Young wife, beginning application forms for spousal sponsorship.

[thesingingwife]

Hahaha, I genuinely enjoy all of your responses.

(As for the bored issue- I'm an artist and musician, not working for once in my life gives me all the time in the world to draw, paint, make music, cook new things, work out, etc.

And I am guessing an interview will be likely because of this-

My husband and I met through Facebook a year ago. We started really really talking in August, and the first time we skyped, skyped for nine hours, and told each other a week later that the first time we saw each other and spoke, we knew we were going to get married. From that day, we were skyping every day multiple hours and when we werent skyping, and were working- we were messaging on facebook. 2 Weeks after our relationship was "official" in September, we got engaged and then I flew to Vancouver on December 28 and we married January 1st. This means we only had 4 days together "in person" before our marriage, I assume this is going to look odd in the eyes of most, and so from there I assumed the interview is likely.

 

[CutiePie92]

singingwife, i really recommend you to file an outland application. with an inland app you're looking at 19 months of processing , while the outland route saves you 6 months at least.

even if you have a short courtship and CIC would "deny" you, with an inland application you have no right to appeal that decision - only if you apply outland. (i think you'll be just fine, but it's generally best to have more possibilities)

and like others have said, with an inland app you're not supposed to leave Canada. if you do, no one can guarantee that you can return to Canada, therefore your app will be tossed right out the window.

you can stay in Canada throughout the process with an outland app, but you can return to the US to visit family for example. with an inland app you're stuck in Canada throughout the process.

FYI, they keep increasing processing times for inland so you can't predict what CIC will do .. it's your decision but i hope you'll change your mind and apply outland

 

[Ponga]

Yep. Getting married 4 days after you met your husband (especially at your age) could certainly be a red flag.

Are you also aware that since you are a musician/singer, you can't even play in a [working] band without an open work permit?!?!

You also couldn't sell your artwork.

However, a busker doesn't need a work permit.

 

[rhcohen2014]

I agree, APPLY OUTLAND! There is absolutely NO benefit for a US citizen to apply inland. If/When an interview is requested should not be a deciding factor to lock yourself into an application process for more time than necessary. REmember US applicants get a lot of leeway, so if your application involves lots of solid proof, along with declarations from family/friends about your relationship, perhaps the interview WILL be waived. It's impossible to predict what will happen. Start making a plan now in case an interview is called.

Already having the inland forms filled out also is not a reason to decide to apply inland. For the most part, the information is the same and is transferrable. Also, more likely than not, since you've already prepared an inland app, the outland one will be a breeze as I believe it requires less.

Also, what happens if you become pregnant and want to start a family during the processing time? Any prenatal or birthing care will need to be paid out of pocket since not all provinces approve health care for PR applicants. Even the provinces that do, make it extremely difficult to obtain.

 

[CutiePie92]

Already having the inland forms filled out also is not a reason to decide to apply inland. For the most part, the information is the same and is transferrable. Also, more likely than not, since you've already prepared an inland app, the outland one will be a breeze as I believe it requires less.

Also, what happens if you become pregnant and want to start a family during the processing time? Any prenatal or birthing care will need to be paid out of pocket since not all provinces approve health care for PR applicants. Even the provinces that do, make it extremely difficult to obtain.

exactly, the lack of health coverage in case of a pregnancy is something to be considered.. if i'm not mistaking , travel visas won't cover birth costs either.

because of the way those forms are made, i had to redo some forms 3,4 times. doesn't matter, it's better to be sure about it. don't get lazy about completing some forms, you're moving to another country so taking the necessary time and attention for completing them is crucial!

 

[thesingingwife]

Alright, alright. You've all more or less convinced us, haha.

In choosing to do outland- this means I have to have my medical examination done upfront with the application?

 

[rhcohen2014]

Alright, alright. You've all more or less convinced us, haha.

In choosing to do outland- this means I have to have my medical examination done upfront with the application?

it is suggested to do it upfront, however many have gotten sponsorship approval without it. CIC will request it in the sponsorship approval letter. It is far more cheaper to get it done in Canada than the US.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

This means we only had 4 days together "in person" before our marriage, I assume this is going to look odd in the eyes of most, and so from there I assumed the interview is likely.

Had you applied for PR immediately after the marriage, you would have most likely had an interview.

However, you guys have now actually lived together for several months (you don't say exactly but since the marriage?). This time living together really (not to sound offensive lol) "legitimizes" the relationship.

Also, online relationships are perfectly acceptable these days, especially for a Canadian-American couple. There are a lot of couples on this forum who had significant online relationships prior to being together in person. Many of them continued the long distance relationship after the marriage and never even really lived together before the foreign spouse became a PR.

 

[thesingingwife]

Had you applied for PR immediately after the marriage, you would have most likely had an interview.

However, you guys have now actually lived together for several months (you don't say exactly but since the marriage?). This time living together really (not to sound offensive lol) "legitimizes" the relationship.

