Change.org Petition for Inland Applicants( Please sign)

[sunshinemrc]

You are probably not a part of us so its easy for you to accuse us anything you want, seeing foreign spouses as someone who come to take advantage of your wonderful country. But it is not their fault to fall in love with Canadian partners while staying in here.
All we ask for is foreign spouses given a legal right to work to help Canadian spouses sooner and for a more reasonable processing time. We do not ask for any special treatment. And if the foreign spouses work and pay taxes, of courses they should be entitled to health coverage, driver license, etc as any other legal resident here! And CIC can take whatever amount of time it needs to investigate these people! If later they can be accused of frauds or inadmissibility then it never too late to kick them out. The majority (over 90%) will become immigrants. To punish the less than 10%, CIC imposes unfair treatment to all, imprison all inland spouses at home to be useless people for almost a year (the fastest), or 3-4 years (if there is interview).

Yes, thats how Canada your wonderful country does to foreign spouses of Canadians!!!

I can only advise you to go home and apply OUTLAND.

How fair do you think your petition is to those who apply outland, often spouses from non visa exempt countries cannot even get a visit visa, and more often than not in those countries unemployment is very high therefore a lot of times spouses apply outland because they are forced to do so, and still stay unemployed in their own country while waiting sometimes up to 2 years for the ability to even step foot in Canada. And the one spouse who does work in Canada, stays here alone, often pregnant or with small children, on one income, and still is required to travel to foreign country to visit the spouse, spending thousands of dollars, all just to ensure that the Outland application will get approved (as it happens if a Canadian spouse does not travel back to the country where the spouse (principal applicant is) the outland application is deemed to fail and be rejected by CIC. So don't start preaching me what is right and what is not.

 

[keesio]

In my case, staying at home and cannot do anything makes me feel useless, depress and have low self-esteem. If there is any way we can make the process way faster, then that makes a difference.

My wife landed last year. Because of her profession (health care), she cannot work in her field until she gets her license to practice here. That takes several exams in additional to accreditation courses. She initially had a hard time not working because she wanted to contribute financially and also because she is used to being independent. I told her not to worry and enjoy the free time she has while she has it! So she fills her time studying, volunteering and exploring. She feel much better about things (though the exams stress her out).

 

[Carlaganda23]

I can only imagine how you feel. I agree with Ponga, the whole system needs an overhaul. It is a frustrating process for everyone, and every couple that has been through immigration has their own story to tell.

We're all just trying to keep sane and hope that when everything will be over, we'll shake it off and have a laugh about it.

Thanks avadava,

Yeah, I hope this tedious and stressful process will be over and get on with our lives!

Thank you

 

[Carlaganda23]

My wife landed last year. Because of her profession (health care), she cannot work in her field until she gets her license to practice here. That takes several exams in additional to accreditation courses. She initially had a hard time not working because she wanted to contribute financially and also because she is used to being independent. I told her not to worry and enjoy the free time she has while she has it! So she fills her time studying, volunteering and exploring. She feel much better about things (though the exams stress her out).

Hi Keesio,

I'm in Health Care too and just passed the Canadian Exam for Nurses last year.
And now, I cannot work because there is no LMO available. So frustrating! I am very depressed. And I just submitted our application last February. There are 6 months or more to wait...

 

[screech339]

Processing time is just a part of this petition. Open Work Permit and maintaining resident status are two bigger parts. Since they are already here, why give them a hard time?

Under current immigration policy, applicants applying for immigration to Canada under economic streams such as Provincial Nomination or Canadian Experience Class only need AOR to apply for Open Work Permit (or extension) while waiting for their files to be finalized. The live-in caregivers are also issued Open Work Permit as soon as they file their PR applications. Foreign spouses of Study Permit and Work Permit holders are eligible for Open Work Permit and health coverage without any restriction. Effective June 1 2014, international students studying at post-secondary level will automatically be allowed to work in Canada without a work permit. It is very unreasonable that foreign spouses of Canadian citizens and permanent residents are excluded from this very basic right. We are asking the government to review the program policy and give the same right to work to foreign spouses that have received AOR to make it more compatible with other immigration streams.

