Hello! Finally starting PR process! Have a few questions.

[lleahdoll]

Just one more thing , photo copy as much as the paper work that you are sending in just incase they lose anything. Then you won't have to try finding it all again .... Its a pain but better safe. Men are allergic to paper work didn't you know that lol .

I was just going to print two copies of everything. One for me and one for them. That's basically the same thing, right?

BAHAHAH!!! That is a-ok with me! I don't think I'd trust him to do all the paperwork.

 

[taffy7]

yes thats good, but if you are sending evidence also like cards and receipts or photos make sure you have easy access to them if they need them . It just makes sense. More work for us i know but if it does get lost at least we can send if off in a jiffy .

 

[taffy7]

My husband is laid back too we did all our paper work in January when he was in Canada with me , still haven't sent it off needed more from him . On my way to the U.K now to get every thing i need to get this application off once and for all .

 

[BeShoo]

Wowee!!!! SO I'm guessing you've gotten year long extensions? I'm thinking of doing that once this 6 month stay is over because chance are we will have submitted the paperwork by then (June).

I think we've had 3 year-long extensions. At first, I never thought to ask for a year, but then I read that some people on this site asked for 6 months and were just given a year. Since the application probably takes about a year to be processed, that makes sense since they'd want to let you stay until you get an answer on the application.

I don't know if you'd know the answer to this, but say I was to get a year long extension... what happens when my PR is approved? Do I just leave across the border (plane, car, whatever) and come straight back over?? I don't have many belongings still in the US to be honest besides keep sake type items that I have no present need for so I wouldn't need to move a bunch of things over.

As you've be told, you can "flagpole." If you have anything to bring over that might be subject to duty and taxes, you have to at least present a list of those items at that time or have them with you along with the list so that you can bring them in duty-free.

3) What are proofs that we SENT the PR before we get the AOR?

The main thing they are looking for is a copy of the receipt saying that you have submitted the fee. We also printed out a draft copy of our forms and photographs and travel receipts that were part of our relationship proofs. The first time we came across, we had an insane amount of his stuff in the car (which thankfully they didn't decide to look at). They kind of flipped through the application, but didn't really llook at it. It's not their job to evaluate your application in any way. Their job is only to see if you're admissible as a visitor and will likely return to the U.S. at the end of your visit.

They would like you to be already married and have already sent in the application at the time that you come to visit, though many people visit with the intention of filling out the paperwork together. The officer we encountered wasn't much impressed by that way of doing things. She told us, "You're doing it all backwards."

I know they'd want some sort of proof I can support myself during my stay which I also don't understand since I'm staying with my husband, not in a hotel or something.

So long as your husband can vouch for you and state that he will support you during your visit, that will be fine. I've crossed by car with my partner and done this verbally. Once when he landed at the airport, they took him aside for questioning and seized sweet potatoes he was bringing for Thanksgiving dinner. (Don't bring root crop with you ever!) They phoned me just as I arrived at the airport to pick him up and asked a bunch of questions about whether he was really staying with me, how did we meet, what was our relationship, etc. Since our stories checked out, they were fine with it, but it was rather traumatic for him.

To get the VR extensions, I had to submit a statement of where he would be staying and that I would support him, and statements of income, bank statements, etc. Once you have a VR, they don't have to ask a lot of questions, because I already submitted various proofs to get the VR. Actually, the last time, I wrote in the letter that I had included bank statements, but forgot to put them in. I was worried, but I guess they didn't find it a problem because they approved it. I've been supporting him for 4 years now, so I guess they had no reason to suppose that would change.

 

[BeShoo]

By the way, we're both men, so I couldn't just shuffle off the paperwork to a woman. As it happens though, I've just completed a BA and then an MA, and was well on my way to a PhD when I decided to withdraw as this process started. Anyway, with all that behind me, paperwork with proofs is kind of second nature to me. For him, he said he'd never written anything so complicated in his life, so I ended up writing most of it and just had him read it over to incorporate his suggestions.

