US outland applicants' thread :)

[mameelynn]

Nothing has changed on ECAS it still says in process...no address update nothing...so I wouldn't go as per what it says. I'm thinking some agents are faster than others!

do you know when it went from "application received" to "in process"? Ours hasn't done anything since application received....

 

[Creampop]

I hope they accept a copy - I recall someone else trying to send in a copy when they asked for the original passport and having it rejected. I sent my passport because the OB says the VO has the option to accept just a copy rather than the original so my interpretation was that it is the VO's option to choose, not the applicant's option to choose.

I'm going as per what the lawyers said...and it's clearly written down from them and I called to confirm. They are experienced in the matter so I'm putting my faith in them.

I got my PPR from LA on October 9th and it said valid passport nothing about photocopies when I called CIC they said follow the e-mail... e-mail said valid passport so I sent valid passport I am in Canada without a passport so I hope it makes it back LOL

 

[computergeek]

I got my PPR from LA on October 9th and it said valid passport nothing about photocopies when I called CIC they said follow the e-mail... e-mail said valid passport so I sent valid passport I am in Canada without a passport so I hope it makes it back LOL

I did exactly the same thing. I was at least fortunate to have a backup (that second US passport - for exactly this situation!) I gave them a US Express Mail prepaid envelope (not sure why they wouldn't let you use the global priority prepaid envelope for shipment back to Canada) and had it sent to my company's US office. USPS took two days to deliver a "guaranteed overnight" envelope.

FedEx with Saturday delivery worked, which is why I got my passport and COPR back yesterday and landed less than 4 hours later.

Good luck with getting your passport and COPR back and enjoy the sweet success of your landing!

 

[parker24]

do you know when it went from "application received" to "in process"? Ours hasn't done anything since application received....

It will say In Process. Ours says In Process as well.

 

[santoki]

I did exactly the same thing. I was at least fortunate to have a backup (that second US passport - for exactly this situation!) I gave them a US Express Mail prepaid envelope (not sure why they wouldn't let you use the global priority prepaid envelope for shipment back to Canada) and had it sent to my company's US office. USPS took two days to deliver a "guaranteed overnight" envelope.

FedEx with Saturday delivery worked, which is why I got my passport and COPR back yesterday and landed less than 4 hours later.

Good luck with getting your passport and COPR back and enjoy the sweet success of your landing!

Once PPR is requested and completed (which takes about 2-3 weeks, right?) and you receive PR approval, can you tell me how long your landing is valid from? Is it 60 days exactly from day of approval?

 

[parker24]

Once PPR is requested and completed (which takes about 2-3 weeks, right?) and you receive PR approval, can you tell me how long your landing is valid from? Is it 60 days exactly from day of approval?

From my understanding, it's until your medical expires? But I'm sure computergeek can tell 100% accuracy

 

[computergeek]

From my understanding, it's until your medical expires? But I'm sure computergeek can tell 100% accuracy

The lesser of the expiration of your medical results or your passport.

So in my case, my passport expires 24 September 2017 and my medicals expire 5 February 2013, so my COPR had to be used by 5 February 2013. I didn't want to cut it close, though, so I used it sooner. 8)

 

[santoki]

The lesser of the expiration of your medical results or your passport.

So in my case, my passport expires 24 September 2017 and my medicals expire 5 February 2013, so my COPR had to be used by 5 February 2013. I didn't want to cut it close, though, so I used it sooner. 8)

Ah, ok perfect. Thanks again!

 

[MisterDBarton]

As of Friday my medical results were received. Not sure where to put that on my profile, already filled out the meds request and done part. Regardless, I feel like things are finally official.

 

[JimM]

It took exactly 7 months and 5 days from application received to PPR...

WE sent it out today it will be received next wednesday we were given only 15 days from receipt of the letter to sent all the documentation back...It says a valid original passport...but since my husband is a US Citizen we only need to sent photocopies of a valid original passport.

Thank you to everyone for the support!!!If we look at it its 4 PPR this week, they are moving hopefully everyone will get news soon!!!

Wow, that was fast! Congratulations!

Hopefully they'll pick up the pace for all of us now!

 

[cgagnon]

I did exactly the same thing. I was at least fortunate to have a backup (that second US passport - for exactly this situation!) I gave them a US Express Mail prepaid envelope (not sure why they wouldn't let you use the global priority prepaid envelope for shipment back to Canada) and had it sent to my company's US office. USPS took two days to deliver a "guaranteed overnight" envelope.

