Moving from third country, visa not issued yet...?

[spikehades]

I am currently in Japan. My visa request was sent in July 2013 - no update since.

My spouse is Canadian and I am from the U.K, my visa office is the Philippines office.

We both leave Japan in April, and the plan is to go to Canada on a tourist visa until the visa is issued.

I s this a good idea? We are not married, if I go back to the U.K or stay in Japan whilst she is in Canada will that negatively effect my application considering separation issues?

Is it acceptable to change my address to a Canadian one with the Philippines office? Or will they transfer the application to Canada?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Rob_TO]

I s this a good idea? We are not married, if I go back to the U.K or stay in Japan whilst she is in Canada will that negatively effect my application considering separation issues?

No there is no problem. Many apps have 1 spouse living in Canada and the other living elsewhere during processing.

Is it acceptable to change my address to a Canadian one with the Philippines office? Or will they transfer the application to Canada?

You can change your home/mailing address to a Canadian one no problem. Your visa office will stay as Manila, and in case any interview is required it will be based on your country of residence at time of application, so would be in Japan. Though of course interview is rare unless you have some red flags in your case.

If you change your address to Canada, then once your PR is approved Manila will simply mail your COPR directly to Canadian address, and you can do your PR landing at closest USA land border.

 

[spikehades]

Thanks for your reply. I suppose what I wan to decide is should I got to Canada on a tourist visa, or should I stay in Japan or go to the U.K?

If I separate from my spouse, I'm assuming that they would need to new addresses?

 

[Rob_TO]

Thanks for your reply. I suppose what I wan to decide is should I got to Canada on a tourist visa, or should I stay in Japan or go to the U.K?

If I separate from my spouse, I'm assuming that they would need to new addresses?

Yes wherever you move, you will need to update your home/mailing address with Manila office.

I assume your spouse's sponsorship was already approved from CPC-Mississauga, and your app was forwarded to Manila in July 2013?

 

[spikehades]

That's correct. I still haven't had an update on status apart from the received status. I'm going to do a an access to information request to see if i can get more information. We don;t want to separate and have 4 months remaining together in Japan. If I go to Canada, will I have to have an outward flight to show that I leave canada after my tourist visa expires?

 

[Rob_TO]

That's correct. I still haven't had an update on status apart from the received status. I'm going to do a an access to information request to see if i can get more information. We don;t want to separate and have 4 months remaining together in Japan. If I go to Canada, will I have to have an outward flight to show that I leave canada after my tourist visa expires?

Most Manila apps seem to take around 8-12 months, so you are in a normal range still. Best to check up in the Manila thread on this site, to see others recent experiences and timelines.

If you come to Canada as a visa-exempt visitor, you will typically get a 6-month visitor status. It's always good to have proof of an outbound flight in less than 6 months later. Sometimes they ask to see this, sometimes they don't care.

Just make sure you NEVER use the words "moving" or "living" when asked about why you are visiting Canada. Until you get PR, you are only a visitor. You can also state you have an outland PR app in progress and show proof of this, and mention you want to wait out the process in Canada as a visitor.