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US outland applicants' thread :)

screenguy80

Member
Jan 27, 2016
17
0
Okay, doing my own research I think I was too hasty.

Since Inland applications use a different set of forms (for instance IMM 5285 for inland, and IMM 5490 for outland) as well as the country-specific form we put in, there should be no confusion that this is an outland application.

Amazing how I can worry myself over nothing.
 

setec-astronomy

Star Member
Apr 11, 2016
54
2
Category........
Visa Office......
Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
18-03-2016
AOR Received.
14-04-2016 (AOR1)
File Transfer...
26-04-2016 (AOR2)
Med's Done....
11-03-2016 (Upfront)
VISA ISSUED...
28-04-2016
screenguy80 said:
Okay, doing my own research I think I was too hasty.

Since Inland applications use a different set of forms (for instance IMM 5285 for inland, and IMM 5490 for outland) as well as the country-specific form we put in, there should be no confusion that this is an outland application.

Amazing how I can worry myself over nothing.
The opaqueness and seriousness of the whole process really engenders that kind of worry. Don't beat yourself up!
 

Decoy24601

Champion Member
Aug 13, 2015
1,511
52
Vancouver, BC
Category........
Visa Office......
Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
06-04-2016
AOR Received.
28-04-2016
File Transfer...
SA 27-05-2016
Med's Done....
23-03-2016 Upfront
Interview........
Waived
VISA ISSUED...
07-06-2016
LANDED..........
06-07-2016
So, I sent my application to renew my visitor status here in Canada and it arrived at the CIC today. Should I expect any kind of AOR like with my PR application or do I just have to trust my application won't be sent back and I'll be on implied status after my status expires?
 

Aquakitty

VIP Member
Mar 21, 2011
3,015
162
BC
Category........
FAM
Visa Office......
Ottawa
App. Filed.......
04-03-2015
AOR Received.
14-04-2015 - SA Received: 20-04-2015
Med's Done....
28-01-2015 Upfront
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
N/A
VISA ISSUED...
25-06-2015
LANDED..........
11-07-2015
Decoy24601 said:
So, I sent my application to renew my visitor status here in Canada and it arrived at the CIC today. Should I expect any kind of AOR like with my PR application or do I just have to trust my application won't be sent back and I'll be on implied status after my status expires?
I don't think so, unless you do it online. When we mailed my spouses in all 500 times it's just a vortex of nothing till you get the brown envelope in the mail, or the smaller envelope with the "get out of Canada now" card.
 

Decoy24601

Champion Member
Aug 13, 2015
1,511
52
Vancouver, BC
Category........
Visa Office......
Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
06-04-2016
AOR Received.
28-04-2016
File Transfer...
SA 27-05-2016
Med's Done....
23-03-2016 Upfront
Interview........
Waived
VISA ISSUED...
07-06-2016
LANDED..........
06-07-2016
Aquakitty said:
I don't think so, unless you do it online. When we mailed my spouses in all 500 times it's just a vortex of nothing till you get the brown envelope in the mail, or the smaller envelope with the "get out of Canada now" card.
Yeah, that's what I figured. I applied by paper because the processing time is about 4 months right now... and I'm actually kind of hoping my PR application will go through while I'm still on implied status just in case my visitor extension is refused (I'm paranoid).

5 (maybe more now) DMs from February and 2 from March through Ottawa... that's crazy! It seems like a lot of the November/December applicants have DMs now too. I really hope we're looking at 4 month processing times for the summer.
 

Keok

Full Member
Apr 12, 2016
43
1
GTA
Category........
Visa Office......
Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
21-03-2016
Doc's Request.
27-04-2016
Nomination.....
SA: 21-04-2016
AOR Received.
15-04-2016
File Transfer...
AOR2: 26-04-2016
Med's Done....
25-02-2016 Upfront
Passport Req..
DM: 06-05-2016
VISA ISSUED...
COPR: 12-05-2016
Decoy24601 said:
Yeah, that's what I figured. I applied by paper because the processing time is about 4 months right now... and I'm actually kind of hoping my PR application will go through while I'm still on implied status just in case my visitor extension is refused (I'm paranoid).

