Applying for a visitor visa online while awaiting restoration of status

[alicia13]

I am cross-posting my query from the Temporary category in hope of receiving some input:


I am from a visa-exempt country, I was on implied status but my Inland application was returned to me due to an outdated form so I lost implied status. My work permit had in the meantime expired. I was still within 90 days of it expiring therefore I applied for restoration of status. I also resubmitted my PR application, Outland Family Class this time.
Here is my question: can I apply for a visitor visa online (through the London High Commission) before I receive an answer on the restoration? My husband and I will be travelling to a family event back in Ireland in September and I know I could just wait until border reentry and ask for a visitor visa then but I would prefer to be rejected online while I am still in Canada rather than at the border after I have left already. I saw on other posts that it is possible to apply online even if you are visa-exempt.
Does anyone know whether my in process restoration would affect this visitor visa or not? Like would they reject my application because a verdict hasn't been reached on the restoration yet?

Thanks so much in advance

 

[lellen]

Hmm I don't know much about this, perhaps someone else could verify, but I think that if you leave the country while your restoration of status is being processed you "forfeit" the application. I don't know how it works for you but I do know that for someone who is NOT visa exempt, if they leave the country they need to re-apply from their home country's VO. I waited four months for my restoration of status to come through, and I couldn't leave the country that whole time.

I have also been waiting for a visitor visa extension for 41 days, so don't trust the processing times on the website at all.

I think that because you're Visa exempt, things might be different for you and you may be able to just apply for things at the border. I'm sure senior members will help out.

 

[alicia13]

Hmm I don't know much about this, perhaps someone else could verify, but I think that if you leave the country while your restoration of status is being processed you "forfeit" the application. I don't know how it works for you but I do know that for someone who is NOT visa exempt, if they leave the country they need to re-apply from their home country's VO. I waited four months for my restoration of status to come through, and I couldn't leave the country that whole time.

I have also been waiting for a visitor visa extension for 41 days, so don't trust the processing times on the website at all.

I think that because you're Visa exempt, things might be different for you and you may be able to just apply for things at the border. I'm sure senior members will help out.

Thanks for your reply!
I wouldn't even mind losing my restoration application if it would be replaced with a visitor's visa, technically I would still have maintained my status I think?
London VO visitor visa processing time is showing 7 days probably because everyone who is visa-exempt just waits until they arrive at the border to request a visitor's visa? I just would prefer to have it BEFORE I leave in case I do encounter a border agent who for some reason would not allow me entry on the way back.

I'm going to call CIC (even though their call centre agents seem to be a lot less knowledgeable than some forum members here!)

 

[lellen]

London VO visitor visa processing time is showing 7 days probably because everyone who is visa-exempt just waits until they arrive at the border to request a visitor's visa? I just would prefer to have it BEFORE I leave in case I do encounter a border agent who for some reason would not allow me entry on the way back.

Okay I see what you're saying, just keep in mind that if you apply in Canada you won't be doing it through London's VO, you'll be doing it online here and even though the processing times currently say 25 days, I have been waiting for 41 and there was another member who waited more than 40 days.

I think you're talking about a visitor record, right? Since you don't actually "need" a Visa. I am talking about visitor record.

 

[rhcohen2014]

i don't understand how a visa exempt person can obtain a visitor's visa? i would imagine the application would be denied because the applicant is visa exempt. Visa exempt applicant's don't receive visas at the border, they are allowed in with just the use of their passport.

i am confused as to what you are attempting to do? are you concern about being let back in after submitting an outland app? if so, don't be. For outland, when you are visa exempt, they will look up your information in the system to confirm your application is received and let you in. if it hasn't been entered into the system before you cross, they are usually happy with proof of payment for fees, and will still let you in.

 

[rhcohen2014]

I think you're talking about a visitor record, right? Since you don't actually "need" a Visa. I am talking about visitor record.

if this is in fact what alicia is referring to, i do not recommend going to the border and "asking" for a visitor's record. it is absolutely NOT necessary to do to be able to stay in canada during processing. Asking for a visitor's record is equivalent to asking CBSA to put you on their radar and track your stay. i don't understand why anyone would ever want to do that when they can just enter freely without being put into the system and tracked.

 

[Rob_TO]

Visa exempt people can NOT apply for visitor visas.

Once you leave the country, any visitor status you were currently on, ends. And any applications you had in process to extend/restore status, also end.

When you return to Canada later, it will be a new entry into Canada, and CBSA will grant you new visitor status accordingly. As long as you bring proof of outland app in progress, there should be no problems to enter.

 

[alicia13]

i don't understand how a visa exempt person can obtain a visitor's visa? i would imagine the application would be denied because the applicant is visa exempt. Visa exempt applicant's don't receive visas at the border, they are allowed in with just the use of their passport.

i am confused as to what you are attempting to do? are you concern about being let back in after submitting an outland app? if so, don't be. For outland, when you are visa exempt, they will look up your information in the system to confirm your application is received and let you in. if it hasn't been entered into the system before you cross, they are usually happy with proof of payment for fees, and will still let you in.

Visa exempt people can NOT apply for visitor visas.

Once you leave the country, any visitor status you were currently on, ends. And any applications you had in process to extend/restore status, also end.

When you return to Canada later, it will be a new entry into Canada, and CBSA will grant you new visitor status accordingly. As long as you bring proof of outland app in progress, there should be no problems to enter.

Ok, I see my error now, I thought that being visa-exempt means that you get "issued a visitor visa" at the border, I didn't realize that it actually means that you don't need one at all. Yes I was trying to bypass any incident at the border but I will just make sure I have all my PR paperwork and receipts. My Canadian husband and Canadian-born infant son will be with me too so hopefully they won't have any grounds to give me a hard time.

Thank you all for your patience!

 

[Skyline29]

Don't know which to apply, please help / advice me, thanks



Good day to every one
I'm a caregiver here in Toronto Ontario canada , married last September 2013 to a Canadian ,
may husband sponsor me together with my Open work permit we submit application on January 2014 but they return it February because one of form is updated then we sent back February also. Then im waiting for my Open permit so by April I called them asking about my OWP they told to me that they will process that when 1st approval stages of sponsorship so shock, I told to them my work permit will expired on may 2014 so what I will do , do I need to apply work permit extension, the agent that I talk in immigration told me no need, how bout my work I said, u can still work as long as same employer, ur status will be implied. So now the immigration sent back may Application of open work permit because it's say that I own them 5$ the fee for processing is increase 5$, when I pay the fee still 150$ but in february when they receive the application it's 155$, they didn't told me bout it, now they told me that I will say pay the 155$ then refund the 150$ but u will submit the application of open permit when u receive ur 1st approval from immigration but now that ur OWP resent back to u it means that u don't have implied status so u need to get status with in 90 days (starting in ur work permit expired ) here in canada work permit or visitor visa to remain in canada , if u decide to get work permit u need to get new LMO & restoration of status

I'm here at canada 2010 February as caregiver so it means I'm here 4years already.
My work permit expired may 2013 , if the 90 days count the expired day so it means I still have couple of days of August.
I don't have Ohip now too, now that I really need it because I'm 3months pregnant so we need to pay everything doctor appointment & laboratory , so I'm really hoping to get status & apply in Ohip .

My question is can my same employer still apply my new LMO even I'm here at canada 4year now & get work permit ?

Or do I need to apply the visitor visa for more faster , is the visitor can apply Ohip card?

Can u please advice me what I'm gonna do, thanks u very much
God bless