Inland vs Outland advice

[JamesBarnes]

Good morning everyone!

I’d like some advice if possible. While on an IEC visa in Ottawa. I met a Canadian guy, we dated for a few weeks and continued the relationship after the IEC expired and I had to return to the UK.

We’re now due to get married in Ottawa on the 27th March 2019. I’m looking for some advice/clarification as to which route to take for sponsorship.

My understanding is that for Inland, I need to be in Canada on an existing visa. I don’t have any options for a work visa so I would have to come in on a visitor visa. If we decide to go inland, am I correct in thinking that I can apply for a work permit at the same time as spousal sponsorship?

My questions are:

How long roughly does it take to get your work permit? I know the PR process is about a year. My employer from my IEC has said they will happily rehire me at any point. They just can’t provide an LMIA. I’m concerned about how long I would be in Canada unable to earn any money.

Would it be best to apply for a visitor visa before I go in March or can I just marry while on holiday? I currently have a valid eTA

As I’m currently working in the UK would be more sensible to go through the Outland route instead?

Thanks everyone!

 

[kcward7]

Good morning everyone!

I’d like some advice if possible. While on an IEC visa in Ottawa. I met a Canadian guy, we dated for a few weeks and continued the relationship after the IEC expired and I had to return to the UK.

We’re now due to get married in Ottawa on the 27th March 2019. I’m looking for some advice/clarification as to which route to take for sponsorship.

My understanding is that for Inland, I need to be in Canada on an existing visa. I don’t have any options for a work visa so I would have to come in on a visitor visa. If we decide to go inland, am I correct in thinking that I can apply for a work permit at the same time as spousal sponsorship?

My questions are:

How long roughly does it take to get your work permit? I know the PR process is about a year. My employer from my IEC has said they will happily rehire me at any point. They just can’t provide an LMIA. I’m concerned about how long I would be in Canada unable to earn any money.

Would it be best to apply for a visitor visa before I go in March or can I just marry while on holiday? I currently have a valid eTA

As I’m currently working in the UK would be more sensible to go through the Outland route instead?

Thanks everyone!

No one can tell you which route to take, it's a personal decision. You are allowed to enter Canada as a visitor for up to 6 months. Here's a summary of key differences:

Inland: both applicant and sponsor must be inside Canada at the time of submission. You can apply for the OWP alongside the inland application. The OWP however is part of a pilot program that they have not announced they are renewing (mind you, they always wait until the last minute to do so). It takes 3 to 4 months to receive. Travel outside of Canada is not recommended on an inland application - if you are denied re-entry by CBSA, you application will be abandoned. That said, many applicants have taken short trips with no issues (pending you meet admissibility requirements you should be granted re-entry, but never guaranteed). There is no appeal option on the inland application. Inland applications are processed consistently at the 11 to 12 month mark.

Outland: applicant and sponsor can be living inside Canada (as long as the sponsor is a citizen of Canada. If the sponsor is a PR, they must remain in Canada to sponsor), living apart internationally, living together internationally. Travel is fine. If you're inside Canada you must maintain valid status throughout processing (like having a valid visitor visa). There is no OWP option. There is an appeal option if denied. Outland processing generally tends to be faster than inland, but not always, and falls under the same 12 month processing target.

 

[Serenn7]

Hi - sounds like we're in a pretty similar situation! My boyfriend is Canadian, we are currently in Asia and it's hard to make a decision on inland vs outland. I'm not looking forward to staying home all day on inland until the work permit comes in, but also not looking forward to waiting for maybe one year on outland.

I was hoping to move to Canada in January, get settled and stay for about one month, and then do some traveling to a cheap tropical country while I wait dor OWP but I read everywhere that its not recommended (as said above) but I cant really figure out why or what the Canadian gov expects me to do for 4 months waiting on this work permit! As volunteer work is also mostly illegal in Canada on a visitor visa.

 

[kcward7]

Hi - sounds like we're in a pretty similar situation! My boyfriend is Canadian, we are currently in Asia and it's hard to make a decision on inland vs outland. I'm not looking forward to staying home all day on inland until the work permit comes in, but also not looking forward to waiting for maybe one year on outland.

I was hoping to move to Canada in January, get settled and stay for about one month, and then do some traveling to a cheap tropical country while I wait dor OWP but I read everywhere that its not recommended (as said above) but I cant really figure out why or what the Canadian gov expects me to do for 4 months waiting on this work permit! As volunteer work is also mostly illegal in Canada on a visitor visa.

They expect you to wait patiently, unfortunately. A requirement of the inland application is that you have to be inside Canada. Short trips are generally ok, but certainly no guarantees there.

 

[JamesBarnes]

They expect you to wait patiently, unfortunately. A requirement of the inland application is that you have to be inside Canada. Short trips are generally ok, but certainly no guarantees there.

Is there a max wait time for the OWP? Could it take as long as the PR or is it always guaranteed to be within 3 to 4 months of the initial application?

 

[kcward7]

Is there a max wait time for the OWP? Could it take as long as the PR or is it always guaranteed to be within 3 to 4 months of the initial application?

Not guaranteed, it's not even guaranteed that they will renew the program year over year. The average is 3 to 4 months and it has been pretty consistent, pending you're in status when you apply.

 

[Serenn7]

Not guaranteed, it's not even guaranteed that they will renew the program year over year. The average is 3 to 4 months and it has been pretty consistent, pending you're in status when you apply.

Wow so many insecurities!

Thanks for all your answers - very helpfu. Is it generally advised to be honest when you arrive as a visitor in Canada at the border? Or to just say that youre visiting and then to apply for PR?

 

[kcward7]

Wow so many insecurities!

Thanks for all your answers - very helpfu. Is it generally advised to be honest when you arrive as a visitor in Canada at the border? Or to just say that youre visiting and then to apply for PR?

Rule of thumb is don't offer information that is not asked for but never lie.