So basically you want the 1st stage reached in a month like the outland just so you can get AIP and be able to work. Rather unfair to those who are on outland, don't you think?

You have to remember that spousal PR is a completely different type of immigration over the other type of visas you mentioned. The other type of visas you mentioned are all temporary visas. Not permanent visas so you can't lump the spousal PR with them.

 

[Carlaganda23]

Just ignore

I wish you best of luck and be able to start working in Canada to support your partner asap.

Thanks civic,

I hope i can work soon too and your partner as well...

 

[civic]

So basically you want the 1st stage reached in a month like the outland just so you can get AIP and be able to work. Rather unfair to those who are on outland, don't you think?

Again. While we understand the frustration of people who have no choice but to apply outland, We need to speak up for our spouses that are already living here in Canada with us. If we can do anything to make the entire system better, we would. But there are things we can and cannot ask the government to do.

Since our spouses are already here, please understand that they want to work and we need their helps with finances too. We are only asking for the right CIC already gave to the foreign spouses of people in other immigration streams. And we are sorry that outland spouses are experiencing both delay and being apart from their loved ones in Canada.

And because our spouses are here, we just want CIC to give them a legal immigration status such as open work permit so they can apply for driver license, health coverage, and not worried about being kicked out by CBSA at anytime. Implied status is a verbal assurance, there is nothing official to validate that status and our spouses live in limbo too. It is very difficult for people to live that way in Canada.

Other countries have already done so. We are not trying to be creative or anything

 

[Carlaganda23]

So basically you want the 1st stage reached in a month like the outland just so you can get AIP and be able to work. Rather unfair to those who are on outland, don't you think?

I understand what you meant Screech. This immigration processing is a nightmare both inland and Outland...

In United Kingdom, my friend was able to work after a month they sent the application. It's just a work permit and the Permanent Resident comes after 2 yrs, both the Sponsor and Applicant need to live together to be able to get the Permanent Resident.
If they're separated within 2 yrs, then the PR will not be granted which is the same as here as Conditional PR.

 

[Gaymer]

I find it ridiculous that a simple petition that was made with good intentions sparks arguments about how Outland people can have it worse or are suffering just as much. Instead of telling others they had a choice between the two or the harsh realities of Outlanders, why not better use that time to do something about it? Fighting amongst ourselves isn't going to solve anything or make the process easier.

 

[screech339]

I understand the frustration you are going through. We took the inland approach knowing full well that my wife would have to wait at least 6 months before being able to work through OWP if she chose to. We could have filed outland but the timeline was roughly the same as inland so why bother applying for outland. That was our decision. The only bonus between the 2 choices was that my wife is with me with our kids and that the option for her to work was there. If we chose the outland route, she would never be able to work or get implied status. Nothing only to extend the visa and hope for the best that that we get an extension.

It seems to me that those waiting for 1st stage during inland wants to have their cake and eat it too. Sorry I made my decisions based on what options I had at the time of submitting my wife's application. I did not want to go around telling CIC what to do because it is not working out the way I wanted. I made my choice and accepted the consequences of my actions.

It is rather unfair that my wife was stuck in Canada away from her family because she choose the inland approach and she accepted it.

 

[Carlaganda23]

I find it ridiculous that a simple petition that was made with good intentions sparks arguments about how Outland people can have it worse or are suffering just as much. Instead of telling others they had a choice between the two or the harsh realities of Outlanders, why not better use that time to do something about it? Fighting amongst ourselves isn't going to solve anything or make the process easier.

I guess everyone are entitled to their own personal opinions and yes I agree with you. If we can do something about this faster processing...then that will be great.
If it's not successful, atleast we've tried...