 

[lleahdoll]

yes thats good, but if you are sending evidence also like cards and receipts or photos make sure you have easy access to them if they need them . It just makes sense. More work for us i know but if it does get lost at least we can send if off in a jiffy .

My husband is laid back too we did all our paper work in January when he was in Canada with me , still haven't sent it off needed more from him . On my way to the U.K now to get every thing i need to get this application off once and for all .

thank you Taffy! I will definitely keep all the evidence and things I photocopy all together until this process is over. In case they would need anything!

 

[lleahdoll]

I think we've had 3 year-long extensions. At first, I never thought to ask for a year, but then I read that some people on this site asked for 6 months and were just given a year. Since the application probably takes about a year to be processed, that makes sense since they'd want to let you stay until you get an answer on the application.

As you've be told, you can "flagpole." If you have anything to bring over that might be subject to duty and taxes, you have to at least present a list of those items at that time or have them with you along with the list so that you can bring them in duty-free.

The main thing they are looking for is a copy of the receipt saying that you have submitted the fee. We also printed out a draft copy of our forms and photographs and travel receipts that were part of our relationship proofs. The first time we came across, we had an insane amount of his stuff in the car (which thankfully they didn't decide to look at). They kind of flipped through the application, but didn't really llook at it. It's not their job to evaluate your application in any way. Their job is only to see if you're admissible as a visitor and will likely return to the U.S. at the end of your visit.

They would like you to be already married and have already sent in the application at the time that you come to visit, though many people visit with the intention of filling out the paperwork together. The officer we encountered wasn't much impressed by that way of doing things. She told us, "You're doing it all backwards."

So long as your husband can vouch for you and state that he will support you during your visit, that will be fine. I've crossed by car with my partner and done this verbally. Once when he landed at the airport, they took him aside for questioning and seized sweet potatoes he was bringing for Thanksgiving dinner. (Don't bring root crop with you ever!) They phoned me just as I arrived at the airport to pick him up and asked a bunch of questions about whether he was really staying with me, how did we meet, what was our relationship, etc. Since our stories checked out, they were fine with it, but it was rather traumatic for him.

To get the VR extensions, I had to submit a statement of where he would be staying and that I would support him, and statements of income, bank statements, etc. Once you have a VR, they don't have to ask a lot of questions, because I already submitted various proofs to get the VR. Actually, the last time, I wrote in the letter that I had included bank statements, but forgot to put them in. I was worried, but I guess they didn't find it a problem because they approved it. I've been supporting him for 4 years now, so I guess they had no reason to suppose that would change.

That would be AMAZING if they gave me a year extension! Although I'm conflicted since my brother is about to have a baby... so then if I risk leaving, it doesn't mean they'll let me back in, right?

Ah ok. And do you get the copy of the receipt online???

Hmmm.. well, we got married in August and I came back to visit in December to work on the paperwork so I'm here working on the paperwork. When I came through the airport in December the lady just asked what I was here for. I told her I was visiting my husband. That is all I said. She said ok, stamped my passport and that was that. So she didn't ask about if we were filing out PR papers or anything yet.

If I ever get pulled in for more questioning at the airport, I'm pretty sure I'll have an anxiety attack hahah I get so nervous in situations where you are being questioned/interrogated/etc.

 

[lleahdoll]

By the way, we're both men, so I couldn't just shuffle off the paperwork to a woman. As it happens though, I've just completed a BA and then an MA, and was well on my way to a PhD when I decided to withdraw as this process started. Anyway, with all that behind me, paperwork with proofs is kind of second nature to me. For him, he said he'd never written anything so complicated in his life, so I ended up writing most of it and just had him read it over to incorporate his suggestions.

Hahah!!! Well you definitely don't need a woman then!

I can't imagine if my husband had to do the paperwork alone like if I couldn't visit often to help. We'd be screeeewed!

