Waiting for Permanent Residency

[lturnbull]

I have submitted an application for permanent residency, sponsored by my Canadian husband. I am from the US. I have received so much conflicting data about what I can and cannot do while this is processing.

What I am trying to figure out now is whether or not I have to stay in the country while it's being processed. I was told when I submitted it that I would have implied status and that I shouldn't leave while it's being processed. But I just talked to someone from CIC who told me that as a visitor I can only be here for 6 months, unless I apply to extend my stay. How do I apply to extend my stay? Not sure why her information differs so much from what I was told before. Please help!

 

[jpsant]

I have submitted an application for permanent residency, sponsored by my Canadian husband. I am from the US. I have received so much conflicting data about what I can and cannot do while this is processing.

What I am trying to figure out now is whether or not I have to stay in the country while it's being processed. I was told when I submitted it that I would have implied status and that I shouldn't leave while it's being processed. But I just talked to someone from CIC who told me that as a visitor I can only be here for 6 months, unless I apply to extend my stay. How do I apply to extend my stay? Not sure why her information differs so much from what I was told before. Please help!

Hi..
Did you apply as inland or outland?
Extending your visa is pretty easy.. Read this and follow the steps.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/extend-stay.asp
You have to apply at least 30 days before your current visa expires.

 

[lturnbull]

Thank you, I applied within Canada. I was told at the time that I shouldn't leave, so now I have been over here for more than 6 months. If I go over the border for the day and return, would that be sufficient?

 

[MizAngel]

If you applied inland, then as far as I know, you do have implied status. I'm not 100% on that, since we did outland, but from what I've read here, you should be okay.

The problem with doing your application inland and leaving Canada is that if you are not allowed to re-enter Canada once you leave, your application will be rejected and you will have to start all over again. You can try leaving and re-entering, but it could be chancey.

If you want to extend your visitor visa just in case you do not actually have implied status, you can do it online. It costs $100 and you will not have to leave Canada to do it.

 

[lellen]

You only have implied status if you submitted an Open Work Permit application along with your PR application. So if you didn't do that, you'll have to extend your stay as a visitor.

And yes, it is advisable that you stay in the country.

This is all assuming that you applied inland, right?

If you applied Outland (via Ottawa), you can either stay in Canada or go to the US, but you won't have implied status at all and if you want to stay in Canada you definitely need to extend your stay as a visitor. Follow the link jpsant posted.

 

[lturnbull]

Thank you, but if I do leave Canada for the day and return, then I'm valid for another 6 months, correct?

 

[scylla]

No - not necessarily. First of all there's never a guarantee you'll be allowed back in (you should be as an American - but you never know). Secondly, there's no guarantee you will be given a six month visit.

 

[fumbler1983]

Thank you, but if I do leave Canada for the day and return, then I'm valid for another 6 months, correct?

It all depends on the IO you get at the border. The first time I went to the US and came back the IO only gave me 6 weeks. I applied for two extensions since then and got 6 months both times. If I were you, I would only chance leaving Canada if you would be ok if you were denied entry back in. Outland applications for US citizens are being processed really fast so is it worth it? I do know how you feel though because all of my friends and family are within 30 minutes of the border in the US and I have not been able to see them for a long time now.