5 (maybe more now) DMs from February and 2 from March through Ottawa... that's crazy! It seems like a lot of the November/December applicants have DMs now too. I really hope we're looking at 4 month processing times for the summer.
If it eases your mind at all, I applied for a visitor extension after my PR was sent in. I included my PR receipt and a letter of explanation. My extension was granted for 17 months after only 31 days - instead of their official processing time of 154 days online. Visa officer I spoke to told me that it's very common for them to receive visitor extensions from US PR applicants and it would be extremely rare that any are rejected. And Ottawa is going so fast right now, I don't think it'll be an issue for you at all.
 

Decoy24601

Champion Member
Aug 13, 2015
1,511
52
Vancouver, BC
Category........
Visa Office......
Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
06-04-2016
AOR Received.
28-04-2016
File Transfer...
SA 27-05-2016
Med's Done....
23-03-2016 Upfront
Interview........
Waived
VISA ISSUED...
07-06-2016
LANDED..........
06-07-2016
Keok said:
If it eases your mind at all, I applied for a visitor extension after my PR was sent in. I included my PR receipt and a letter of explanation. My extension was granted for 17 months after only 31 days - instead of their official processing time of 154 days online. Visa officer I spoke to told me that it's very common for them to receive visitor extensions from US PR applicants and it would be extremely rare that any are rejected. And Ottawa is going so fast right now, I don't think it'll be an issue for you at all.
That does ease my mind a fair amount. I only asked for 6 months since I doubt my application will take that long and I included my PR receipt, a letter of explanation (I also had to explain a voluntary withdrawal), a letter from my husband saying he will support me, and his bank statements/pay stubs, and our marriage license. I wish I had waited two days to send it, because I received my AOR for my PR application two days later, but oh well. They'll be able to look it up if they want.

It just feels weird knowing I'll be on implied status. I already feel odd enough here. It's not that Vancouver is so vastly different from where I've lived, but since I'm a visitor I feel like I'm not really supposed to be here. It's weird to feel foreign. Once my PR goes through I'll feel a lot more comfortable here and less bored. I'm still grateful that I get to be with my husband though. I could have stayed in the US to work, but we've already been in a long distance relationship for enough time that I didn't want to do it any longer.

Here's to hoping that April applicants through Ottawa have speedy processing times!
 

julies879

Star Member
Mar 4, 2016
159
6
Category........
Visa Office......
Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
06-04-2016
Doc's Request.
17-05-2016, sent same day
AOR Received.
27-04-2016
File Transfer...
16-05-2016
Med's Request
Upfront
Med's Done....
15-03-2016
Interview........
N/A
Passport Req..
N/A
VISA ISSUED...
20-05-2016
LANDED..........
28-02-2017
I know it's kind of a "duh" thing to say but I just love that everyone in this forum is in love with a Canadian. (Or at least that's the goal of genuine relationships! Haha) So much maple leaf love! <3
 

Aquakitty

VIP Member
Mar 21, 2011
3,015
162
BC
Category........
FAM
Visa Office......
Ottawa
App. Filed.......
04-03-2015
AOR Received.
14-04-2015 - SA Received: 20-04-2015
Med's Done....
28-01-2015 Upfront
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
N/A
VISA ISSUED...
25-06-2015
LANDED..........
11-07-2015
Yes, nothing to worry about. If you are ever in a situation where your immigration status comes up, the government agencies know how to look it up.

The only reason my husband was ever denied a status renewal was because we forgot to put in the payment receipt.
 

amuricanuck

Member
Aug 11, 2015
14
1
Category........
Visa Office......
Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
29-03-2016
Doc's Request.
18-05-2016
AOR Received.
21-04-2016
File Transfer...
16-05-2016
Med's Done....
10-12-2015
Interview........
None
setec-astronomy said:
The opaqueness and seriousness of the whole process really engenders that kind of worry. Don't beat yourself up!
Did you get your DM within 2 months?! Holy Smokes!
 

