), but I just got wind the changes.

My new extension is only good through March 5th! What if my PR isn't accepted in that amount of time, which I'm certain it will not be! I have to apply to extend again? Will they say no? Why did they make my extension so short?

:-[

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Some info would help. How long did you ask for? When did you apply? When did your previous status expire? What documents did you submit with the extension app?

With sufficient finances and proof of a PR app, there is little chance of an extension being refused.

 

[christinebear]

I came to visit for a bit autumn 2015. Then on December 30th we hit the border into Canada and said I wanted to stay longer. They gave a visitor visa letter and said to apply for extension when needed. In May 2016 I applied for an extension and they approved it until Nov 30 2016. But the summer didn't go according to plan. I've had a hard time finding jobs willing or able to sponsor me (our original plan because money is nice). So we started the PR process. But that was the biggest pain in the ***. The government actually lost my papers for three months! Then my FBI check took a very long time. I didn't get everything together until Oct. So while dealing with that, I applied for another extension to the November date.

They didn't accept until a few days ago and only granted me until March 5th! I requested 6 months to a year. I included an explanation letter and my bank statements...

Now with the changes, how am I supposed to get the PR in time? Plus, do I even try to extend again?? I guess after I submit my PR packet it would be easier to get approved? My medical is scheduled within the next two weeks, then I'm submitting the new packet right away!

 

[CDNPR2014]

I came to visit for a bit autumn 2015. Then on December 30th we hit the border into Canada and said I wanted to stay longer. They gave a visitor visa letter and said to apply for extension when needed. In May 2016 I applied for an extension and they approved it until Nov 30 2016. But the summer didn't go according to plan. I've had a hard time finding jobs willing or able to sponsor me (our original plan because money is nice). So we started the PR process. But that was the biggest pain in the ***. The government actually lost my papers for three months! Then my FBI check took a very long time. I didn't get everything together until Oct. So while dealing with that, I applied for another extension to the November date.

They didn't accept until a few days ago and only granted me until March 5th! I requested 6 months to a year. I included an explanation letter and my bank statements...

Now with the changes, how am I supposed to get the PR in time? Plus, do I even try to extend again?? I guess after I submit my PR packet it would be easier to get approved? My medical is scheduled within the next two weeks, then I'm submitting the new packet right away!

your options are to apply for another extension when it gets closer to the expiration and specifically ask for 12 months or longer because you have a pr application submitted (show proof of your application). or you will have to leave and either wait for PR approval or come back as a visitor again. they may have given a short extension because there is no record of a current pr application, or it could be related to the expiration of your passport. it's good to check your passport to ensure your expiration date is more than 6 mo. out.

 

[christinebear]

Thank you. I didn't think to check that. I'm going to check my passport, but will for sure reapply once I have submitted my PR packet to show them I'm serious. Plus, I'm thinking I might need to show more financial backing. I'm not sure how much they are expecting me to have, but all my needs are met!

 

[CDNPR2014]

Thank you. I didn't think to check that. I'm going to check my passport, but will for sure reapply once I have submitted my PR packet to show them I'm serious. Plus, I'm thinking I might need to show more financial backing. I'm not sure how much they are expecting me to have, but all my needs are met!

make sure the extension request is not longer than your passport expiration date. if your passport is valid for less than a year, then you won't get an extension for 12+ months.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

They didn't accept until a few days ago and only granted me until March 5th! I requested 6 months to a year. I included an explanation letter and my bank statements...

Now with the changes, how am I supposed to get the PR in time? Plus, do I even try to extend again?? I guess after I submit my PR packet it would be easier to get approved? My medical is scheduled within the next two weeks, then I'm submitting the new packet right away!

Once a person has been here awhile, IRCC likes to see concrete proof of a PR application. This is why I always recommend people applying for extensions to pay the full PR fees and include that receipt to show that they are serious about applying for PR.

Don't stress. You can certainly request another extension in February; with proof of the PR, there should be no issues.

At this point, no one really knows what is going to happen with the processing times. Generally, outland has always been the better choice for an American because it averages around 6 months vs. up to 2.5 years for inland. However, with the new process, no one knows if that 6 month average will stay the same or increase, especially given that Ottawa (the VO that processes American apps) is also an overflow office and may start taking a lot more apps from other countries to meet IRCC's 12 month commitment. Since IRCC has also stated that inland apps will be processed in 12 months or less and will grant the OWP within 4 months of submission, it may be something you want to consider.

 

[Aquakitty]

Thank you. I didn't think to check that. I'm going to check my passport, but will for sure reapply once I have submitted my PR packet to show them I'm serious. Plus, I'm thinking I might need to show more financial backing. I'm not sure how much they are expecting me to have, but all my needs are met!

I agree, don't stress. My husband might hold the Canadian record in visitor extensions, for you one more isn't a big deal. And as long as you submit PR proof they will likely be more lenient.

Like said above, you were probably shorted because lack of proof of the PR application.

 

[christinebear]

I think that's it. I should have provided more. My passport is good through 2025! Well, lesson learned.