Help with Citizenship Application: Visitor Extensions and Temporary Status Details

[JohnnyDamien]

I came to Canada in March 2021 on a visitor visa and applied for inland spousal sponsorship with an open work permit (OWP) in May 2021. In August 2021, I applied for and received a visitor extension valid until February 2022. However, my OWP application was returned in November 2021 due to a missing fee, however I reapplied right away. In January 2022, I applied for another visitor extension, but it was eventually returned, and the fee refunded because my OWP was approved in the meantime.

Now, while filling out my online citizenship application, there’s a section asking about temporary resident status and visitor extensions. However, I don’t see a specific place in the tool to explain all these details. Where exactly should I mention this information? Should I include both visitor extensions and clarify that the January 2022 one was returned due to the OWP approval?
Any guidance on where and how to input this information in the online application tool would be greatly appreciated!”

 

[JohnnyDamien]

I came to Canada in March 2021 on a visitor visa and applied for inland spousal sponsorship with an open work permit (OWP) in May 2021. In August 2021, I applied for and received a visitor extension valid until February 2022. However, my OWP application was returned in November 2021 due to a missing fee, however I reapplied right away. In January 2022, I applied for another visitor extension, but it was eventually returned, and the fee refunded because my OWP was approved in the meantime.

Now, while filling out my online citizenship application, there’s a section asking about temporary resident status and visitor extensions. However, I don’t see a specific place in the tool to explain all these details. Where exactly should I mention this information? Should I include both visitor extensions and clarify that the January 2022 one was returned due to the OWP approval?
Any guidance on where and how to input this information in the online application tool would be greatly appreciated!”

@scylla @canuck78 any information? Can i put all the details in a document and upload it to additional documents?

 

[armoured]

Any guidance on where and how to input this information in the online application tool would be greatly appreciated!”

You don't specify when you became a PR - but presumably sometime a bit later in 2022?

I don't have an answer to your question above, but a comment: it seems from reports here that applications are processed more slowly where the applicant is relying on days from before they became a PR to meet the 1095 days count. And that ANY periods where there is a question about status in Canada before becoming a PR can result in rejection if IRCC does not have specific records of the applicant's status. (You could appeal but in most cases this would be more complicated than just applying again).

So short form: you may be better off waiting until you have 1095+ days in Canada as a permanent resident. It may mean waiting some extra months to apply (two? three? i don't have the info to say) if it reduces the processing time and SUBSTANTIALLY reduces risk of issues.

Up to you. Just your descirption of situation extensions and refusal even if temporary where it may not be clear what your status was seems exactly to match this type of pattern.

 

[JohnnyDamien]

thank you for reply, PR was issued July 2022

 

[armoured]

thank you for reply, PR was issued July 2022

So yes, you'd have to wait ~six more months to apply with the requisite number of 'full' days. Up to you.

 

[JohnnyDamien]

So yes, you'd have to wait ~six more months to apply with the requisite number of 'full' days. Up to you.

Thank you for your input, but your reply is inaccurate and lacks a factual basis. Many individuals in similar situations have successfully received their citizenship within a few months, despite these circumstances.

 

[armoured]

Thank you for your input, but your reply is inaccurate and lacks a factual basis. Many individuals in similar situations have successfully received their citizenship within a few months, despite these circumstances.

Note, my point was 'full' days, by which I meant counting only days as a permanent resident (not using any half days as a visitor). That part is absolutely factually accurate and indisputable.

Whether you think there is a likelihood of an issue or not: as I noted, there've been reports here of people having issues with such applications and even being refused (because IRCC records did not have status fully recorded). I'm sure there have also been ones that have not had an issue. No way to know how common or likely either scenario might be.

Up to you, as I said, whether you wish to apply now or not.