Keok

Full Member
Apr 12, 2016
43
1
GTA
Category........
Visa Office......
Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
21-03-2016
Doc's Request.
27-04-2016
Nomination.....
SA: 21-04-2016
AOR Received.
15-04-2016
File Transfer...
AOR2: 26-04-2016
Med's Done....
25-02-2016 Upfront
Passport Req..
DM: 06-05-2016
VISA ISSUED...
COPR: 12-05-2016
Decoy24601 said:
It just feels weird knowing I'll be on implied status. I already feel odd enough here. It's not that Vancouver is so vastly different from where I've lived, but since I'm a visitor I feel like I'm not really supposed to be here. It's weird to feel foreign. Once my PR goes through I'll feel a lot more comfortable here and less bored. I'm still grateful that I get to be with my husband though. I could have stayed in the US to work, but we've already been in a long distance relationship for enough time that I didn't want to do it any longer.

Here's to hoping that April applicants through Ottawa have speedy processing times!
I know what you mean!! After a long distance relationship, I've been "living" in Canada with my partner on a string of visitors visas since August 2013. Border entries 4 times, with 3 online extensions. You will be fine. But I know what you mean! I absolutely cannot WAIT to get back into the workforce and to feel more productive, like I can belong. I used to volunteer until I learned even that was not allowed! This process is not easy. But at least I'm with my hubby, we are so lucky to be able to stay together. There are so many couples who are stuck apart for far too long, I can't imagine, especially when children are involved. I feel blessed... Bored, and blessed lol.
 

CDNPR2014

VIP Member
Mar 1, 2016
3,180
187
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2014
Keok said:
I used to volunteer until I learned even that was not allowed!
volunteering is allowed for visitors, as long as the position is advertised to the public as a volunteering position. if the "volunteer" position is something the company would otherwise pay a canadian to do, then that is not allowed, that is working for free.
 

Keok

Full Member
Apr 12, 2016
43
1
GTA
Category........
Visa Office......
Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
21-03-2016
Doc's Request.
27-04-2016
Nomination.....
SA: 21-04-2016
AOR Received.
15-04-2016
File Transfer...
AOR2: 26-04-2016
Med's Done....
25-02-2016 Upfront
Passport Req..
DM: 06-05-2016
VISA ISSUED...
COPR: 12-05-2016
OOOOOOH crap crap CRAP, please help me!

I just realized - when it says you need "two statuatory declarations" from individuals attesting to your relationship - do those letters HAVE to be notarized?! I did not realize that's what was meant. My husband and I had 2 parents(one from each side) and 4-5 friends write us supporting letters which we sent in, but none are notarized! They all contain contact information/ phone numbers for the persons who wrote them and are very personal with details of how they perceive my relationship with my sponsor. Is CIC going to reject or return my application if they are not notarized? Should I get two of these people to re-write and notarize their letters?!? If I do, would that be sent in immediately, or only if requested? I already received an email requesting additional documents and nothing was mentioned about these letters. Please advise ??? I'm freaking out here :'(
 

CDNPR2014

VIP Member
Mar 1, 2016
3,180
187
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Ottawa
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Pre-Assessed..
LANDED..........
2014
Keok said:
OOOOOOH crap crap CRAP, please help me!

I just realized - when it says you need "two statuatory declarations" from individuals attesting to your relationship - do those letters HAVE to be notarized?! I did not realize that's what was meant. My husband and I had 2 parents(one from each side) and 4-5 friends write us supporting letters which we sent in, but none are notarized! They all contain contact information/ phone numbers for the persons who wrote them and are very personal with details of how they perceive my relationship with my sponsor. Is CIC going to reject or return my application if they are not notarized? Should I get two of these people to re-write and notarize their letters?!? If I do, would that be sent in immediately, or only if requested? I already received an email requesting additional documents and nothing was mentioned about these letters. Please advise ??? I'm freaking out here :'(
statuatory declarations i believe are for commonlaw relationships, not marriage applications so they don't pertain to your application. also, letters of support are not required to be notarized since they are supporting documents, not required ones. i didn't send any letters of support for my application and i had no issue. your application is not going to be rejected because of something like that. applications can't just be rejected without the applicant having a chance to answer to concerns (ie: additional documentation and interview). there's no reason to worry.