JULY 2020 *Outland* Spousal Sponsorship

[LotusLeodis]

....some (somewhat like your case) plan to move back to Canada with Canadian sponsor abroad but want to secure employment or have children finish school or other issues first.
...Still suggest you consider applying for trv for spouse, if approved, you have more options.

Yes, this is us - we are physically in the same place and would like to keep geographic separation to a minimum, if we can.

I think it sounds like your suggestion is to apply for a TRV once spouse's PR is approved, but would this be before COPR, I guess? That way, we might be able to go back a little earlier?

Possible avenue, if system wasn't too slow. We shall see.

 

[armoured]

Yes, this is us - we are physically in the same place and would like to keep geographic separation to a minimum, if we can.

I think it sounds like your suggestion is to apply for a TRV once spouse's PR is approved, but would this be before COPR, I guess? That way, we might be able to go back a little earlier?

Possible avenue, if system wasn't too slow. We shall see.

No, my suggestion is to apply for TRV right away. If approved, you should be able to go together to Canada at any time, at your discretion.

If you don't end up going before COPR, no problem, up to you. But at least you'll have the option.

 

[Alexn]

We will be sending in the application once translations come back. Outland applying from Japan, for my Japanese spouse. I am a Canadian citizen. I was hoping to be able to return to Canada next August when my current work is over here in Japan, but by the looks of things my wife will not get a PR in time to make a smooth transition.
That means in august 2021 she will probably accompany me to Canada using an ETA, while waiting for the outland PR to process. Complications abound as with travel restrictions flagpolling to the USA wouldnt be possible...
Not too thrilled about the delay as she wont be able to work or have healthcare in Canada while we wait for IRCC to sort out this paper application mess, even though it is a year away.

I'm looking at the option of applying for a working holiday visa, and moving with my Canadian spouse to Canada, in case things take too long. It might be an option for you.

 

[LotusLeodis]

No, my suggestion is to apply for TRV right away. If approved, you should be able to go together to Canada at any time, at your discretion.

If you don't end up going before COPR, no problem, up to you. But at least you'll have the option.

Does TRV have an expiration date? What are its' limitations? How do you apply? Do you have any links?

So many questions and we are not even formally in the system yet! Eek.

I'm looking at the option of applying for a working holiday visa, and moving with my Canadian spouse to Canada, in case things take too long. It might be an option for you.

That might be an option. I have no idea what the rules are regarding applying for more than one visa concurrently, especially outland.

Unfortunately, the working holiday visa wouldn't be an option for us.

 

[armoured]

Does TRV have an expiration date? What are its' limitations? How do you apply? Do you have any links?

So many questions and we are not even formally in the system yet! Eek.

That might be an option. I have no idea what the rules are regarding applying for more than one visa concurrently, especially outland.

The links are all over incl on government of canada website, look through here for discussions of how to apply and what to show, multiple threads where this has come up. You can apply for TRV online. There's no problem applying for TRV at same time as outland application in process. Again, may not be granted, but if - as you stated earlier - you want to go to Canada with your spouse, don't see why you wouldn't try.

TRV expiration date - just depends. Can be up to length of validity of passport. But even if you get only shorter term validity, typically six months granted leave to stay at border, can be extended within Canada (conditions apply).

 

[canadan_]

Does TRV have an expiration date? What are its' limitations? How do you apply? Do you have any links?

So many questions and we are not even formally in the system yet! Eek.



That might be an option. I have no idea what the rules are regarding applying for more than one visa concurrently, especially outland.

Unfortunately, the working holiday visa wouldn't be an option for us.

I think I read previously your spouse is from the UK? If that’s the case, they don’t need a TRV as far as I’m aware. The UK is visa exempt thus they can stay in Canada for up to 6 months, you would just need an eTA for travel. Unsure if you can apply to extend the period beyond 6 months.

 

[LotusLeodis]

I think I read previously your spouse is from the UK? If that’s the case, they don’t need a TRV as far as I’m aware. The UK is visa exempt thus they can stay in Canada for up to 6 months, you would just need an eTA for travel. Unsure if you can apply to extend the period beyond 6 months.

Yes, my spouse is from the UK. So it sounds like a TRV is equivalent to a visitor visa / eTA.

 

[armoured]

I think I read previously your spouse is from the UK? If that’s the case, they don’t need a TRV as far as I’m aware. The UK is visa exempt thus they can stay in Canada for up to 6 months, you would just need an eTA for travel. Unsure if you can apply to extend the period beyond 6 months.

Geez, if true, I missed that and thank you.

If so, there's no reunification issue at all. They could get on a flight tomorrow.

 

[armoured]

Yes, my spouse is from the UK. So it sounds like a TRV is equivalent to a visitor visa.

A TRV is a visitors visa.

Yes, your spouse does not need a visitors visa at all. ETA electronic travel authorization, a formality to get on the plane. She'll be given six months at border (almost always) and can ask to extend if needed.

You have no meaningful barriers to be in Canada at all.

 

[LotusLeodis]

A TRV is a visitors visa.

Yes, your spouse does not need a visitors visa at all. ETA electronic travel authorization, a formality to get on the plane. She'll be given six months at border (almost always) and can ask to extend if needed.

