TRV visa to spousal sponsorship, permanent residency or other visas

[Savak]

I submitted the Spousal Sponsorship and Permanent Residency application for my wife on March 30, 2020. Unfortunately like everyone else, because of the pandemic i have still not received any AOR in the email. I reached out to my MP a few times regarding this matter and kept getting different feedback i.e. the age gap between you and your spouse is very significant i.e. she is 20 years old, you are 35 which means additional background checks are being done on her. The last time i reached out to my MP's office, he reached out to the immigration minister's office directly and apparently he was informed that there are around 150,000 spousal sponsorship applications pending with the IRCC and it could literally take years before this backlog can be cleared. By the end of January he encouraged me to consider applying for a temporary residence visa for my wife because a lot of married couples are in the same boat and now the IRCC is beginning to become lenient and sympathetic.

I applied for the TRV visa for my wife in the first week of February and upon filing the application, it said that the expected processing time is around 433 days. Too my surprise she received her biometric letter in 2-3 days. Upon receiving the biometric letter, she completed her biometric formalities in the next 3-4 days and then 3 days later she received a Decision Made Letter where they requested her to submit her Passport to the authorities immediately. She did the needful and now within 10 days, she has received a 4 year multiple entry TRV visa.

This is a huge sigh of relief for me, my wife and the fact that after almost 16 months, we are finally going to be together and living as a proper married couple. My understanding is that the TRV visa basically works out like a Visit Visa where she can stay, live in Canada as a tourist but she can't work and she cannot study/enrol in a University either. But the positive is that atleast it will give her some time to get used to living in her new country and take things gradually. My wife wants to study and pursue Law in Canada as a career. With a TRV visa

- Will she be able to get OHIP or No? If not, then can she get private health insurance?

- Can she appear for her G1, G2 Driving test and get the license?

- Will she be allowed to open a Bank account in Canada?

- Let's say if she applies for admission in various universities n Canada and gets in, will the IRCC be willing to change her visa from TRV to Student Visa?

- Can she atleast study privately at home for exams like IELTS, TOEFL and take private French Speaking classes online or at a Centre on the TRV visa? She doesn't just want to sit at home all day being restricted

- We are both hoping that because we will now be living together in Canada as a proper married couple, the immigration authorities will treat that as a positive sign and an undisputed proof that an actual married relationship, union exists so this might actually be very good for our spousal sponsorship application

- Let's say if progress is made on her spousal sponsorship application where i receive the AOR via email, will the biometrics that she has given as part of the TRV application also be valid for the spousal sponsorship application, where they won't make her unnecessarily require her to submit her biometrics, photographs again?

- In order to process her spousal sponsorship application, will they do so while allowing her to stay in Canada on the TRV visa or will she have to exit Canada and complete all the formalities outside Canada?

- Can the number of days that she spends inside Canada on the TRV visa i.e. let's say 1 year, 2 years, can these days count towards the number of days you are required to stay in Canada after you receive your PR card (3 years) before she can apply for Canadian Citizenship

Also i will be greatful for any feedback, advice on the list of things or activities my wife can do or take part in to make the most of the time she is in Canada on the TRV visa while we wait for our spousal sponsorship application to be processed.

 

[esam99]

following...

just a question tho, u were in canada when you applied for the visit visa of your wife?

 

[Savak]

following...

just a question tho, u were in canada when you applied for the visit visa of your wife?

Yes, applied within Canada

 

[Paul09]

I submitted the Spousal Sponsorship and Permanent Residency application for my wife on March 30, 2020. Unfortunately like everyone else, because of the pandemic i have still not received any AOR in the email. I reached out to my MP a few times regarding this matter and kept getting different feedback i.e. the age gap between you and your spouse is very significant i.e. she is 20 years old, you are 35 which means additional background checks are being done on her. The last time i reached out to my MP's office, he reached out to the immigration minister's office directly and apparently he was informed that there are around 150,000 spousal sponsorship applications pending with the IRCC and it could literally take years before this backlog can be cleared. By the end of January he encouraged me to consider applying for a temporary residence visa for my wife because a lot of married couples are in the same boat and now the IRCC is beginning to become lenient and sympathetic.

