Inland vs Outland

[mjarvela]

My husband and I have been married three years and have a 2 year old together. He lives in Canada and I live in usa. He hasn't been able to sponsor us to Canada from USA yet because I was in a long court battle with ex. We finally got that resolved.

My lease is up in June and I want to move there then put in the sponsorship paperwork. I don't want to stay in the states for another year for it to process. Can I do that?

Also, I need to be able to go back to the States to give my son to his dad for his custody visits.

So, do I move in July and put in the sponsorship for INLAND, and according to posts, it might be hard for me to travel back and forth?

Or do I start the process now as OUTLAND, AND can I move to Canada in July even if everything hasn't been approved on a visitor visa and finish application in Canada so that it allows me to travel??
Help!

 

[canuck_in_uk]

My husband and I have been married three years and have a 2 year old together. He lives in Canada and I live in usa. He hasn't been able to sponsor us to Canada from USA yet because I was in a long court battle with ex. We finally got that resolved.

My lease is up in June and I want to move there then put in the sponsorship paperwork. I don't want to stay in the states for another year for it to process. Can I do that?

Also, I need to be able to go back to the States to give my son to his dad for his custody visits.

So, do I move in July and put in the sponsorship for INLAND, and according to posts, it might be hard for me to travel back and forth?

Or do I start the process now as OUTLAND, AND can I move to Canada in July even if everything hasn't been approved on a visitor visa and finish application in Canada so that it allows me to travel??
Help!

Apply outland now. There is a good chance you will be done by July. If not, you can come to Canada as a vistor while the app finishes.

 

[mjarvela]

Okay great. You confirmed my suspicions. I also called the border people after I had posted this and they said the same thing. For anyone going through the same thing....

She said it would be best to start the process now and once we are issued the permanent resident cards, maybe 3 months or so, come July I can move with my stuff to Canada because it'll show we have an active application in the system with an APPROVED residency card. And then it also allows me to travel to and from States.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Okay great. You confirmed my suspicions. I also called the border people after I had posted this and they said the same thing. For anyone going through the same thing....

She said it would be best to start the process now and once we are issued the permanent resident cards, maybe 3 months or so, come July I can move with my stuff to Canada because it'll show we have an active application in the system with an APPROVED residency card. And then it also allows me to travel to and from States.

Expect 6 months for the PR app to be approved and another few months after tlanding for the PR card to arrive.

You can't import all of your stuff until you land as a PR. If you try to bring it before becoming a PR, you have a good chance of being refused entry. If allowed entry with your stuff before PR, you will have to pay taxes/duties.

Once you are a PR, travelling back and forth is no issue. As a visitor, regardless of having an app in process, you can be refused entry.

 

[canuck78]

Just checking that you are a US citizen or at least from a visa-exempt country.

 

[mjarvela]

This is amazing stuff. Thanks!

I'm an American citizen! I always travel by car to Canada so I wouldn't be flying at all. Apparently it's harder that way?

 

[canuck78]

This is amazing stuff. Thanks!

I'm an American citizen! I always travel by car to Canada so I wouldn't be flying at all. Apparently it's harder that way?

Nope not harder. It is important that you can't move your stuff until you gain PR. Up to that point you still remain a visitor.

 

[mjarvela]

Does that mean I can't move into Canada without the actual card PR or approval is enough?

My only concern now is how long to renew my lease for....you said it could take 6 months for PR CARD or longer... And if I ended my lease at 6 months, got approved for pr but don't have the physical card for another few months.... Should I stay longer than June or they'll let me into Canada with my stuff knowing I've been approved?

 

[canuck78]

Does that mean I can't move into Canada without the actual card PR or approval is enough?

My only concern now is how long to renew my lease for....you said it could take 6 months for PR CARD or longer... And if I ended my lease at 6 months, got approved for pr but don't have the physical card for another few months.... Should I stay longer than June or they'll let me into Canada with my stuff knowing I've been approved?

No you don't need to wait for a PR card. Approval is fine but you need your landing papers not just approval on your online account. You can either land by land or by air with your COPR document. Because you are. a US citizen you can actually fly back into Canada without your PR card if you don't have it and you can enter by land with a copy of your landing documents (COPR).

Do you have the option of going month to month after being in your rental for over a year? Not sure if your state has a similar law or how much notice you must give in your state. It is hard to recommend a time frame.

 

[mjarvela]

Ok. I think I got it. Typically how long does it take to get landing papers? I'm assuming that's different than the pr card?
my lease is up in February so I haven't technically renewed it yet but I was looking to do it till the end of the school year which is June 25. I'm thinking maybe I should renew to the end of summer to be safe? it's just that I wanted my kid to start the new school year in Canada.

 

[canuck78]

Ok. I think I got it. Typically how long does it take to get landing papers? I'm assuming that's different than the pr card?
my lease is up in February so I haven't technically renewed it yet but I was looking to do it till the end of the school year which is June 25. I'm thinking maybe I should renew to the end of summer to be safe? it's just that I wanted my kid to start the new school year in Canada.

The COPR is what gets received after approximately 12 months. Think there are good chances your kids will start the school year in Canada if you apply soon. PR card is really just a travel document.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Does that mean I can't move into Canada without the actual card PR or approval is enough?

My only concern now is how long to renew my lease for....you said it could take 6 months for PR CARD or longer... And if I ended my lease at 6 months, got approved for pr but don't have the physical card for another few months.... Should I stay longer than June or they'll let me into Canada with my stuff knowing I've been approved?

The PR app will be approved.
You will receive the COPR in the mail.
You will land in Canada and become a PR, at which point you can bring all of your stuff.
You will receive the PR card a few months after landing.