 

[BeShoo]

That would be AMAZING if they gave me a year extension! Although I'm conflicted since my brother is about to have a baby... so then if I risk leaving, it doesn't mean they'll let me back in, right?

Ah ok. And do you get the copy of the receipt online???

They are never guaranteed to let you back in, but in my experience they waved us through very quickly after they saw the VR. One time, they asked if we had filed yet. The last time they asked, "So you both live in Gatineau?" then told us to go ahead. So long as you haven't committed any crime and haven't violated the conditions of your visit, it shouldn't be any problem getting back to Canada.

When you pay online, you get a PDF file of the receipt which you can print as many copies of as you want. If you pay at a bank, you could photocopy the receipt stamped by the teller.

 

[nozomi]

They are never guaranteed to let you back in, but in my experience they waved us through very quickly after they saw the VR. One time, they asked if we had filed yet. The last time they asked, "So you both live in Gatineau?" then told us to go ahead. So long as you haven't committed any crime and haven't violated the conditions of your visit, it shouldn't be any problem getting back to Canada.

BeShoo, when you go through the border, do you normally volunteer to the officer that you have applied for PR? Or do you think they know when they scan your passport? I ask because since applying for my PR (applying outland and visiting my partner in Canada through the process), I've gone back to the US once and I wasn't asked about the process when I came back into Canada so I'm wondering what others are doing.

lleahdoll, good luck on your paperwork prep! I too procrastinated and overall took 10 months total before finally completing and sending in the application package last month. By the time we thought we had everything ready, the CIC had revised some of their forms so we had to reprint those and retype everything in the end. So I would double check that you have the latest and greatest before printing out the complete forms when you are ready (I read somewhere that IMM0008 was revised for this month).

 

[lleahdoll]

They are never guaranteed to let you back in, but in my experience they waved us through very quickly after they saw the VR. One time, they asked if we had filed yet. The last time they asked, "So you both live in Gatineau?" then told us to go ahead. So long as you haven't committed any crime and haven't violated the conditions of your visit, it shouldn't be any problem getting back to Canada.

When you pay online, you get a PDF file of the receipt which you can print as many copies of as you want. If you pay at a bank, you could photocopy the receipt stamped by the teller.

Right... so a VR isn't the same as "extending your stay" though right? Because my husband never travels with me because he can never get out of work and I read the citizen has to ask for the VR for their partner/husband/wife, etc.

Ah ok!! I will try and pay online then!

BeShoo, when you go through the border, do you normally volunteer to the officer that you have applied for PR? Or do you think they know when they scan your passport? I ask because since applying for my PR (applying outland and visiting my partner in Canada through the process), I've gone back to the US once and I wasn't asked about the process when I came back into Canada so I'm wondering what others are doing.

lleahdoll, good luck on your paperwork prep! I too procrastinated and overall took 10 months total before finally completing and sending in the application package last month. By the time we thought we had everything ready, the CIC had revised some of their forms so we had to reprint those and retype everything in the end. So I would double check that you have the latest and greatest before printing out the complete forms when you are ready (I read somewhere that IMM0008 was revised for this month).

I'm curious about that as well! I'd like to know how much information they can get on their computers at the border???

Thank you Nozomi!
Yeah we are really chill people and so most days I forget I need to get on the ball with filling out and gathering everything hahah
It's already been 7 months since we got married so we're catching up to you!

Ooh thank you for the heads up!! I will definitely check that I have all the most recent files. I downloaded them all in Novemeber! I will double check the IMM0008 for sure!

 

[BeShoo]

BeShoo, when you go through the border, do you normally volunteer to the officer that you have applied for PR? Or do you think they know when they scan your passport? I ask because since applying for my PR (applying outland and visiting my partner in Canada through the process), I've gone back to the US once and I wasn't asked about the process when I came back into Canada so I'm wondering what others are doing.