 

[alicia13]

I understand the frustration you are going through. We took the inland approach knowing full well that my wife would have to wait at least 6 months before being able to work through OWP if she chose to. We could have filed outland but the timeline was roughly the same as inland so why bother applying for outland. That was our decision. The only bonus between the 2 choices was that my wife is with me with our kids and that the option for her to work was there. If we chose the outland route, she would never be able to work or get implied status. Nothing only to extend the visa and hope for the best that that we get an extension.

It seems to me that those waiting for 1st stage during inland wants to have their cake and eat it too. Sorry I made my decisions based on what options I had at the time of submitting my wife's application. I did not want to go around telling CIC what to do because it is not working out the way I wanted. I made my choice and accepted the consequences of my actions.

It is rather unfair that my wife was stuck in Canada away from her family because she choose the inland approach and she accepted it.

Screech I strongly agree with you.
I am also an inland applicant waiting for AIP but this was a conscious decision that my husband and I made when we filed our application, knowing well that during these months I would not be have status, a work permit or healthcare but it entitles us to live together which is a luxury that a lot of outland applicants do not have.
In my opinion, immigrating to Canada is a PRIVILEGE, no one owes me PR and being out of status for a few months is a small price to pay to eventually have PERMANENT residency in a country like Canada.
In the long run I think it's well worth it and I don't see the point in trying to petition the government to change an entire system. There is a reason that they take due time and caution in processing each application and there are different immigration channels that have it so much worse.
I do understand other applicants frustration but honestly I see this petition as a little unrealistic...we all knew what we were getting ourselves into! And delays of some sort should be anticipated as a possibility as well.

Carla I really do not mean any offence, I know that you are just trying to do whatever you can!

 

[Carlaganda23]

Screech I strongly agree with you.
I am also an inland applicant waiting for AIP but this was a conscious decision that my husband and I made when we filed our application, knowing well that during these months I would not be have status, a work permit or healthcare but it entitles us to live together which is a luxury that a lot of outland applicants do not have.
In my opinion, immigrating to Canada is a PRIVILEGE, no one owes me PR and being out of status for a few months is a small price to pay to eventually have PERMANENT residency in a country like Canada.
In the long run I think it's well worth it and I don't see the point in trying to petition the government to change an entire system. There is a reason that they take due time and caution in processing each application and there are different immigration channels that have it so much worse.
I do understand other applicants frustration but honestly I see this petition as a little unrealistic...we all knew what we were getting ourselves into! And delays of some sort should be anticipated as a possibility as well.

Carla I really do not mean any offence, I know that you are just trying to do whatever you can!

I'm all good Alicia, no offence to me whatsoever. Atleast we/I tried. Whatever the outcome, I just got on with it

 

[todare]

I can only advise you to go home and apply OUTLAND.

How fair do you think your petition is to those who apply outland, often spouses from non visa exempt countries cannot even get a visit visa, and more often than not in those countries unemployment is very high therefore a lot of times spouses apply outland because they are forced to do so, and still stay unemployed in their own country while waiting sometimes up to 2 years for the ability to even step foot in Canada. And the one spouse who does work in Canada, stays here alone, often pregnant or with small children, on one income, and still is required to travel to foreign country to visit the spouse, spending thousands of dollars, all just to ensure that the Outland application will get approved (as it happens if a Canadian spouse does not travel back to the country where the spouse (principal applicant is) the outland application is deemed to fail and be rejected by CIC. So don't start preaching me what is right and what is not.

Well that is so nice of you. So considerate and thoughtful. Are you from the USA orginally? Usually us canadians are a nicer and more considerate bunch. In our case we came here because we were caught in a revolution so staying was problematic. I am canadian by birth. As for health care you are misinformed as in most provinces it is difficult to get healthcare until your AIP comes about. It would have taken over 36 months to apply outland so being shot was becoming more likely. Sorry our survival inconveniced you!

 

[Ponga]

IMHO, it would not be wise for a person without status to sign this petition, in case it ruffles a few feathers at CIC or CBSA.