Also, online relationships are perfectly acceptable these days, especially for a Canadian-American couple. There are a lot of couples on this forum who had significant online relationships prior to being together in person. Many of them continued the long distance relationship after the marriage and never even really lived together before the foreign spouse became a PR.

That's very reassuring to hear!
Yes, it's now been a week shy of being married 6 months.

In addition to the fact that the time we've now been married is beneficial, will it be in my best interest to include documents of our skype call log and facebook log to refer to with the application?
I don't see documents like these in the "document checklist" but of course I would assume they are requiring/expecting pictures of both us as a couple (we have so many, to no surprise, lol) as well as documents showing the progression of our relationship online prior to moving and getting married?

 

[Alurra71]

That's very reassuring to hear!
Yes, it's now been a week shy of being married 6 months.

In addition to the fact that the time we've now been married is beneficial, will it be in my best interest to include documents of our skype call log and facebook log to refer to with the application?
I don't see documents like these in the "document checklist" but of course I would assume they are requiring/expecting pictures of both us as a couple (we have so many, to no surprise, lol) as well as documents showing the progression of our relationship online prior to moving and getting married?

Any quality information you have to include in your application that will bolster your side and make them see a true relationship is a good thing. Just remember, it's not always about quantity, it is very much about quality.

 

[thesingingwife]

Definitely!

We have lots of photos ranging from instagram to "photoshoots" (lol) we have on my kindle and our laptop, as well as professional pictures gifted to us by his family, and pictures from the wedding reception thrown for us as a late celebration last month, etc. etc. etc. Not to mention the logs of our skype calls and facebook history, haha.

Thanks for the input!

 

[blueangel371115]

You're very welcome, but...I must say that your MoP is mistaken. An Outland application for an American that has no `red flags' is usually COMPLETED within 12 months, as it is processed entirely in Canada. Only if there is an issue with the applicant, would the application be sent to LA or NY, which would delay the process.

An Inland application currently takes 11 months just to reach stage 1 (of 2 required) approval and does in fact take longer.

The FBI website showed the processing time to be ~ 25 calendar days, the last time I looked.

I talked to my husband's MoP and she said the same thing, but if you check the timelines on the spreadsheets on this site and on the CIC website that's definitely not the case. Some outland folks are getting their PR before inlanders who applied the same time are getting stage one so I'd strongly advise against inland especially if you plan on traveling home in the next year and half (or whatever the timeline says now, last I checked it was 18 months), as if you are denied reentry into Canada, your application is considered abandoned and you need to start over. As far as I know that doesn't happen with outland so you can come and go, just keep in mind it's up to the Customs officer whether or not you are allowed in but last I checked you won't 'lose' your application if for some reason you are denied. Senior members, feel free to add to or correct me. This is just based upon my research and understanding.

 

[Amalthea]

You said money is an issue for you, but you want to file an application that takes twice as long? Sweetheart, that means you won't be able to work for 2 years or longer, instead of 5-8 months!

That means no music, nothing online, no selling artwork. My friend got caught babysitting during her inland app through some text messages, and even though she wasn't getting paid (they didn't believe her) they kicked her out of the country. They had to move to the US.

Someone just had their Outland application approved in 5 months at CPC-Ottawa (our outland US visa office). You can still live in Canada during an Outland application, as long as you keep your status! (Unless there's a stamp on your passport, visitor visas are good for 6 months.. don't forget to extend it plenty ahead of time!!)

Outland is by far, far far the better choice. I just filled out all the forms from scratch yesterday in 5 hours. If you already did Inland, you probably have most of the info already, just transfer it over What's 5 hours vs an extra 1.5 years you can't make a single dollar?

 

[Amalthea]

There's a US-Outland thread, a facebook group, and a CPC-ottawa thread. Feel free to join us! <3

I was originally going to apply Inland, because I was misinformed about the visa office/wait times as well. Really glad I switched to Outland.

And to answer your question, Americans have a really easy time getting approved. Don't stress it.. Marriage fraud isn't as common, so we have it a little easier. They are mostly just looking for marriage fraud, so make sure you include all your messages, skype calls, etc.. The more the better, and the less likely you will have to have an interview. The most common reason for an interview is because they are worried about the genuineness of a relationship, but for Americans interviews seem to be quite rare.

And yes, you need to follow the checklist - Your FBI record, and your Medicals done by a panel physician Along with all the forms.

Like I said, feel free to join us on the FB group or other threads We're all in the same boat as you! A lot of people sending their apps this week. I'm still putting mine together.. XD

and PS; Don't stress! It'll be fine

 

[keesio]

Someone just had their Outland application approved in 5 months at CPC-Ottawa (our outland US visa office).

Yup. It was Zarilenth. Exactly 5 months from when she filed to getting CoPR in the mail for her husband
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/got-decision-made-what-should-our-next-steps-be-t225828.0.html

It was one of the fastest ones but my wife got her's in 7 months. Many others have gotten it in the 6-8 months time frame.

Basically if you have a straightforward case and send in a complete application, then i'd say 8 months is average, maybe even a bit on the long-ish side.