Flagpole or extension?

[Kess]

My husband came up to stay with me while our application is in process at the end of November. When we drove across the border guard gave him a 2 month visitor record which expires on Jan 31. He told us to come back on the 31st with the instructions to stop into the Canadian office first to give them the visitor record, then flagpole at the US office, then come back and see if they will let him enter Canada (and for how long). They printed on the visitor record that he has to present himself to that border crossing on the 31.
We're trying to decide how much risk there is in doing that or if we should just pay the $75 and file for an extension. I'm worried that if we dont follow the instructions we were given that it will go against him. Of course I'm also worried that they wont let him back in.

 

[Jurjen]

Play everything by the rules, that's all I can say.

If you'd decide to go to the border, you should also explain this to the immigration officer at the border. You didn't file for extension, because the officer at the border told you to come back. Every time you're asking for extension (whether it's at the border or through the CIC website), so you're not doing anything wrong and are not becoming an illegal alien. If there's no reason to deny your husband, they shouldn't.

You're very late for applying online anyways. I don't know if implied status also applies to tourist visitor records or only to work permits (maybe call the CIC hot line for this question). If it does, you can just apply online. This will be safer, as you're not suddenly stuck at the border if they don't allow him back in and he will be able to plan his trip back.

Just my opinion.

 

[lovebajan]

My husband came up to stay with me while our application is in process at the end of November. When we drove across the border guard gave him a 2 month visitor record which expires on Jan 31. He told us to come back on the 31st with the instructions to stop into the Canadian office first to give them the visitor record, then flagpole at the US office, then come back and see if they will let him enter Canada (and for how long). They printed on the visitor record that he has to present himself to that border crossing on the 31.
We're trying to decide how much risk there is in doing that or if we should just pay the $75 and file for an extension. I'm worried that if we dont follow the instructions we were given that it will go against him. Of course I'm also worried that they wont let him back in.

Hi,
That sounds like a lot of running around...but I guess you can always call CIC for some info on what you were told... all I can share is our experience...my hubby and I applied for an extension since September 23, 2010 and they are only working on applications received on September 14, 2010. Plus the time/ days to process keeps changing!! (it was 90 days, then 110 days, then 114 days, then 118 days, now it's 121 days to process applications by mail) If you send your application via internet it's less...like 55 or so days!!

Hope this helps, even if it's only a little!!!

 

[Baloo]

My husband came up to stay with me while our application is in process at the end of November. When we drove across the border guard gave him a 2 month visitor record which expires on Jan 31. He told us to come back on the 31st with the instructions to stop into the Canadian office first to give them the visitor record, then flagpole at the US office, then come back and see if they will let him enter Canada (and for how long). They printed on the visitor record that he has to present himself to that border crossing on the 31.
We're trying to decide how much risk there is in doing that or if we should just pay the $75 and file for an extension. I'm worried that if we dont follow the instructions we were given that it will go against him. Of course I'm also worried that they wont let him back in.

Pay for the extension.
Apply NOW.
Include everything that is required.
If you post it, use a service that provides a delivery signature (as proof it arrived).

As soon as it arrives, you will be under implied status.

 

[bonbon9]

Pay for the extension.
Apply NOW.
Include everything that is required.
If you post it, use a service that provides a delivery signature (as proof it arrived).

As soon as it arrives, you will be under implied status.

I agree!

You don't have to go to the border on the 31st. They printed the date on his passport as an expiry day of his visit. You'll be totally fine applying through mail but I don't know if you can still apply online.

 

[Baloo]

I agree!

You don't have to go to the border on the 31st. They printed the date on his passport as an expiry day of his visit. You'll be totally fine applying through mail but I don't know if you can still apply online.

He should also be able to apply online.

 

[QCSunshine]

If you apply online, you might find it a challenge to get all the info you want to submit into the allotted pdfs allowed to upload. When I did it, there was space to upload three attachments so I had to do some pdf creation to get the info they requested, plus the additional info I wanted to submit to show our PR application was submitted and in process, plus the copy of the marriage certificate, etc. I got it all into 3 pdfs within the specified sizes, but it took several hours because when I started I thought I would be able to upload unlimited pdfs, and then had to re-do them to combine and re-size things.

 

[Baloo]

If you apply online, you might find it a challenge to get all the info you want to submit into the allotted pdfs allowed to upload. When I did it, there was space to upload three attachments so I had to do some pdf creation to get the info they requested, plus the additional info I wanted to submit to show our PR application was submitted and in process, plus the copy of the marriage certificate, etc. I got it all into 3 pdfs within the specified sizes, but it took several hours because when I started I thought I would be able to upload unlimited pdfs, and then had to re-do them to combine and re-size things.

Good points.
I guess that many people are happy with submitting by mail and benefiting from the extra time in implied status, can I ask why you chose to go the online route?

 

[QCSunshine]

I decided to do it online because I like having the instant confirmation of submission without having to mail something with delivery confirmation, and I prefer the much quicker processing time for the decision on whether or not they renew my stay as a visitor. I guess this could be a minus for some people, but I hate not knowing things and to worry about worst case scenarios, so I preferred to minimize that time of unknowing. Plus I had already used the online system, so it felt familiar.