We actually haven't visited the U.S. since we filed (which was at the end of January). I think they are able to see that you filed if they look through all your notes, but they don't necessarily do that every time. I don't normally volunteer anything unless they ask. Making small talk about anything that is not prompted by the officer is what people do to cover up when they're nervous that they're hiding something and the officers know that.

There aren't many reasons why someone would have a VR, so maybe they can jump to the conclusion just from that. If they ask how we're related, I might tell the officer that I'm sponsoring him as well as telling the officer that we're common-law partners. The last time, the officer didn't ask any questions about PR and I didn't volunteer any information that he didn't ask. There's no use complicating matters.

The first time he came for the long-term visit, I told the officer on the road specifically that he was my conjugal partner (which he was at that time) and that we were preparing the paperwork for PR. We had all the forms filled in as much as possible and I expected to be taken for secondary inspection and a VR issued to him. If not for that fact, I wouldn't have mentioned the PR then, either. Actually, maybe I would have had to. We had the car stuff very, very tightly with all his stuff that we could fit into any space or crevice. He wanted to bring some other stuff, but I had to keep telling him, "There's no room in the car." I'm very thankful that they didn't decide to inspect the contents of the car. They not only might have questioned so much stuff, but it would have taken a long time for us to repack it and it was the first week of February, not the best time to be spending lots of time outside at the Ontario.New York border.

What we didn't bring, we left in a storage unit in Florida and eventually we couldn't afford the rent and everything got sold off. He lost all his childhood photo albums and his high school yearbooks through that process and I still regret that we left those in Florida. I never even got to look at them. I tried a few times to contact U-Haul afterwards, but they never returned my calls or emails.

 

[lleahdoll]

We actually haven't visited the U.S. since we filed (which was at the end of January). I think they are able to see that you filed if they look through all your notes, but they don't necessarily do that every time. I don't normally volunteer anything unless they ask. Making small talk about anything that is not prompted by the officer is what people do to cover up when they're nervous that they're hiding something and the officers know that.

There aren't many reasons why someone would have a VR, so maybe they can jump to the conclusion just from that. If they ask how we're related, I might tell the officer that I'm sponsoring him as well as telling the officer that we're common-law partners. The last time, the officer didn't ask any questions about PR and I didn't volunteer any information that he didn't ask. There's no use complicating matters.

The first time he came for the long-term visit, I told the officer on the road specifically that he was my conjugal partner (which he was at that time) and that we were preparing the paperwork for PR. We had all the forms filled in as much as possible and I expected to be taken for secondary inspection and a VR issued to him. If not for that fact, I wouldn't have mentioned the PR then, either. Actually, maybe I would have had to. We had the car stuff very, very tightly with all his stuff that we could fit into any space or crevice. He wanted to bring some other stuff, but I had to keep telling him, "There's no room in the car." I'm very thankful that they didn't decide to inspect the contents of the car. They not only might have questioned so much stuff, but it would have taken a long time for us to repack it and it was the first week of February, not the best time to be spending lots of time outside at the Ontario.New York border.

What we didn't bring, we left in a storage unit in Florida and eventually we couldn't afford the rent and everything got sold off. He lost all his childhood photo albums and his high school yearbooks through that process and I still regret that we left those in Florida. I never even got to look at them. I tried a few times to contact U-Haul afterwards, but they never returned my calls or emails.

Yeah I have read multiple times not to make small talk and to just answer with short definitive answers. I was once asked while leaving Canada (so by a US officer?) "And you only have one suitcase for 6 months?" I just said "Yep." and I wasn't questioned any further. I also find if I try to talk more like being nice to them it doesn't do much and just makes me nervous. Answering yes/no is the way to go. hahah

That is suuuuuch a bummer BeShoo!!! I have lost digital photos before and never got them back. I feel for you and your partner!! One of my fears is losing all my keepsakes and photos and such!!

 

[BeShoo]

Right... so a VR isn't the same as "extending your stay" though right? Because my husband never travels with me because he can never get out of work and I read the citizen has to ask for the VR for their partner/husband/wife, etc.