I applied for the TRV visa for my wife in the first week of February and upon filing the application, it said that the expected processing time is around 433 days. Too my surprise she received her biometric letter in 2-3 days. Upon receiving the biometric letter, she completed her biometric formalities in the next 3-4 days and then 3 days later she received a Decision Made Letter where they requested her to submit her Passport to the authorities immediately. She did the needful and now within 10 days, she has received a 4 year multiple entry TRV visa.

This is a huge sigh of relief for me, my wife and the fact that after almost 16 months, we are finally going to be together and living as a proper married couple. My understanding is that the TRV visa basically works out like a Visit Visa where she can stay, live in Canada as a tourist but she can't work and she cannot study/enrol in a University either. But the positive is that atleast it will give her some time to get used to living in her new country and take things gradually. My wife wants to study and pursue Law in Canada as a career. With a TRV visa

- Will she be able to get OHIP or No? If not, then can she get private health insurance? No, but you can get private health insurance.

- Can she appear for her G1, G2 Driving test and get the license? Yes, and this will act as an ID as well.

- Will she be allowed to open a Bank account in Canada? Yes, I would recommend you to open a joint account if you can. This is important evidence of your relationship.

- Let's say if she applies for admission in various universities n Canada and gets in, will the IRCC be willing to change her visa from TRV to Student Visa? Yes

- Can she atleast study privately at home for exams like IELTS, TOEFL and take private French Speaking classes online or at a Centre on the TRV visa? She doesn't just want to sit at home all day being restricted. Yes

- We are both hoping that because we will now be living together in Canada as a proper married couple, the immigration authorities will treat that as a positive sign and an undisputed proof that an actual married relationship, union exists so this might actually be very good for our spousal sponsorship application. Along with a Bank account, you can also go ahead and put two phone lines on your account.

- Let's say if progress is made on her spousal sponsorship application where i receive the AOR via email, will the biometrics that she has given as part of the TRV application also be valid for the spousal sponsorship application, where they won't make her unnecessarily require her to submit her biometrics, photographs again? Yes, you may also get a refund of $85

- In order to process her spousal sponsorship application, will they do so while allowing her to stay in Canada on the TRV visa or will she have to exit Canada and complete all the formalities outside Canada? Currently, they are doing virtual landings. You must update her address, once she is in Canada.

- Can the number of days that she spends inside Canada on the TRV visa i.e. let's say 1 year, 2 years, can these days count towards the number of days you are required to stay in Canada after you receive your PR card (3 years) before she can apply for Canadian Citizenship. Yes.

Also i will be greatful for any feedback, advice on the list of things or activities my wife can do or take part in to make the most of the time she is in Canada on the TRV visa while we wait for our spousal sponsorship application to be processed.

Check the answers above in bold. I wish you luck, Just enjoy your time together. Congratulations. Kindly let us know what is the PA country of residence and what documents you provided for the TRV application. This may help many.

 

[nonamemike]

I submitted the Spousal Sponsorship and Permanent Residency application for my wife on March 30, 2020. Unfortunately like everyone else, because of the pandemic i have still not received any AOR in the email. I reached out to my MP a few times regarding this matter and kept getting different feedback i.e. the age gap between you and your spouse is very significant i.e. she is 20 years old, you are 35 which means additional background checks are being done on her. The last time i reached out to my MP's office, he reached out to the immigration minister's office directly and apparently he was informed that there are around 150,000 spousal sponsorship applications pending with the IRCC and it could literally take years before this backlog can be cleared. By the end of January he encouraged me to consider applying for a temporary residence visa for my wife because a lot of married couples are in the same boat and now the IRCC is beginning to become lenient and sympathetic.

