I thought I should share my story here, for the fact that it may benefit someone.
In a gist, I applied and received TRV-Visitor to Canada while being on Visitor Status (B1/B2) in the US. Later, I arrived in Canada on visitor status and applied for PR. I remained in Canada on visitor status for the entire 6 months and slightly over, till I received my PPR. (I applied for visitor extension a week before my 6 month stay expired)
It was a difficult time, emotionally, due to the uncertainty of my conditions in terms of visa status etc.
This is how it all started. I was working in the US on L1 visa. Due to unfortunate events at the workplace, I was let go off my job. I didn't want to return to India and looked upon Canada/Express Entry to remain in North America.
At the time, I couldn't stay in the US longer than 2-3 weeks since I would lose resident status (L1) as soon as I stopped getting paid. I had to exit US for a day and re-enter on my US visitor visa. (You can get visa-on-arrival in Mexico if you have any valid US visa on your passport, read about it)
I was granted a stay for 100 days upon re-entering USA on visitor visa. I used that time to apply online for Canada TRV-Visitor (sent passport to New York office), applied for US FBI PCC and also received my ITA. Once I received ITA I decided to fly to Canada. I was granted 6 month stay upon arrival in Canada (maximum stay per entry on Visit visa). The 6 month grant is not guaranteed, it was Gods' blessing that the immigration officer granted me the whole 6 months. I had a back up plan to apply for extension if I didn't get 6 months upon first entry.
Even before I lost my employment, I had plans to immigrate to Canada. Hence I already had a head-start in preparing for documents. I had my ECA in process. Fortunately I had even appeared for IELTS the weekend before I lost my job.
While being on visitor status in Canada, I got my medicals done. The CIC designated doctors' office just needs a copy of your passport and ITA.
After the medicals, I waited a while (around 10 days) to receive some pending documents (US FBI PCC and bank statements) and then submitted my application online and received AOR.
I kept following this forum during these 6 months of waiting, and I have to say that this forum is a blessing! It really does keep people positive and going. I didn't use any representative or other legal services. I just followed directions as on CIC website and read extensively through threads in the forum. While going through all the threads in the forum I realized I belonged to a minority group of applicants (FSW Inland with NOC code 0601), but I had faith in my God. It took a lot of patience and waiting and finally after 6 whole months, I got my PPR on September 08, 2016.
Needless to say, I was not employed during my entire stay in Canada as a visitor. This option of living without an income might not work out for everyone, but I decided I didn't want to spend another 2-3 years in India trying to start a life, only to have to leave it and immigrate to Canada after getting PR.
Good luck to all those who plan to apply or have applied and are waiting. Having read my story above, you know it is possible, if you do your due diligence and get all your paper work done right, just as stated on www.cic.gc.ca
Some additional info, I applied for GCMS notes 7 times during my 6 month wait. I applied under Privacy Act since I was living in Canada. I believe applying for GCMS notes has no adverse effect on your PR application. It is your right to ask for your information.
Please do not take any steps towards your application just based on my story. Each individual case is different, so please call/write to check with CIC, or VFS Global etc. when you need to apply for any visa.
In a gist, I applied and received TRV-Visitor to Canada while being on Visitor Status (B1/B2) in the US. Later, I arrived in Canada on visitor status and applied for PR. I remained in Canada on visitor status for the entire 6 months and slightly over, till I received my PPR. (I applied for visitor extension a week before my 6 month stay expired)
It was a difficult time, emotionally, due to the uncertainty of my conditions in terms of visa status etc.
This is how it all started. I was working in the US on L1 visa. Due to unfortunate events at the workplace, I was let go off my job. I didn't want to return to India and looked upon Canada/Express Entry to remain in North America.
At the time, I couldn't stay in the US longer than 2-3 weeks since I would lose resident status (L1) as soon as I stopped getting paid. I had to exit US for a day and re-enter on my US visitor visa. (You can get visa-on-arrival in Mexico if you have any valid US visa on your passport, read about it)
I was granted a stay for 100 days upon re-entering USA on visitor visa. I used that time to apply online for Canada TRV-Visitor (sent passport to New York office), applied for US FBI PCC and also received my ITA. Once I received ITA I decided to fly to Canada. I was granted 6 month stay upon arrival in Canada (maximum stay per entry on Visit visa). The 6 month grant is not guaranteed, it was Gods' blessing that the immigration officer granted me the whole 6 months. I had a back up plan to apply for extension if I didn't get 6 months upon first entry.
Even before I lost my employment, I had plans to immigrate to Canada. Hence I already had a head-start in preparing for documents. I had my ECA in process. Fortunately I had even appeared for IELTS the weekend before I lost my job.
While being on visitor status in Canada, I got my medicals done. The CIC designated doctors' office just needs a copy of your passport and ITA.
After the medicals, I waited a while (around 10 days) to receive some pending documents (US FBI PCC and bank statements) and then submitted my application online and received AOR.
I kept following this forum during these 6 months of waiting, and I have to say that this forum is a blessing! It really does keep people positive and going. I didn't use any representative or other legal services. I just followed directions as on CIC website and read extensively through threads in the forum. While going through all the threads in the forum I realized I belonged to a minority group of applicants (FSW Inland with NOC code 0601), but I had faith in my God. It took a lot of patience and waiting and finally after 6 whole months, I got my PPR on September 08, 2016.
Needless to say, I was not employed during my entire stay in Canada as a visitor. This option of living without an income might not work out for everyone, but I decided I didn't want to spend another 2-3 years in India trying to start a life, only to have to leave it and immigrate to Canada after getting PR.
Good luck to all those who plan to apply or have applied and are waiting. Having read my story above, you know it is possible, if you do your due diligence and get all your paper work done right, just as stated on www.cic.gc.ca
Some additional info, I applied for GCMS notes 7 times during my 6 month wait. I applied under Privacy Act since I was living in Canada. I believe applying for GCMS notes has no adverse effect on your PR application. It is your right to ask for your information.
Please do not take any steps towards your application just based on my story. Each individual case is different, so please call/write to check with CIC, or VFS Global etc. when you need to apply for any visa.
