+1(514) 937-9445 or Toll-free (Canada & US) +1 (888) 947-9445

Inland vs Outland (US citizen)

Smarties17

Star Member
Oct 31, 2018
56
9
Hi all, I've been reading thread after thread about Inland vs Outland as it pertains to being able to travel outside Canada while the application is being processed. Long story short, my fiance (Canadian citizen) and I (US Citizen) will be getting married in March. If we applied inland, I would also apply for an OWP at the same time. I have read that the OWP gives you "implied status" and in some sense, shows border officials that your INTENT is to live and work in Canada while the app is being processed. I know that no one here can remotely guarantee i'll be granted re-entry but I just wanted to get your seasoned opinion on the subject. My question is; I would like to be able to come back to the US once every 2 months for a 3-4 day stay to visit with family. Having an OWP and briefly leaving Canada as described above, what is the likely-hood that I could be denied re-entry and/or it would kill the application? AND, would I have to re-apply for an OWP at the POE every time I re-entered?

Some posts/articles I've read are older and I know the rules change from time to time. Ive read some that said its absolutely possible to travel outside Canada, some say its a risk no matter what, etc etc, so I just wanted to hear all your thoughts

Thanks everyone
 

fjmeer

Star Member
Aug 27, 2018
65
2
Hi all, I've been reading thread after thread about Inland vs Outland as it pertains to being able to travel outside Canada while the application is being processed. Long story short, my fiance (Canadian citizen) and I (US Citizen) will be getting married in March. If we applied inland, I would also apply for an OWP at the same time. I have read that the OWP gives you "implied status" and in some sense, shows border officials that your INTENT is to live and work in Canada while the app is being processed. I know that no one here can remotely guarantee i'll be granted re-entry but I just wanted to get your seasoned opinion on the subject. My question is; I would like to be able to come back to the US once every 2 months for a 3-4 day stay to visit with family. Having an OWP and briefly leaving Canada as described above, what is the likely-hood that I could be denied re-entry and/or it would kill the application? AND, would I have to re-apply for an OWP at the POE every time I re-entered?

Some posts/articles I've read are older and I know the rules change from time to time. Ive read some that said its absolutely possible to travel outside Canada, some say its a risk no matter what, etc etc, so I just wanted to hear all your thoughts

Thanks everyone
Received this response from them:


Good day,

Thank you for contacting Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. As discussed, you will find below complementary information to our conversation:

Leaving Canada during processing to sponsor a spouse, common-law partner in Canada

After mailing the application, it is recommended that the sponsored person remains in Canada until the application isapproved. If they choose to leave Canada, an officer will need to ask them questions to ensure they meet all requirements before allowing them to re-enter Canada and avoid having their application considered as abandoned due to their absence.

If the sponsored person plans to travel outside Canada during the application process, or if they have not been allowed to return to Canada after leaving the country:

  • if a sponsorship application from inside Canada was already submitted, a request to withdraw that application should be sent and approved by the CPC in Mississauga before a new application is submitted.
Should you require more information on sponsoring a spouse or common-law partner, please visit our website.”

Hope this helps
 

Torablack

Star Member
Sep 18, 2018
100
42
Category........
FAM
Visa Office......
Mississauga
Also...have you compare the time frame of both? I have seen on a Facebook spousal group that an outland application from an American pr applicant took only 3 months for approval. I have also seen inland apps in the same situation being approved in 5 months. I guess the question is how fast do you need your PR status. All the best!
 

Smarties17

Star Member
Oct 31, 2018
56
9
Received this response from them:


Good day,

Thank you for contacting Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. As discussed, you will find below complementary information to our conversation:

Leaving Canada during processing to sponsor a spouse, common-law partner in Canada

After mailing the application, it is recommended that the sponsored person remains in Canada until the application isapproved. If they choose to leave Canada, an officer will need to ask them questions to ensure they meet all requirements before allowing them to re-enter Canada and avoid having their application considered as abandoned due to their absence.

If the sponsored person plans to travel outside Canada during the application process, or if they have not been allowed to return to Canada after leaving the country:

  • if a sponsorship application from inside Canada was already submitted, a request to withdraw that application should be sent and approved by the CPC in Mississauga before a new application is submitted.
Should you require more information on sponsoring a spouse or common-law partner, please visit our website.”

Hope this helps
It does but it does, this territory seems to be a bit of a grey area. I'm honestly considering asking the border officials next time I visit just to get their take on it.
 

Smarties17

Star Member
Oct 31, 2018
56
9
Also...have you compare the time frame of both? I have seen on a Facebook spousal group that an outland application from an American pr applicant took only 3 months for approval. I have also seen inland apps in the same situation being approved in 5 months. I guess the question is how fast do you need your PR status. All the best!
The faster the better either way to be honest. If I had any level of confidence that if I submitted my PR app outland in March and it would be approved before the end of 2019, id probably not consider doing inland. Our application will be pretty straight forward so I think it will be quicker than normal but I think 3-5 months is a bit overly optimistic
 

np08

Hero Member
Jan 13, 2015
898
356
Category........
FAM
Visa Office......
Mississauga, OT
App. Filed.......
Feb 09, 2018
AOR Received.
Mar 07, 2018
Med's Request
Aug 8, 2018
Med's Done....
Aug 13, 2018
LANDED..........
Dec 18, 2018
Americans generally have fast outland processing times and often complete the whole process in around 6 months. You can still stay in Canada with your spouse as a visitor while your application is being processed outland and you can come and go as you please. You just can't apply for a work permit if applying outland.

Generally, if you're concerned with completing the process as fast as possible, outland is the way to go for an American.
 
Feb 16, 2021
16
0
Hi

I and my fiance' are not sure whether we should apply for inland or outland spousal application. My fiance' wants me to move to her with TRV intend to marriage and then apply for inland spousal application.

Can we apply again as outland spousal application after inland spousal application is refused?

Thanks