I applied for the TRV visa for my wife in the first week of February and upon filing the application, it said that the expected processing time is around 433 days. Too my surprise she received her biometric letter in 2-3 days. Upon receiving the biometric letter, she completed her biometric formalities in the next 3-4 days and then 3 days later she received a Decision Made Letter where they requested her to submit her Passport to the authorities immediately. She did the needful and now within 10 days, she has received a 4 year multiple entry TRV visa.

This is a huge sigh of relief for me, my wife and the fact that after almost 16 months, we are finally going to be together and living as a proper married couple. My understanding is that the TRV visa basically works out like a Visit Visa where she can stay, live in Canada as a tourist but she can't work and she cannot study/enrol in a University either. But the positive is that atleast it will give her some time to get used to living in her new country and take things gradually. My wife wants to study and pursue Law in Canada as a career. With a TRV visa

- Will she be able to get OHIP or No? If not, then can she get private health insurance?

- Can she appear for her G1, G2 Driving test and get the license?

- Will she be allowed to open a Bank account in Canada?

- Let's say if she applies for admission in various universities n Canada and gets in, will the IRCC be willing to change her visa from TRV to Student Visa?

- Can she atleast study privately at home for exams like IELTS, TOEFL and take private French Speaking classes online or at a Centre on the TRV visa? She doesn't just want to sit at home all day being restricted

- We are both hoping that because we will now be living together in Canada as a proper married couple, the immigration authorities will treat that as a positive sign and an undisputed proof that an actual married relationship, union exists so this might actually be very good for our spousal sponsorship application

- Let's say if progress is made on her spousal sponsorship application where i receive the AOR via email, will the biometrics that she has given as part of the TRV application also be valid for the spousal sponsorship application, where they won't make her unnecessarily require her to submit her biometrics, photographs again?

- In order to process her spousal sponsorship application, will they do so while allowing her to stay in Canada on the TRV visa or will she have to exit Canada and complete all the formalities outside Canada?

- Can the number of days that she spends inside Canada on the TRV visa i.e. let's say 1 year, 2 years, can these days count towards the number of days you are required to stay in Canada after you receive your PR card (3 years) before she can apply for Canadian Citizenship

Also i will be greatful for any feedback, advice on the list of things or activities my wife can do or take part in to make the most of the time she is in Canada on the TRV visa while we wait for our spousal sponsorship application to be processed.

Congratulations. Does your wife have assets or job? Also did you mention how long she will be staying in Canada?

 

[nonamemike]

I submitted the Spousal Sponsorship and Permanent Residency application for my wife on March 30, 2020. Unfortunately like everyone else, because of the pandemic i have still not received any AOR in the email. I reached out to my MP a few times regarding this matter and kept getting different feedback i.e. the age gap between you and your spouse is very significant i.e. she is 20 years old, you are 35 which means additional background checks are being done on her. The last time i reached out to my MP's office, he reached out to the immigration minister's office directly and apparently he was informed that there are around 150,000 spousal sponsorship applications pending with the IRCC and it could literally take years before this backlog can be cleared. By the end of January he encouraged me to consider applying for a temporary residence visa for my wife because a lot of married couples are in the same boat and now the IRCC is beginning to become lenient and sympathetic.

I applied for the TRV visa for my wife in the first week of February and upon filing the application, it said that the expected processing time is around 433 days. Too my surprise she received her biometric letter in 2-3 days. Upon receiving the biometric letter, she completed her biometric formalities in the next 3-4 days and then 3 days later she received a Decision Made Letter where they requested her to submit her Passport to the authorities immediately. She did the needful and now within 10 days, she has received a 4 year multiple entry TRV visa.

This is a huge sigh of relief for me, my wife and the fact that after almost 16 months, we are finally going to be together and living as a proper married couple. My understanding is that the TRV visa basically works out like a Visit Visa where she can stay, live in Canada as a tourist but she can't work and she cannot study/enrol in a University either. But the positive is that atleast it will give her some time to get used to living in her new country and take things gradually. My wife wants to study and pursue Law in Canada as a career. With a TRV visa

- Will she be able to get OHIP or No? If not, then can she get private health insurance?

