App for PR inside or outside Canada?

[Benni]

I've done tons of research on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada site but still have questions galore.

But one at a time so I don't get overwhelmed with so much info at one time.

I'm an American marrying a Canadian citizen this Spring. After the marriage, we are applying for Permanent Residency for me under the Family Class/Spouse option.
My question is:

If we apply within Canada, can I still fly back to the states for occasional visits during the process?

In reverse, if we apply outside Canada, can I still fly up to visit him occasionally?

Thank you for any help you can give me.

 

[Jellyfishy]

It's not advised to leave Canada if you are applying from inside Canada, while some people do it just fine others have been stopped on the way back and not been allowed to re-enter. You risk your whole application.

If you apply outland you can still be allowed to visit Canada but it will be at the discretion of the immigration officer at the border, however you don't risk your whole application by trying to enter the country even if they say no.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

I'm an American marrying a Canadian citizen this Spring. After the marriage, we are applying for Permanent Residency for me under the Family Class/Spouse option.
My question is:

If we apply within Canada, can I still fly back to the states for occasional visits during the process?

In reverse, if we apply outside Canada, can I still fly up to visit him occasionally?

As an American, there is pretty much no advantage for you to apply inland. Outland is preferable. You are allowed to be in Canada and submit an outland app, just keep in mind that you will have to maintain your status in Canada by extending your stay.

If you file outland and stay in the US during processing, you should be fine to come visit occasionally.

 

[sounion]

The benefits of Inland are that you can work in Canada after you receive your first stage approval (if you submit an Open Work Permit with your inland app). The downside is it takes longer than outland, and you can't leave the country. Just depends on your circumstances.

For my wife (Canadian) and I (American), we chose to do Inland, as the pay in Canada is WAY higher for an educator (both of us are teachers). That being said, she is working and I am the stay-at-home dad. It's all what works for you two.

Good luck!

 

[Rob_TO]

The benefits of Inland are that you can work in Canada after you receive your first stage approval (if you submit an Open Work Permit with your inland app).

Going by the recent posts in the CPP-Ottawa thread (where most outland US apps are processed), most people are seeing times for total PR approval and getting their COPR in less time than it takes for just stage 1 of inland (11 months).

I think outland should be the overwhelming choice these days for US applicants.

 

[sounion]

Going by the recent posts in the CPP-Ottawa thread (where most outland US apps are processed), most people are seeing times for total PR approval and getting their COPR in less time than it takes for just stage 1 of inland (11 months).

I think outland should be the overwhelming choice these days for US applicants.

This is true! When we submitted our app, stage 1 was a 6 month wait. We were the lucky ones who got to watch it skyrocket to 11 months. I have to side with Rob_TO here.

 

[chala]

I would have to agree with the other folks that outland is much faster and more practical for US applicants for Permanent Residence.

 

[Benni]

Thank you so much for your quick replies! I must say -- I read the sticky on this subject after I posted so I'm embarrassed that I bothered y'all.
But your replies were even more helpful.

The way it stands now..... I will fly there to B's, get married and stay a couple months. Then fly back here, to Texas, and start the process.
Then I'll fly back up there for a while and so on.

Thank you!!!

 

[Benni]

By the way, someone advised me to hire an immigration lawyer. Is that really necessary?

 

[sounion]

By the way, someone advised me to hire an immigration lawyer. Is that really necessary?

Most definitely not, so long as your case if rather straightforward. You just need to take the time to read the application materials closely, and pose questions to people here. As you are American marrying a Canadian, you have a very clean and tidy case. I would advise against a lawyer, they cost a lot of money and you won't have as much in-depth knowledge of your app or the process as you would if you did it yourself. Save some bucks

 

[DuberBlue]

Most definitely not, so long as your case if rather straightforward. You just need to take the time to read the application materials closely, and pose questions to people here. As you are American marrying a Canadian, you have a very clean and tidy case. I would advise against a lawyer, they cost a lot of money and you won't have as much in-depth knowledge of your app or the process as you would if you did it yourself. Save some bucks

I second this. I almost went the lawyer route only because I was initially cowed by the process...my brain is too ADD to be able to sit down and calmly digest everything the CIC threw at me. But I forced myself to read meticulously through it all and did it myself.

The info IS all there, and they give you the checklist of what is needed, both in the sponsorship package, and in the applicant package. Just get your FBI check and I'd STRONGLY advise an up-front medical exam, and then you're off to the races. Make sure your husband gets that Option C from Revenue Canada as well.

 

[Benni]

Just get your FBI check and I'd STRONGLY advise an up-front medical exam, and then you're off to the races. Make sure your husband gets that Option C from Revenue Canada as well.

On the CIC site, they give you a short list of docs to go to in your area. It's my impression that I had no choice other than those on the list.

Option C from Revenue Canada -- Never heard of that. Explain please?

 

[DuberBlue]

On the CIC site, they give you a short list of docs to go to in your area. It's my impression that I had no choice other than those on the list.

That's right. Your medical can ONLY be performed by one on their list.

Option C from Revenue Canada -- Never heard of that. Explain please?

The Option C is a form your sponsor can request from Revenue Canada (a phone call to them does the trick)...it's basically a summary of their tax filing info for the previous year. It's one of the main things the CIC will use to determine the financial situation of your sponsor.

 

[jenny12345]

Outland for sure as you can come in and out of Canada and I bet the processing time will be shorter

 

[screech339]

By the way, someone advised me to hire an immigration lawyer. Is that really necessary?

Getting a lawyer is usually taken by those that have issues that can raise red flags in CIC's eyes. If you have a clean record, nothing unusal about your relationship, then a lawyer is a waste of your time and especially money.

Screech339