Inland Application... Arival, visas, dual intent, convictions, etc!!!

[cato]

Hi Folks,

My wife is currently in Canada and i am hoping to join her shortly from the UK. We have no existing immigration applications filed and are thinking that inland application + OWP would be best for our circumstances as it will allow us to live and work together sooner.

Sorry there's a lot of questions here! Despite hours of reading, we are still unclear on many aspects of inland apps so any advice / clarifications would be greatly appreciated...

Visas are not required from the UK so i have previously entered under ETA. Do i need to arrange a temporary resident visa with dual intent prior to departure in order to apply inland or is it just a case of arriving with valid ETA and declaring my intent to visit / apply for PR at the border on arrival?

If no explicit dual intent visa is required, would entering as a visitor prevent me from being able to apply inland once there (E.G we might be unsure of best route but decide to apply once i am inland)? I've never had any problem traveling to Canada as a visitor even on one way tickets for long durations but have read some scary stuff about people being declined entry when arriving with dual intent so wondering if its best just entering as a visitor, particularly given that...

I have some pretty minor things on my criminal record: 20+ year old caution and a fine+driving ban as well as a 10 year old fine for mischief, so anticipate that i will have to undergo the process confirming rehabilitation. Is this something that will come up during visa application, at the border on entry, or during the family sponsorship application? There's never been a problem entering Canada in the past but i am afraid this might cause problems on arrival with dual intent so any advice would be be really useful in this regard.

In any case i'll make sure i have return ticket, proof of funds, copy of marriage cert, police certificates, and confirmation of residence in the UK (I have no tenancy but was going to take a letter from my family confirming that I have a home to return to if my application is rejected). Am i missing anything here? e.g should i get anything from my wife confirming address or her ability to support me such as job, savings, etc?

Any advice would be awesome, as we hope to be together fairly soon!

 

[Helena R]

Hello there,

So... Best to come as a visitor, simple. Once in Canada, you decide what you're going to do and if you're going to apply.
We're assuming your wife is a Canadian citizen or PR, right ?
What I would suggest is that you ask for a pardon for your convictions in England prior to travel, as it will save you time and stress when applying for PR.

All the documents you mention seem to be enough, but they are to be used only in case the officer asks you anything. If nobody asks you anything, you're coming as a visitor, that's it. They don't care if you plan to apply or not really, they want to know mainly the purpose of your trip and the extension; they could require proof of ties to your country, which you have.

IF they happen to ask if you're going to apply to stay, just tell them the truth, that yes, you're both considering applying for PR and you have to talk and decide it together.

Hope it's clear.

 

[canamconnect]

Read the section about criminal admissibility. Seems your convictions are not too serious but important to note if it has been more than 10 years since the COMPLETION of your last sentence (fine, etc) you will be deemed rehabilitated. Check out the info and forms they have available.

I would be careful what you declare at the border (if they even ask) as if you say you are intending to stay and apply PR they may wonder why the return ticket? Also they know the process is longer than 6 months which is the max visitor visa you can have without going TRV or TRP.

Helena was right to advise this section: "All the documents you mention seem to be enough, but they are to be used only in case the officer asks you anything. If nobody asks you anything, you're coming as a visitor, that's it."