Visa Extension Processing Time

[Iamrobot85]

Hello,
I was just wondering how long it takes, typically, in your experiences, to process an extension of a visitor's visa? I was wondering because the website says that for the Buffalo office (which I think is where mine would go through since I live in the US) takes about 22 days or along those lines, but my immigration consultant seemed to think it would take two or three months. Which is more true?

Also, is there any penalty for not submitting your request before 30 days?

I am asking because my immigration consultant seemed pretty sure that if I sent in a request to have my visa extended that I would be denied, and he advised that I wait until just before my visa expires before I send the request. He seemed to be under the impression that it would take months to process the extension and that it would be likely that my PRS application would be processed by then.

The people on this message board had said that that's not likely that my request for a visa extension would be denied if I have completed and submitted the PRS application, which I did about 5 or 6 weeks ago, but I felt pressured to take my consultant's advice and wait and now I am worried that I made the wrong decision.

 

[BeShoo]

When you say "visa" what is your citizenship? U.S. ctizens (and those of many other countries) are visa exempt. It gets much more confusing when an actual "visa" is involved.

Anyway, if you're asking for an extension to your current visitor status, I think that it's normally processed in Vegreville, Alberta. They are currently quoting about 105 days for mailed-in applications and about 55 days for electronic ones. They ask for it 30 days in advance but they will accept it even the day before. If you're mailing it, you might want to make sure it gets there by then, but I'm pretty sure they go by the postmark date. There is no penalty for sending it at the last minute, but if you wait till after the last minute, you have to request a restoration of status, which costs $200 instead of $75 and there's a limit to how long you can wait and still apply for that.

If you're not visa-exempt, the details may depend on what kind of a visa you have.

 

[Iamrobot85]

Actually I meant visitor status, I am a US citizen, sorry for the confusion but this helps a lot, actually. Thanks!

 

[Baloo]

If you are applying by postal mail, make sure you get proof of delivery.
I usually use a courier service.

 

[QCSunshine]

Are you in Canada or in the US? If you applying to extend and are in currently Canada, the request to extend your visitor's visa goes through Vegreville.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/extend-stay.asp

Here are the processing times, as of today:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/temp.asp

They request that you apply 30 days before your status expires, but they will still process your request as long as you submit it before your current status expires. But make sure you have a confirmation of receipt of the submission of your request, whether you use the online process or paper submission.

 

[kelKel]

Iamrobot85 are you currently living in Canada? All extension applications are sent to Vegreville, Alberta. They suggest you send it in 30 days before but alot of people have sent it closer to the date and still got approved.

Right now they are working on applications submitted on August 23 and taking 115 days to process. So your consultant/lawyer is correct in that aspect. If you've submitted a family class application you most likely will not be refused if you include all the documents requested, copy of your receipt for PR, bank statements, letter of support from sponsor ect.

Hope this helps!

 

[BeShoo]

We just got back an extension. Details are here: http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/visa-extensionconjugal-sponsorship-t53610.0.html;msg539699#msg539699

 

[Iamrobot85]

Hey guys,
Yes, I am in Canada now and getting ready to submit my request to have visitor's status extended. Thanks for the info, it's very helpful.

 

[RobsLuv]

The important thing is that it is received by CPC-Vegreville BEFORE your current status expires. They will want proof that you are an eligible PR applicant and that a PR application has been submitted. You can apply online but it seems to me that it would be a lot harder to include evidences of your relationship and the PR ap - plus, by applying by mail, you can track the delivery and get signature confirmation so that you can prove that you submitted on time and that you benefit from "implied status" to remain in Canada until they make a decision on the extension. Be aware that if you leave Canada while they are assessing the extension ap, you'll lose your implied status.

Also, not sure about this consultant you're working with - did he give you any specific reason supporting his assumption that the extension would be denied? The most common reason would be if you have no documentation for your entry date to Canada . . . you have to be able to show that you have not overstayed in order to be eligible to apply to extend from within Canada.

 

[Iamrobot85]

I don't know why my immigration consultant seemed very sure that I would get denied. When I asked him he simply said "based clients that have gone through similar experiences" or something like that. Everything he says, though, I am taking with a grain of salt because he is often wrong.

Anyway, I am wondering what I should say on the form where it asks why I want to extend my visitor status.... any suggestions?

 

[BeShoo]

Well, you have to put some reason for your visit. You can put something like spending time with your spouse/partner or some people write "exploring our relationship." Besides that, though, they would like you to have some visitor-type plans, so if you have any plans for travelling around Canada, exploring the area where you live, attending some sort of festivals that you couldn't attend in the U.S., that sort of thing, you might mention those. On my partner's last application, we mentioned travel plans in parts of Ontario, and spending Christmas with my family in Canada. I think they like to see that you have some reason for a visit and not just that you are trying to illegally move to Canada. Of course, the PR application means that you are trying to follow legal channels.

Definitely attach a copy of your receipt for the PR, proof of means of support and a place to stay (letter from your partner), copy of your medical form if you have it, etc. I was able to combine many of there things into one PDF for the electronic application.

 

[QCSunshine]

I went with something like what Kelkel suggests in this thread (and their request to extend as a visitor was approved.):
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/-t50754.0.html

 

[Iamrobot85]

Thanks!

I mailed it off today and they should receive it Friday (luckily I am in Calgary, not far from where it's going). I got tracking so I can see for sure that they got it. Hopefully they extend it but in reality there is a very good chance that I will be asked to present my passport before I ever hear back from them.

Thanks, you guys have been very helpful.

 

[deecajun]

Hi

My visitor status ends June 25, 2011. If I submit electronic extension, does that allow me to stay in Canada while I wait for an answer?


Is there a hotline phone number for help?

 

[Iamrobot85]

You can stay in Canada while the application is processing. I would advise you to use a courier service or UPS or Fed-Ex or something and MAIL in your application because mail-in applications take 2-3 TIMES longer to process, and you are legally able to stay in Canada during that process. So if you applied for PRS and are waiting for a reply, you will have more of a chance of getting an answer from the PR people before you hear from the visitor status people if you MAIL it in. I would also make a note that you've filled out the PR application and provide proof of that (perhaps a receipt from paying the fees or from mailing the application). Anyway, hope this helps.