It's crunch time people! Advice needed!

[CaroM8]

Hi!

We sent in my husband's passport to the Mexico City VO on October 19th after receiving PPR, yay! We know it takes about 2-3 weeks to get it back.

Question is, my husband is currently in Canada on a visitor visa. His 6 months expire on November 17th. Do you think we will receive his passport back in time to do a flagpole before that expires?

Should we file for an extension just in case? I know we are last minute! Everything is happening all at once here, including the birth of our baby 3 weeks ago!

Alternative to flagpoling, I read somewhere that it's possible to set up a landing appointment instead? We are on the old "outland" application format. If it's possible to set up an appointment instead, is that something I can do now, or must I wait to get passport back? Or is flagpoling our only option..?

Thanks is advance! Sorry for rambling... sleep deprivation with a newborn is a real thing! haha

 

[KBH]

You can set up an appointment, but most people choose to flagpole if they live close to the border, because the wait time for an appointment can be multiple weeks (depending on where you are located).

If it were me, I would go ahead and prepare the visitor extension paperwork, but wait until November 12th to submit it. They say apply 30 days in advance, but technically you're fine to submit it up until the very last minute. That way you won't waste $100 in case he does get his passport back in time to flagpole before his visa expires.

Not sure if he is interested in citizenship, but if he goes out of status, those days he is out of status won't count towards his residency requirement. Whereas if he applies for an extension, they will. Sounds like it would only be a few days, but every bit of time helps for those who are eager to become citizens.

Good luck and congrats!

 

[bafonso]

If it's 3 weeks you would still have a week to spare. Have you contacted the mexico VO and told them about your situation? Maybe they can expedite or provide advice. Otherwise the extension fee is a small amount compared to the worry and hassle of someone asking why he was out of status for a few days if it comes up. Alternatively you could spend 100$ on airbnb for a few days in US if it's an option