Family Class Sponsorship (outland) US to Canada Photo Specs/TRV

[Timmy Hoho]

I have a couple of noob questions.

1. I'm running down the checklist of Appendix A and I'm a little confused on #13. Are they actually asking for 4 recent photos of myself with each individual member of my family? Or do they only want photos of the people that are immigrating to Canada (myself). It's probably very simple but I can't decipher it.

2. Are Americans required to get a Temporary Resident Visa?
I didn't think we'd need one since I'm applying as outland and Americans are good for six months from date of entry.


Thanks!

 

[rhcohen2014]

1. pictures are ONLY needed for the applicant and anyone else included in the pr application (ie: dependant children). the sponsor does not supply pictures, and you don't need pictures of parents and siblings. these pictures are what will be used for your approval paper and pr card.

2. as a us citizen, you are visa exempt which means you can not apply for or need a visa to enter canada as a visitor. all you do is use your passport to enter. if you plan to stay longer than 6 months then it is your obligation to apply to extend your stay until your pr application is approved. it is easy to do online and is recommended to do 30 days before your current visit ends.

 

[Timmy Hoho]

Tremendous.

Thank you very much for clarifying.

 

[cillyx5]

Is it 6 months per calendar year? Or 6 months per trip?
And how does one enter on a one-way ticket, or a 6 month away return flight?

 

[rhcohen2014]

Is it 6 months per calendar year? Or 6 months per trip?

you will hear different answers to this question. even CBSA officers have different opinions on the matter. there is no "one" answer to this question. it is very specific to the person entering and the decision of the visa officer met at the border.

And how does one enter on a one-way ticket, or a 6 month away return flight?

again, it's specific to the person trying to enter and the visa officer who they encounter. it's not recommended to travel to canada with a 1 way ticket, as that is a major trigger for secondary inspection. it's far better to travel with a refundable ticket. it's also recommended that the ticket is NOT for more than 6 months after the intended entry if entering as a visitor. Again, this will trigger a secondary interview where they will inquire why that person wants to stay beyond the "allowed 6 months" time and what their true intentions are. These are also triggers for denying entry, so if the intention is to "visit" while a pr application is processing, it's best to travel with a return ticket within 6 months from the date of entry. it will make crossing the border much easier.

there are people who have no issue entering on a one way ticket, so it's not guaranteed it *will* be an issue. the goal when entering is to *limit* red flags and to avoid secondary inspection. again, it's specific to how the border agent reacts to the answers given at point of entry. if there's suspicion of wanting to "live" illegally, then for sure there will be issues.

 

[cillyx5]

Thanks for the info. Appreciated!

 

[Panamai]

I've entered more than once without issue on a one-way ticket or a roundtrip to the US and back to Canada, but I have a NEXUS card. I would recommend getting one if there will be frequent travel. It's much faster to pass through and you don't even speak to a person, you just go to a NEXUS kiosk, stick your card in, and do a retina scan. You get through the security line way faster too!