- Can she appear for her G1, G2 Driving test and get the license?

- Will she be allowed to open a Bank account in Canada?

- Let's say if she applies for admission in various universities n Canada and gets in, will the IRCC be willing to change her visa from TRV to Student Visa?

- Can she atleast study privately at home for exams like IELTS, TOEFL and take private French Speaking classes online or at a Centre on the TRV visa? She doesn't just want to sit at home all day being restricted

- We are both hoping that because we will now be living together in Canada as a proper married couple, the immigration authorities will treat that as a positive sign and an undisputed proof that an actual married relationship, union exists so this might actually be very good for our spousal sponsorship application

- Let's say if progress is made on her spousal sponsorship application where i receive the AOR via email, will the biometrics that she has given as part of the TRV application also be valid for the spousal sponsorship application, where they won't make her unnecessarily require her to submit her biometrics, photographs again?

- In order to process her spousal sponsorship application, will they do so while allowing her to stay in Canada on the TRV visa or will she have to exit Canada and complete all the formalities outside Canada?

- Can the number of days that she spends inside Canada on the TRV visa i.e. let's say 1 year, 2 years, can these days count towards the number of days you are required to stay in Canada after you receive your PR card (3 years) before she can apply for Canadian Citizenship

Also i will be greatful for any feedback, advice on the list of things or activities my wife can do or take part in to make the most of the time she is in Canada on the TRV visa while we wait for our spousal sponsorship application to be processed.

Could you please tell me documents that you showed them for visit visa. Did you use any template?

 

[Savak]

Check the answers above in bold. I wish you luck, Just enjoy your time together. Congratulations. Kindly let us know what is the PA country of residence and what documents you provided for the TRV application. This may help many.

My Wife is from Pakistan. The documents were basically pretty standard application forms that they require which you can find online. I had to specially request an emergency visa for my wife because my mother who is living with me in Canada is terminally ill and the doctors have at best given her another 6 months to live, it is my mothers wish and desire that her daughter in law i.e. my wife enjoy the pleasure of her company in whatever time she has left. My mother is in no medical or physical state to travel therefore we had to gather as many letters from the doctors, specialists we have taken her too as proof of her medical condition.

Apart from that you also have to show proof of funds i.e. you can financially support her when she is here in Canada so for that i obviously submitted my bank account statements for a full year along with a letter of employment from my employer. They will also ask her to prove that she has money herself for her own travel expenses and stay in Canada for which she submitted the joint bank account statements that i share with her.

Then you will have to write her a formal letter of invitation inviting her to come visit Canada, signed. She herself will have to write a formal letter of invitation to the IRCC explaining why she wants to come to Canada requesting them to urgently expedite the application, signed by her. Then you will have to submit proof of marriage relationship and for this purpose you can submit your marriage certificate, license, religious documentation prooving you are married. I believe i had to submit her birth certificate as well.

You will have to submit a copy of her passport, her photographs. Finally you need to pay $185 for the entire application process

 

[Savak]

Congratulations. Does your wife have assets or job? Also did you mention how long she will be staying in Canada?

The only assets she has is the joint bank account she shares with me back in Pakistan and her own private bank account which her parents send her money too. I believe she can only stay in Canada for 6 months at a time so that's what we mentioned in the application.

 

[armoured]

The only assets she has is the joint bank account she shares with me back in Pakistan and her own private bank account which her parents send her money too. I believe she can only stay in Canada for 6 months at a time so that's what we mentioned in the application.

That is the correct way to indicate. She can later apply to extend her stay.

 

[armoured]

I submitted the Spousal Sponsorship and Permanent Residency application for my wife on March 30, 2020. Unfortunately like everyone else, because of the pandemic i have still not received any AOR in the email. I reached out to my MP a few times regarding this matter and kept getting different feedback i.e. the age gap between you and your spouse is very significant i.e. she is 20 years old, you are 35 which means additional background checks are being done on her.

