Hello March applicants. This thread has been quite so I hope my introduction will spark everyone in communicating daily and not forgetting your updates if any from IRCC.
My situation is urgent as my husband who is the principal applicant has a removal order now an exclusion order placed on his file due to overstaying his visitor visa by 3 years.
While we were dating, CBSA became aware that he has over stayed on his visa in Canada and needs to leave. We got married in the meantime. CBSA gave an opportunity to fill out a PRRA which will temporary suspend his removal order. After submitting this application form on July 22, 2017, my husband enlisted a lawyer because of the PRRA application that he filled out and that I wish to sponsor him. Through the lawyer, we submitted an inland application on March 12, 2018 in which IRCC was in receipt March 15, 2018. Throughout this time, my husband had to check in monthly at CBSA location in Mississauga. On October 9, 2018, the results from the PRRA were available in which he is rejected (obviously), his removal order changed to Exclusion order. CBSA was already made aware through the lawyer that a spousal application has been submitted in the meantime. This officer was a bit aggressive (saying that a spousal application does not stop a removal order and that we need to do an outland application) and made my husband worried that he had to leave ASAP; I was NOT worried at all because there was no formal document provided that a removal order is in effect only stated in the results of the investigation of the rejected PRRA. We did not bring his passport in the meeting in which was requested to be brought in the 2nd meeting in November. After that meeting I gave the officer a dirty look as he was not professional at ALL. This was discussed with the lawyer we retained in which we were told not to worry, no removal order was given and that I (sponsor) should always attend the meeting at the CBSA office.
We just had a call-in notice meeting with the same CBSA officer, yesterday Nov 13, who has confiscated my husband passport and will “wait” for the sponsorship to be approved. Only a photocopy was given to us. The demeanor of this officer has changed completely, he was friendlier, open and spoke to us in person as opposed to behind the glass counter in the last meeting; I’m shocked but grateful. He also stated that IRCC is speeding up because inland Dec 2017 applications (majority) were finalized in October 2018 (this was a tip that he got from IRCC when he made an inquiry). I mention that I have seen many Jan 2018 app being approved now so we are assuming that March app should hear something in December, the officer agreed and we have another check-in date in December.
So I hope that gives some ease, insight and hope that March app will hear something in December despite that December is a month that people do not work because of Christmas holiday and vacation time taken. It will be the best gift if we all hear something before the year ends.
Cheers!