Ooh thank you for the heads up!! I will definitely check that I have all the most recent files. I downloaded them all in Novemeber! I will double check the IMM0008 for sure!

Essentially, a VR is what they issue when they are worried that you might not leave by the date you are required to. It also is good proof for which day you came in when it comes time to issue an extension. When they grant a visa-exempt citizen an extension, they issue a new VR. If they don't give you one when you first cross, they may stamp your passport. The stamp will indicate when you entered. If there is no date written below it, you have 6 months after that entry date. If there is a date, it will be 6 months or less from the entry date.

For routine trips between Canada and the U.S., they seldom stamp the passport, especially at land crossings. Since there are lots of people who cross the border frequently for things like grocery shopping and even for daily work in some cases, some people would quickly run out of room if they stamped it every time. If there is no stamp, you might have difficulty proving the date that you entered Canada, but I suppose a flight ticket and a boarding pass, even a luggage check sticker could be useful. Keep all that stuff if you can. I suppose you could ask them to stamp the passport, but I never have because I figure then they are going to ask why you are requesting that and it might lead to even more questions. I hate answering questions at the border. It always makes me nervous.

I think it's fine if your husband is not travelling with you, though it might be easier if he was. It might be useful to have a letter from him stating that he will support you during your stay. If they have doubts, they will likely issue a VR with a short expiry. I've seen mention here of one as short as 3 weeks. Even if you got one like that, you can apply to extend it.

We had to fill out all the forms twice and some of them 3 times, I swear. The last couple of years, it seems like they are constantly revising the forms. They are making a lot of changes lately to make things more efficient and cut costs, as well as to keep out undesirables more than in the past. Check the form dates again just before you mail things off. If you send in an outdated form, they'll send it back to you.

 

[lleahdoll]

Essentially, a VR is what they issue when they are worried that you might not leave by the date you are required to. It also is good proof for which day you came in when it comes time to issue an extension. When they grant a visa-exempt citizen an extension, they issue a new VR. If they don't give you one when you first cross, they may stamp your passport. The stamp will indicate when you entered. If there is no date written below it, you have 6 months after that entry date. If there is a date, it will be 6 months or less from the entry date.

For routine trips between Canada and the U.S., they seldom stamp the passport, especially at land crossings. Since there are lots of people who cross the border frequently for things like grocery shopping and even for daily work in some cases, some people would quickly run out of room if they stamped it every time. If there is no stamp, you might have difficulty proving the date that you entered Canada, but I suppose a flight ticket and a boarding pass, even a luggage check sticker could be useful. Keep all that stuff if you can. I suppose you could ask them to stamp the passport, but I never have because I figure then they are going to ask why you are requesting that and it might lead to even more questions. I hate answering questions at the border. It always makes me nervous.

I think it's fine if your husband is not travelling with you, though it might be easier if he was. It might be useful to have a letter from him stating that he will support you during your stay. If they have doubts, they will likely issue a VR with a short expiry. I've seen mention here of one as short as 3 weeks. Even if you got one like that, you can apply to extend it.

We had to fill out all the forms twice and some of them 3 times, I swear. The last couple of years, it seems like they are constantly revising the forms. They are making a lot of changes lately to make things more efficient and cut costs, as well as to keep out undesirables more than in the past. Check the form dates again just before you mail things off. If you send in an outdated form, they'll send it back to you.

Ok, well my situation now is I've been visiting this visit since December 8th. They did stamp my passport but didn't write a date so, meaning I have 6 months. So can I do the extended stay thing on the CIC website??? I don't have a literal VISA. Just a stamped passport.

I guess we'll see how the applying for a extension goes and see if he'll need to write me a letter saying he's supporting me during my stay.

Will double check all forms once my husband will fill them out with me lol He has a night time work schedule so it makes doing any kind of important paperwork hard hahah