I presume this was your MP's staff - while all these factors may be a reason for processing to take longer, they should not be reasons why it takes longer to get AOR.

Have you called in to IRCC telephone line and seen if there is a temporary file number? If not, frankly, I'd consider applying again - that is so long that it is either lost or deeply buried somewhere. If you do (once she arrives in Canada) you could apply inland and for the open work permit.

The last time i reached out to my MP's office, he reached out to the immigration minister's office directly and apparently he was informed that there are around 150,000 spousal sponsorship applications pending with the IRCC and it could literally take years before this backlog can be cleared. By the end of January he encouraged me to consider applying for a temporary residence visa for my wife because a lot of married couples are in the same boat and now the IRCC is beginning to become lenient and sympathetic.

This info and your experience is really useful to share. And congrats on getting the TRV for her.

- Can she atleast study privately at home for exams like IELTS, TOEFL and take private French Speaking classes online or at a Centre on the TRV visa? She doesn't just want to sit at home all day being restricted

You will need to check the rules but I believe I saw from others here that courses of study less than six months are fine. There are lots of local night school / community college things provided, some just weeks of study. Language training too. All of these can be a good way to get integrated and start getting comfortable.

 

[Savak]

I filled out the webform but unfortunately the IRCC responded to me via email a month later stating that while i was the sponsor, because we hadn't filled out the Use a representative form specifying me as the representative, they couldn't share any more information with me regarding my application. They advised me to get my wife to fill out and sign the use the representative form specifying me as her representative and then she needed to submit the signed form to the IRCC via webform.

 

[Savak]

I presume this was your MP's staff - while all these factors may be a reason for processing to take longer, they should not be reasons why it takes longer to get AOR.

Have you called in to IRCC telephone line and seen if there is a temporary file number? If not, frankly, I'd consider applying again - that is so long that it is either lost or deeply buried somewhere. If you do (once she arrives in Canada) you could apply inland and for the open work permit.



This info and your experience is really useful to share. And congrats on getting the TRV for her.



You will need to check the rules but I believe I saw from others here that courses of study less than six months are fine. There are lots of local night school / community college things provided, some just weeks of study. Language training too. All of these can be a good way to get integrated and start getting comfortable.

I have a temporary application number. We tried very hard via my MP to reach out to the Minister of Immigration's office and put in a compassionate plea to expedite my wife's spousal application given my mothers health but the office responded to us that the que is what it is and no one was going to be fast tracked but they advised us to apply for my wife via the TRV route.

 

[armoured]

I have a temporary application number. We tried very hard via my MP to reach out to the Minister of Immigration's office and put in a compassionate plea to expedite my wife's spousal application given my mothers health but the office responded to us that the que is what it is and no one was going to be fast tracked but they advised us to apply for my wife via the TRV route.

Well it's odd - at least it's not 'lost' per se but still, there should be no reason for AOR to take so long. I presume the temp number means they have at least scanned it but I'm not certain. Anyway, once in Canada, you can decide what to do. It may be easier to re-apply but who knows?

Once in Canada make sure to update her address on her PR app.

On things to do for your spouse: also check at churches/religious centres, community centres, YMCA, etc - most will have some info on local activities, courses, volunteering, etc. Some of these might just be once a week things or just a few days at a time - and many will not care at all what her status is.

 

[armoured]

On things to do for your spouse: also check at churches/religious centres, community centres, YMCA, etc - most will have some info on local activities, courses, volunteering, etc. Some of these might just be once a week things or just a few days at a time - and many will not care at all what her status is.

Ah I should add to this list: the public libraries have lots of activities. At least in some cities, the public libraries are VERY active and have tried to do a lot/add resources during covid.

 

[esam99]

I have a temporary application number. We tried very hard via my MP to reach out to the Minister of Immigration's office and put in a compassionate plea to expedite my wife's spousal application given my mothers health but the office responded to us that the que is what it is and no one was going to be fast tracked but they advised us to apply for my wife via the TRV route.

if u have a temp. file number it should mean the application is received in Sydney