Outland application, while living inland?

[jbewing]

As the subject states, I'm currently "visiting" my wife in Canada, I have about three months before I'm required to go back to the USA, but we're starting the PR right now. Due to application times being MUCH faster for outland applications and we're in the Lower Mainland is there a way to do the outland application while still remaining here? Or do I need to actually have to be living in the US while everything is processed? Any help would be much appreciated and/or explanations.

 

[computergeek]

As the subject states, I'm currently "visiting" my wife in Canada, I have about three months before I'm required to go back to the USA, but we're starting the PR right now. Due to application times being MUCH faster for outland applications and we're in the Lower Mainland is there a way to do the outland application while still remaining here? Or do I need to actually have to be living in the US while everything is processed? Any help would be much appreciated and/or explanations.

Absolutely. Think of "outland" and "inland" as being related to where the VISA is issued, not where you are located. LOTS of people (me included) do an "outland" application when they are living in Canada (and I'm in downtown Vancouver).

US citizens have the easiest experience here - you'll find that once your PR application is in process, you'll be able to obtain a VR for the duration of the processing time.

Also, since you indicate you are in BC, note that you are eligible for MSP after your application is filed. You must provide them with proof that your application has been filed, but the rules in BC are really generous to spouses awaiting PR to be granted. See: http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/msp/infoben/pdf/covering-a-spouse-or-child-who-is-an-applicant-for-permanent-resident-status-in-canada.pdf.

Good luck! And enjoy our wonderful early fall weather.

 

[jbewing]

Absolutely. Think of "outland" and "inland" as being related to where the VISA is issued, not where you are located. LOTS of people (me included) do an "outland" application when they are living in Canada (and I'm in downtown Vancouver).

US citizens have the easiest experience here - you'll find that once your PR application is in process, you'll be able to obtain a VR for the duration of the processing time.

Just for clarification, on my application where it asks me to state of "Residence" do I need to put an American address (aka my parents) or can I put my current address here in BC?

Also, thank you so much, it's a relief to know BC is pretty good with Americans and PR

 

[parker24]

Just for clarification, on my application where it asks me to state of "Residence" do I need to put an American address (aka my parents) or can I put my current address here in BC?

Also, thank you so much, it's a relief to know BC is pretty good with Americans and PR

Residence is in the US, Mailing is your Canadian address

 

[computergeek]

Just for clarification, on my application where it asks me to state of "Residence" do I need to put an American address (aka my parents) or can I put my current address here in BC?

From what I can tell, it doesn't really matter. I put my BC address down for both mailing and residence. But if you have a US address, by all means, put that down as your residential address and BC as your mailing address - they're just going to mail you things anyway, not come to visit you.

Also, thank you so much, it's a relief to know BC is pretty good with Americans and PR

BC is much nicer to PR applicants than Ontario (where in Ontario a PR applicant gets NOTHING for health care until they have either AIP - for inland processing, or PR - for outland processing.)

One thing I should mention regarding the inland/outland thing. If you apply via the inland sponsorship route, the current processing time for sponsor approval is 10 months (and it seems to be on a decreasing trend) at which point you get an open work permit. The second stage (approval of you) seems to vary dramatically - I've seen people get second stage at the same time as first stage (so 10 months total) and others get it within a few weeks. Second stage still lists at 8 months.

Outland is a bit of a mess right now, with the closure of the Buffalo office (which handled ALL US applications at some stage in their life). The common advice is to apply outland because it is faster, but right now that's not nearly so clear - 2.5 months for first stage (and you get *nothing* at the end of sponsor approval for outland,) and then 12 months (for 80% of cases) for second stage. So it's 14.5 months (based upon the old Buffalo numbers) or 18 months (based upon the current inland numbers), with Outland increasing and Inland decreasing - not nearly as clear cut as it once was.

Also, last thing to keep in mind, if you want to find a job: the US and Canada have a cross-border agreement known as NAFTA. IF you qualify as a professional under NAFTA, finding a job in Canada is relatively easy. Otherwise, you have to find an employer willing to obtain an LMO to hire you. Perhaps this isn't an issue for you, I just know for many spousal PR cases the fact one spouse cannot work is a serious problem/issue for them. The Foreign Worker manual describes this in great detail (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/fw/fw01-eng.pdf).

Good luck!