You have no meaningful barriers to be in Canada at all.

Except for the fact that we would like to limitations on spouse being in Canada (ie work, study, access to universal health care). Not to mention the financial implications: flights, housing in two places etc., work etc.

And as we have only just applied for outland spousal visa, length of time to process will definitely be 6 months+ especially with COVID!

But it looks like an option. And that they would have to return to the UK before outland spousal application being approved.

 

[armoured]

Except for the fact that we would like to limitations on spouse being in Canada (ie work, study, access to universal health care). Not to mention the financial implications: flights, housing in two places etc., work etc.

And as we have only just applied for outland spousal visa, length of time to process will definitely be 6 months+ especially with COVID!

But it looks like an option. And that they would have to return to the UK before outland spousal application being approved.

I suggest you look into these things in more detail. Bottom line is, there are no significant barriers to you both being together either in the country where you are, or in Canada. Even for health care and other aspects, look into it - it depends on province and some other factors. (Come on, you didn't seem to be aware that your spouse doesn't even need a visa!)

I don't know what you mean by 'have to return to UK' - the only likely reason for that is an interview, but most family applicants don't need that interview.

You wrote earlier that "Quite simply, I just want to return home. But anyone who has to go through immigration processes is at the mercy of the bureaucratic machine. And it is a burden on families, no matter what your make up or geographic arrangement."

It's one thing to complain about the bureaucratic machine - but sorry, some geographic arrangements are more burdensome than others (i.e. a lot of others here have situations a lot more difficult and problematic than yours). Government made an exception to Covid travel limitations that EXACTLY fits your situation - your spouse can enter with you, and all you have to do is get an ETA and book a flight.

 

[LotusLeodis]

I suggest you look into these things in more detail. Bottom line is, there are no significant barriers to you both being together either in the country where you are, or in Canada. Even for health care and other aspects, look into it - it depends on province and some other factors. (Come on, you didn't seem to be aware that your spouse doesn't even need a visa!)

I don't know what you mean by 'have to return to UK' - the only likely reason for that is an interview, but most family applicants don't need that interview.

I am saying applying outland seems to indicate foreign born spouse cannot stay in the country long term until PR is approved, that is why it is outland - they are not meant to be in Canada, as far as I understand, on the principle of the visa. There are economic costs to both of us going to Canada before PR is approved and I would like to limit that as much as we are able to.

A foreign born spouse does need a visa, otherwise what is the function of immigration systems? An eTA is still a visa. And PR is a visa.

but sorry, some geographic arrangements are more burdensome than others (i.e. a lot of others here have situations a lot more difficult and problematic than yours).

Of course, different people have different burdens and pressures to different degrees; the immigration system is complex, time consuming, stressful and expensive. I wasn't saying what you have said above. There is an emotional cost to many, especially if they are separate, whatever the reasons. I'm not really sure why it seems exception is being taken regarding my comments. I am sorry if this has upset you and it was not my intention.

 

[armoured]

I am saying applying outland seems to indicate foreign born spouse cannot stay in the country long term until PR is approved, that is why it is outland - they are not meant to be in Canada, as far as I understand, on the principle of the visa. There are economic costs to both of us going to Canada before PR is approved and I would like to limit that as much as we are able to.

This is wrong, you and your spouse can go to Canada. Sure, there are costs. You decide what works for you.

A foreign born spouse does need a visa, otherwise what is the function of immigration systems? An eTA is still a visa. And PR is a visa.

No, an ETA is not a visa. eTA is used for those who benefit from visa waivers. Legally a PR is not a visa either, but no point discussing terminology.

Of course, different people have different burdens and pressures to different degrees; the immigration system is complex, time consuming, stressful and expensive. I wasn't saying what you have said above. There is an emotional cost to many, especially if they are separate, whatever the reasons. I'm not really sure why it seems exception is being taken regarding my comments. I am sorry if this has upset you and it was not my intention.

I apologise for my tone, was a bit frustrated that your complaints about bureaucracy were rather overdone when you hadn't even checked whether a visa is even needed.

You have three options that are really not bad (although none are perfect):
1) Just wait and move when your PR is approved. Travel to Canada with/without your spouse as much as you like, basically. Subject to covid requirements.
2) At any time, go with your spouse to Canada to stay, with a few disadvantages like no work permit. Both of you could go back and forth as you wish, more or less.
3) Withdraw your outland app, go to Canada with spouse on visa, and apply inland, staying in Canada while processed; work permit would take several months (check the inland threads however for update on processing times for this) but possibly faster than PR in outland process. You'd be starting your PR application over but since your outland was only just submitted, may not be a big difference.

Good luck.

 

[Fodors_Nicole]

Hey folks, just mailed our Outland application for my common-law partner from Chile yesterday. Supposed to arrive next week.

**Can anyone clarify next steps?**

I understand that we're waiting for AOR1 , but how does that arrive? (Email?) Then we can link applications through GCKey, right? Do we receive any other notification before AOR? Thanks in advance!

 

[armoured]

Yes, aor through email (assuming you indicated that as preference). Access through GCKey at about the same time.