FedEx with Saturday delivery worked, which is why I got my passport and COPR back yesterday and landed less than 4 hours later.

Good luck with getting your passport and COPR back and enjoy the sweet success of your landing!

It says Valid original passport and it clearly states that visa exempt countries no longer require to said the physical passport what they mean by valid is dont send photocopies of an expired passport or of a year ago...trust me when i saw that on the e-mail i called my lawyer's office and that is how they explained it to me. There is a whole bulletin on it..they can't just forego the bulleting without issuing an other one stating that this is not the case anymore and Ottawa is processing many applications so i'm sure it's a generic I will keep you posted!

 

[parker24]

It says Valid original passport and it clearly states that visa exempt countries no longer require to said the physical passport what they mean by valid is dont send photocopies of an expired passport or of a year ago...trust me when i saw that on the e-mail i called my lawyer's office and that is how they explained it to me. There is a whole bulletin on it..they can't just forego the bulleting without issuing an other one stating that this is not the case anymore and Ottawa is processing many applications so i'm sure it's a generic I will keep you posted!

And I'd be paranoid to send hubby's actual passport

 

[tavora]

I have a question for those of you who have your American spouse (or you are the American spouse) who is staying in Canada as a visitor while your PR application is in process:

What method of travel did you or your spouse use to enter Canada for the extended visit? I ask because I think I'm going to have my husband come up to visit me in February until we're finished the process.
We filed in July, so I think it would be optimistic to assume we'd be done by February.

Our options are:
1) He flies here and books a refundable ticket with a return six months later
2) He drives up here alone on his own
3) I fly down to him and we both drive back to Canada together. (I have a Nexus card so I have a fairly easy time at the airport).

Which option do you think is preferable? Also, if we drive, he would like to bring his desktop computer with him, but would this look too much like he is trying to 'move' here? With a laptop, few would bat an eye, but maybe a desktop computer would look bad?

Any advice appreciated!

 

[Occasita]

I have a question for those of you who have your American spouse (or you are the American spouse) who is staying in Canada as a visitor while your PR application is in process:

What method of travel did you or your spouse use to enter Canada for the extended visit? I ask because I think I'm going to have my husband come up to visit me in February until we're finished the process.
We filed in July, so I think it would be optimistic to assume we'd be done by February.

Our options are:
1) He flies here and books a refundable ticket with a return six months later
2) He drives up here alone on his own
3) I fly down to him and we both drive back to Canada together. (I have a Nexus card so I have a fairly easy time at the airport).

Which option do you think is preferable? Also, if we drive, he would like to bring his desktop computer with him, but would this look too much like he is trying to 'move' here? With a laptop, few would bat an eye, but maybe a desktop computer would look bad?

Any advice appreciated!

My husband and I began the process with him as a visitor (for 3 months, before he was issued a student visa). What I found was:

-Driving across the border, he has ALWAYS had an easier time (3 times was asked tons of questions while travelling via airport, via car almost never questioned)
-Travelling together is much easier (4 times we travelled together, out of a total 20-30 crossings, these 4 times were the easiest)

So I would reccomend option (3) from personal experience.

Personally, I would not bring the ENTIRE desktop - a hard drive would probably be fine ("its an internal drive, just for storing things"), but I would expect customs to see an entire desktop as suspicious.
Then again, the first time my husband came to visit he brought an entire CAR full of stuff, including a huge TV. So really, it depends on the border agent and how much you can convince them of your intentions NOT to stay in Canada if the sponsorship application falls through (they always assume the worst).

 

[Creampop]

It says Valid original passport and it clearly states that visa exempt countries no longer require to said the physical passport what they mean by valid is dont send photocopies of an expired passport or of a year ago...trust me when i saw that on the e-mail i called my lawyer's office and that is how they explained it to me. There is a whole bulletin on it..they can't just forego the bulleting without issuing an other one stating that this is not the case anymore and Ottawa is processing many applications so i'm sure it's a generic I will keep you posted!

Yes it says "We require an original VALID passport for yourself and every accompanying family member" and no where does it state in the e-mail photocopies are to be sent. there was no bulletin attached to my e-mail saying photocopies were acceptable, I didn't want to have to wait longer so I sent my passport besides unless your passport was to expire when you sent off the application why would they need another (there was 7 years left on my passport) a year later... so I don't understand what you mean by that part?