Not sure what route to take

[WorkerInCanada123]

Hey everyone!

I am currently applying for PR via the Family Class Sponsorship program (common-law, my partner is Canadian). Up until recently, I had been dead set on applying outland, simply because of the faster processing. However, I recently checked the CIC application processing times online, and as it currently stands (and apparently as of December 2016), BOTH inland AND outland applications are estimated to take 12 months.

I was wondering if anyone who has applied for PR (with your spouse/common-law partner sponsoring you) AFTER December 2016 would be willing to share their processing times? I am interested in hearing about both inland and outland applications to help me decide which route to take!

Also, I was told that if I apply inland, I need to remain in Canada for the duration of the processing. Is this true? Or is it just until you receive the Open Wok

Thanks in advance, I really appreciate your help!
Jenna

 

[scylla]

Where are you from? Outland can take significantly shorter than 12 months depending on your country of origin.

You need to remain in Canada for inland.

 

[spousalsponsee]

Check the office or country specific thread spreadsheet for real life processing times - bear on mind that every visa office worldwide currently has the 12 month setting.

You are not specifically required to remain in Canada if you apply inland, but you do not have a right of entry to Canada - so if you leave and are refused re-entry, then your application can be deemed abandoned.

 

[WorkerInCanada123]

Thank you both.

I am from Australia. The processing time previously said 4 months, it now says 12 months. So for Australia the Inland and Outland application processing times appear to be the same.

Re: Inland - I currently I have a work permit until 2019 (I am sponsored by my employer). If I apply inland, could I not use that visa to enter Canada? Or even when I receive the Open Work Permit, would I not be able to re-enter with that? I just want the option to go back home and see my family if I need.

Also, is there a similar Google spreadsheet for the Inland applications to compare?

Thanks again!!

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Thank you both.

I am from Australia. The processing time previously said 4 months, it now says 12 months. So for Australia the Inland and Outland application processing times appear to be the same.

Re: Inland - I currently I have a work permit until 2019 (I am sponsored by my employer). If I apply inland, could I not use that visa to enter Canada? Or even when I receive the Open Work Permit, would I not be able to re-enter with that? I just want the option to go back home and see my family if I need.

Also, is there a similar Google spreadsheet for the Inland applications to compare?

Thanks again!!

Apply outland. The processing times are not accurate reflections of individual VOs. Sydney is a fast office averaging around 6 months.

A work permit is not a visa and neither guarantees entrance anyways. Unless a person is a Canadian citizen or PR, they do not have the right to enter Canada, so they can always be refused.

 

[spousalsponsee]

I am from Australia. The processing time previously said 4 months, it now says 12 months. So for Australia the Inland and Outland application processing times appear to be the same.

They're not. Every visa office was set a new 12 month target 8 months ago. The times published online are that target, not (yet) a reflection of reality.

Re: Inland - I currently I have a work permit until 2019 (I am sponsored by my employer). If I apply inland, could I not use that visa to enter Canada? Or even when I receive the Open Work Permit, would I not be able to re-enter with that? I just want the option to go back home and see my family if I need.

If you're Australian then you don't have a visa, and even if you did, a visa doesn't give you a right of entry. Until you are a PR or citizen, you will always be at risk of being refused entry.

Applying Outland - which is both quicker and lower risk, *and *gives the right of appeal if anything goes wrong, is a no-brainer for you, since you don't need the work permit which is the advantage of adopting inland.

 

[WorkerInCanada123]

Thank you - you have all been very helpful! I really appreciate it!