Canadian moving to Canada with U.S. Citizen wife - Inland or outland

[bcass231]

Hi all,

I am a Canadian moving back to Canada with my American wife and we are planning her permanent residency application. Based on what I have read, outland applications are supposed to be quicker (posts as recent as Jan 2015 state 3-7 months for processing). However, the current online CIC processing times, state 55 days to assess the sponsor and 16 MONTHS for assessment of applicant - has things slowed down incredibly or is this not accurate? It seems to be a smarter plan to do the inland application, which is slightly longer (26 months), but the applicant is eligible for an open work permit within 4 months of the application.

Any insight into this is greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time.

 

[bcass231]

I also wanted to clarify that the 16 month processing time for assessment of applicant is based in Ottawa, where U.S. citizens will be processed. Thanks!

 

[Johninsask]

The conventional wisdom is that US citizens who apply via Outland are landed immigrants within one year, often within 8 months. Your wife's results may vary, depending on the variables of your application.

If my sponsor and I did not have a child about to enter the world I would have applied via Outland FOR SURE. So unless your wife needs to be working within 4 or 5 months, I wouldn't bother applying Inland. Presently an Inland application can take 26 months from start to finish. I suspect this will be reduced if an NDP gov't is elected in October, but that's a big IF and I wouldn't count on it. Also note: you and your wife can apply Outland and live in Canada. Weird but true... just make sure her visitor status remains current during the duration of the application.

 

[Amalthea]

It's currently taking 8-10 months for straightforward apps via Ottawa. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18NpCwiqXpOUdH3hN-f4J2gJ7T_-B97WoK3vlQMNKjAM/edit#gid=0

I would suggest applying Outland, as the OWP pilot is just that - a pilot, and they are kinda all over the place as far as OWPs go for new applicants. Some have received them in 4 months, some have not. You could be completely done with an Outland app by the time you recvd your OWP. Also, with Outland you have the freedom to travel, and you don't forfeit your right to an appeal like you do w/ Inland.

Ottawa is currently finishing up September and starting on October applicants, but we saw several January applicants receive DM this month, and 2 in March. We aren't sure why, but it seems to be a good thing, perhaps 2015 will be processed faster.

Sometimes Outland apps are held in Mississauga and approved in 2-3 months flat. This is rarer but it does happen and we aren't sure why.

 

[keesio]

I also wanted to clarify that the 16 month processing time for assessment of applicant is based in Ottawa, where U.S. citizens will be processed. Thanks!

As other have already mentioned, most US citizens with no major issues get their applications processed in 8-10 months these days. The 16 months you see is an average for most application handled by Ottawa. Ottawa handles applications from other countries besides the USA too. It is those applications that skew the average up, in addition to any applications with major issues (like criminality issues, etc) that take extra time.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

The 16 months you see is an average for most application handled by Ottawa.

The 16 months posted processing time is NOT an average. It is how long it took to process 80% of applications, which means that 79% are processed faster than that.

See here for the government datatset on processing times http://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/427337d0-7c36-4fed-8428-c6a63f8c19b3. It currently covers up to Dec 2014 and show that spousal apps in Ottawa have a 50% processing time of 9 months. That may have increased a month or so since Dec 2014 but the actual average is still less than a year.

 

[mercyofGod]

I also wanted to clarify that the 16 month processing time for assessment of applicant is based in Ottawa, where U.S. citizens will be processed. Thanks!

Outland is the fastest, l will suggest you go for that

 

[brunoc19]

I am planning to submit the application too. I wonder if i need some sort of income requirement. I am a grad school student in Canada. I only have 20k funding every year and some rental income.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

I am planning to submit the application too. I wonder if i need some sort of income requirement. I am a grad school student in Canada. I only have 20k funding every year and some rental income.

There is no minimum income requirement. You need to show CIC that you can support yourselves without welfare. This can be through any combination of savings, income, family assistance etc.