Crossing Borders for new immigration stamp

[crystarclear]

Hi. So I'm on visitor status right now in Canada. I came here this year on May 2nd 2017 and I got my passport stamped by the border officer in Edmonton with the same date. That goes to show my visitor status would expire this November 2 right? For a total of 6 months.

Last August, I submitted a visitor extension but I'm still waiting for the CIC response. I have come to guess they haven't processed it yet as I think the processing time for extension is around 3 months. So I'm on implied status when November comes??

Then Last September 20, CIC notified me that they have received my in-land PR and OWP application. No AOR yet. Fingers are crossed. Still waiting for any response.

I'm wondering if I'm still legal to stay here in Canada? And my Alberta Health Card is about to expire the same time my status expires. I wanted to extend it but the health services can't do so with only the basis of my immigration stamp. They want documents from the IRCC like the OWP but it's gonna take long. And I kinda really need the health card cos I got pregnant during my stay here and it's gonna be hefty to pay from your own pocket for all the prenatal check ups.

Can I just in case cross through the US for a short vacation there and re-enter Canada with a new stamp? Will they stamp me again for another 6 months? Thank you! Sorry for the post it seemed long. Hope someone helps or has an insight!

 

[KBH]

Hi. So I'm on visitor status right now in Canada. I came here this year on May 2nd 2017 and I got my passport stamped by the border officer in Edmonton with the same date. That goes to show my visitor status would expire this November 2 right? For a total of 6 months.

Last August, I submitted a visitor extension but I'm still waiting for the CIC response. I have come to guess they haven't processed it yet as I think the processing time for extension is around 3 months. So I'm on implied status when November comes??

Then Last September 20, CIC notified me that they have received my in-land PR and OWP application. No AOR yet. Fingers are crossed. Still waiting for any response.

I'm wondering if I'm still legal to stay here in Canada? And my Alberta Health Card is about to expire the same time my status expires. I wanted to extend it but the health services can't do so with only the basis of my immigration stamp. They want documents from the IRCC like the OWP but it's gonna take long. And I kinda really need the health card cos I got pregnant during my stay here and it's gonna be hefty to pay from your own pocket for all the prenatal check ups.

Can I just in case cross through the US for a short vacation there and re-enter Canada with a new stamp? Will they stamp me again for another 6 months? Thank you! Sorry for the post it seemed long. Hope someone helps or has an insight!

If you've already applied for a visitor extension, you are on implied status, and will continue to be on implied status even after November 2nd rolls around. They are EXTREMELY behind on the visitor extensions (right now, they are only working on May applications) so you still have a few more months until you receive the extension. However, you would be perfectly legal to stay under implied status during that entire time. You may even end up receiving your OWP before you hear back on your visitor extension.

If you are able to travel to the US, you are taking a couple of risks. One is that, if for whatever reason you were not allowed back into Canada, your application is inland, so the entire application would be discarded. The other issue is that if you leave while your visitor extension is processing, that application is discarded as well. (At least, that seems to be the general consensus on what happens to the visitor extensions if you leave while they are processing).

So basically what I'm telling you is that if you stay in Canada until you get your OWP, you can anticipate being legally here on implied status the entire time. Whereas if you leave, you are introducing an element of risk because there's no guarantee you will get back in. Of course the chances of this happening might be low, but it's still something to consider.

I'm not sure how the Alberta health care system works, but can you bring them proof of your visitor extension application to show you're on implied status?

 

[crystarclear]

Thanks for the insight! You're probably right about getting all my applications getting discarded if I leave Canada. That's what I'm thinking too although I'm not very sure of it. I guess I'll just try and wait for the OWP.

Uhm, as far as the Alberta Health System goes I don't think they give out extensions for the basis of implied status (from what I've read on their website) they need the actual evidence that I already have the OWP or the PR. So there goes the dilemma lol. Anyway, thanks again! You helped a lot with all the thinking I've been doing for days

 

[Buletruck]

Did you call AHCIC to find out what is required?

 

[Nadaa]

Thanks for the insight! You're probably right about getting all my applications getting discarded if I leave Canada. That's what I'm thinking too although I'm not very sure of it. I guess I'll just try and wait for the OWP.

Uhm, as far as the Alberta Health System goes I don't think they give out extensions for the basis of implied status (from what I've read on their website) they need the actual evidence that I already have the OWP or the PR. So there goes the dilemma lol. Anyway, thanks again! You helped a lot with all the thinking I've been doing for days

Waiting owp is longer than extended visitor visa.. in my case i extended my visitor visa to extend my alberta health card while i also implied for work ipen permit and PR

 

[crystarclear]

Waiting owp is longer than extended visitor visa.. in my case i extended my visitor visa to extend my alberta health card while i also implied for work ipen permit and PR

What did you submit to the alberta health card? Cos im still waiting for my extended visitor visa i have no other documents to show them yet. And they won't extend it unless i have all the necessary papers

 

[Nadaa]

What did you submit to the alberta health card? Cos im still waiting for my extended visitor visa i have no other documents to show them yet. And they won't extend it unless i have all the necessary papers

What i remember.. first getting my pict ID from registry office (2months after arrived) than went to registry again (5months after arrived) i didnt prepare doct just brought original passport with Visitor visa attached inside, married book from my country and picture ID i have. I married Canadian a year ago in my country before i come to Canada

 

[Nadaa]

I almost forget, registry will give u a form that u need to be filled in or you can download it from alberta provincial healthcare and bring it to registry office

 

[KBH]

Waiting owp is longer than extended visitor visa.. in my case i extended my visitor visa to extend my alberta health card while i also implied for work ipen permit and PR

FYI the wait to extend a visitor status is currently around 4 months, so right now it takes about the same time as it does to get an OWP (which I understand is 4 months or less).

 

[Nadaa]

FYI the wait to extend a visitor status is currently around 4 months, so right now it takes about the same time as it does to get an OWP (which I understand is 4 months or less).

Ooh thanks for your info, the regulation been changed than. Tht was based on my case. Extended visitor visa 2months (Aug 2016) and OWP 5months (May 2017), poor me