Inland or outland, that is the question...

[sportsman]

I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I'm new and I want to test my understanding for the specific circumstances that interest me. I would appreciate any and all advice about my plan, outlined below. (Apparently, I can't post links, even to threads in this forum. : I have put in just the last part of the URL for the threads I'm referencing -- you can see them by prepending the obvious boilerplate prefix.)

I am a Canadian citizen residing in Canada. My (recently married) wife is a Serbian citizen residing in UAE. She is pregnant, expecting our first child in October. We are trying to decide how best to proceed with our unification.

Based on the thread leaving-canada-while-waiting-for-permanent-residence-any-chance-t126247.0.html, we believe it's best to apply in Serbia. That would likely reduce the overall processing time and provide greater flexibility in where she can be at any moment. However, we would also like to be together soon, so we plan on her coming to Canada as a temporary resident after applying outland, as described in question-can-my-spouse-visitstay-in-canada-while-her-pr-app-is-in-process-t154348.0.html.

What bothers me is the potential mismatch between her temporary-resident status and the immigration application processing time. I understand that the temporary status may be extended, but how easily and for how long? Will we inevitably face the moment when she'll have to leave and wait out the application processing outside Canada? And if so, wouldn't it be better to apply inland?

I make enough money so that she wouldn't have to work, though I'm not sure how much it will cost to provide health coverage for her before she becomes a permanent resident and then until the provincial coverage kicks in.

Any words of advice? I really do appreciate it.

 

[RajaJi]

Your wife as a Serbian Citizen needs a visa to come to Canada.

INLAND application can only be submitted, when your wife is in Canada.

For OUTLAND application, your wife can be in Canada or anywhere outside Canada. OUTLAND applications are generally processed in the country of citizenship or country of legal residence.

Visa extensions for those who are waiting for PR are easy and some people have had extensions for 2 years or more. But there is always a chance that it may not happen in every case.

Regarding health coverage, you may need to check with health department in your province. Your child will probably get it because of (s)he will be a citizen. For your wife you will most likely need to buy health insurance (if it is possible to get it for visitors in Canada).

Processing time for INLAND applications is longer (2+years). OUTLAND is quicker.

 

[sportsman]

Thanks, RajaJi. She does have a visitor's visa already.

If temporary status extension is easy and she doesn't need to work, then I really don't see any reason to apply inland. Please correct me if I'm missing something.

 

[RajaJi]

Thanks, RajaJi. She does have a visitor's visa already.

If temporary status extension is easy and she doesn't need to work, then I really don't see any reason to apply inland. Please correct me if I'm missing something.

Extension of Visa for applicants who have PR application pending are generally approved, it is not a Guarantee though.

Make sure you use the most current forms when you mail your application (a common mistake made by most people, so check on the day you are ready to send the application), Include all required documents and applicable fees.

 

[simplestyle75]

Since your wife is pregnant, you probably want in Inland. However, depending on how far along your wife is in the pregnancy, she may not be able to fly. Seek the advise of an immigration consultant. try rs immigration corporation, they're good.

 

[RajaJi]

Since your wife is pregnant, you probably want in Inland. However, depending on how far along your wife is in the pregnancy, she may not be able to fly. Seek the advise of an immigration consultant. try rs immigration corporation, they're good.

OP has mentioned they are expecting baby in October. She already has a visitor's visa to Canada. How is Inland helpful due to pregnancy? I don't think an Immigration Consultant will be helpful either. I will recommend, though, that she travels to Canada earlier rather then later during pregnancy.

 

[Rob_TO]

Since your wife is pregnant, you probably want in Inland. However, depending on how far along your wife is in the pregnancy, she may not be able to fly. Seek the advise of an immigration consultant. try rs immigration corporation, they're good.

Immigration consultant would just be a waste of money, unless they are incapable of filling out forms.

And if they fly to Canada to give birth and apply for PR, but she won't have access to healthcare, they could be looking at $10K or so in a hospital bill.

 

[sportsman]

Rob_TO: $10K seems on the low side. I'm budgeting three times that.

I guess a potential downside of an outland application is if the processing embassy schedules an interview right in the ninth month of pregnancy, when it's not advisable to fly there. But I'm sure it can be rescheduled.

Also, it occurred to me that it could be very beneficial if I obtained an American TN-1 visa. Then my wife can get a dependant visa in Serbia before coming here, making it easier to answer any CBSA questions on entry AND giving us a backup option in case we fail to obtain the visitor-status extension late in the term.

 

[Rob_TO]

Rob_TO: $10K seems on the low side. I'm budgeting three times that.

A simple natural birth with no complications at all, can be less than $5K. It's just when unexpected things start happening that require extra days in the hospital (c-section is probably most common thing), does the bill start climbing rapidly.

Also in many provinces midwives are free even to those with no healthcare, so if you can find one that will take her as a client that will cut down on costs even further.

I guess a potential downside of an outland application is if the processing embassy schedules an interview right in the ninth month of pregnancy, when it's not advisable to fly there. But I'm sure it can be rescheduled.

Most people don't need interviews. Though even if one is required, as you said if she is unable to travel the visa office may allow her to reschedule.

In her case she could have her application processed in Vienna (processes Serbian citizens) or in Abu Dhabi (processes resident of UAE). You can request in a cover letter which office you prefer but ultimately it's CIC's choice which of these visa offices they will send the app to. You should check the threads dedicated to each site, to get a better understanding of processing times and how often applicants are called to interviews.