Extended stay as visitor, only given one month before expiring again?

[Americanwife94]

So, I'm an American married to a Canadian currently living in Canada. We are going to apply for PR soon, but don't have the funds for it at the moment. Back in February I applied to extend my stay as a visitor well before the 6 month expiration. I got my new document yesterday (Says it was issued 5/27) and noticed that instead of extending it another 6 months, the expiry date is 6/27, THIS MONTH! Anyone else have this happen or have any idea why I was only given one month? Possibly a typo?

Thanks for any advice, I'd call CIC but it's Sunday and my anxiety is through the roof about this...

 

[scylla]

There are many different reasons why you may have only been given one month - CIC isn't obligated to give you a six month extension - they can extend for as long or as little as they wish (and can obviously also refused). There's no point calling CIC - it's not an error and it won't change the decision. If you applied to extended your status too far in advance (i.e. months in advance) - this could be one reason. Also, depending on what supporting evidence you submitted with your extension, it's possible they felt you didn't have sufficient funds to stay longer.

If you wish to remain in Canada longer as a visitor, you'll need to apply for another extension.

 

[Americanwife94]

Thank you for the info. I would apply for another extension, but I'm afraid I would only be given another short extension...with the last application we sent proof of my husband's income, our bank statements, etc. Hubby has a higher paying job now, but like I said, I don't want to be spending $100 every two months just to extend my stay until we can apply for PR. I'd definitely rather be putting that money toward the PR funds! :-* would it just be in my best interest to apply for PR ASAP? Borrow money from family or something? At least then I would have implied status until a decision is made on that, right?


Ugh..I just thought this whole process wouldn't be quite so difficult and frustrating as it has been.

 

[scylla]

It's always in your best interest to apply for PR as soon as you can. However it's also very much in your best interest to apply outland rather than inland. While inland gives you an open work permit after four months along with implied status - it's a horrible way to apply for Americans and we very strongly recommend against it (pretty much every American here who applied inland ends up very deeply regretting this decision). You should apply outland - however the downside of outland is no implied status - so you'll need to apply for an extension if you want to remain in Canada.

 

[Americanwife94]

It looks like I'll be applying for another extension. Unfortunately I don't have the option of applying Outland. Why do Americans regret from applying inland? Longer wait times, higher denial rate?

 

[scylla]

It looks like I'll be applying for another extension. Unfortunately I don't have the option of applying Outland. Why do Americans regret from applying inland? Longer wait times, higher denial rate?

The main reason is the extremely long wait time and the pressure this puts on relationships (people underestimate how much). It takes around for months to receive the OWP using the inland method and then you often have another year and a half to wait before you have PR. During this time, it's recommended you either completely avoid or very much limit trips outside of Canada since there's never a guarantee you'll be allowed back in. Outland can take less than four months total.

You certainly have the option of applying outland. You can apply outland while in Canada.

You should very seriously reconsider how you are applying.

 

[Americanwife94]

Any info you can give me about applying Outland from in Canada would be extremely helpful! I didn't know this was an option for me.

 

[scylla]

Any info you can give me about applying Outland from in Canada would be extremely helpful! I didn't know this was an option for me.

You really need to move over to the Family Sponsorship section of the forum. This is where all of these discussions are.

Applying outland from within Canada is very straight-forward. You simply submit an outland application.

 

[MilesAway]

There's a thread for US applicants through CPP-Ottawa (which is outland). There have been several applications going through in 1-2 months recently, compared to 1-2 years for inland.

 

[Aquakitty]

You really need to move over to the Family Sponsorship section of the forum. This is where all of these discussions are.

Applying outland from within Canada is very straight-forward. You simply submit an outland application.

I'm pretty sure this is the Family Sponsorship forum, ;D

Agree with the others. The only difference between applying outland compared to applying inland is the actual forms you fill out, and waiting as short as 1 month compared to up to 2 years. Here is a link to the outland forms: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/fc.asp

Make sure you use your Canadian address for everything if you don't plan on going back, so you won't have to worry about where the COPR will end up or filling out a Use of Representative form.


If you have all your ducks in a row (you need the US PCC asap) you can get your PR in a MONTH which is amazing and unheard of in the 10 years I've been dealing with Family immigration.

I suggest you get your medical and pay the fees, then apply for the visitor extension with these as proof of applying for PR. They are more likely to give you a longer extension.

This is one of the only times I would suggest someone pay with a loan or credit card if they have to, it's better to get it done over trying to save money and waiting longer.

 

[scylla]

I'm pretty sure this is the Family Sponsorship forum, ;D

Thread was moved by a moderator from Visitors section. If you go to the Visitors section - you'll see the locked thread.

 

[CDNPR2014]

If you have all your ducks in a row (you need the US PCC asap) you can get your PR in a MONTH which is amazing and unheard of in the 10 years I've been dealing with Family immigration

While US citizens are seeing quicker processing, the latest "average" posted on these boards are not 1 month. It is more like 2-3 (which is still amazing). ok yes, i believe a couple of people have reported being approved in 5-6 weeks (and 1 person created a thread about it), but still... it's not what the majority are facing. In my opinion it's really misleading to be promoting a "1 month" processing, since it's not really accurate, and there are still plenty of people who applied the same time and are still waiting for SA. We don't know how long processing will remain this quick (it is known to go up and down depending on the season) or what CIC is doing to pick certain applications for speedy processing. It seems right now, March 2016 US applicants are seeing approval.

I do agree, that a us citizen should NOT apply inland, because even at the "longest" trend, the processing time is 5-7 months. There is absolutely no reason to apply inland.

 

[annakrystyna13]

So, I'm an American married to a Canadian currently living in Canada. We are going to apply for PR soon, but don't have the funds for it at the moment. Back in February I applied to extend my stay as a visitor well before the 6 month expiration. I got my new document yesterday (Says it was issued 5/27) and noticed that instead of extending it another 6 months, the expiry date is 6/27, THIS MONTH! Anyone else have this happen or have any idea why I was only given one month? Possibly a typo?

Thanks for any advice, I'd call CIC but it's Sunday and my anxiety is through the roof about this...

They are giving you 6 months, but from the time your previous visa expired. It happened to my friend as well. I know it really sucks, but basically all you can do is apply for another extension. Don't lose your status before you apply for PR. And remember that you don't have to pay the landing fee upfront, so it's only about $550 for the PR application. Good luck.