Outland Processing and Visa Office Centres for US Outland appliations

[puzzled101]

Hi,

My husband is currently in the US and we have prepared his application via the outland route. I'm just waiting for police clearance certificates to arrive and then we'll file his application. He's currently on a H1 (work visa in the US) and is afraid that his job may be affected/ eliminated due to his company laying off people. We are just concerned that in case he is affected by this, he may have to come to Canada since I'm a citizen. Would this situation impact his file's processing? He may have to come and stay with me while his file is being processed instead of going back home until his file is processed in case he loses his job. He currently holds a three year visitor visa to Canada.

I was planning to put Ottawa for the nearest visa office on the forms. Would this be fine regardless of the fact that he may be impacted?

We're just concerned and I was looking for some advice.

Thanks!

 

[rhcohen2014]

If his work visa in the US is valid for more than a year, then yes, he can ask to have his applicaiton processed where us applications are processed. Visa offices aren't chosen because it is "closer", i'm not even sure what that means. US applications are processed at OTTAWA, and whether it goes there is up to CIC. There is a chance it could be processed based on his nationality. Also, something to keep in mind is that some applicants who are in the us on a visa have longer processing times than us citizens. It also seems to be one of the reasons an application is sent to LA, though it can't be confirmed. Only time will tell where CIC decides to process the application.

That being said, being on a work visa in the US doesn't automatically make him visa-exempt in Canada. Whether he can easily travel to canada would depend on where he is from, and whether he needs a visa to enter canada. If he is visa exempt, it will be easier for him to cross, though he needs to never look or act like he plans to live there and bring all of his belongings. Until he is approved for PR, he can ONLY enter as a VISITOR. It's important for PR applicants to be able to prove their ties to their home country (or current country of residence) to avoid issues at the border. The best ties are employment and housing. Once in, he can then apply to extend his stay, and request 12 months to help him get through the process. If he requires a visa, then it may be more difficult for him to obtain a visa to visit canada while he has an application submitted.

Either way, for application purposes, CIC doesn't much care about whether the applicant is employed or not. If he gets laid off, it's not going to negatively affect his application.

 

[puzzled101]

Hi,

Thank you so much for all this information. We had his medicals and police clearance from the US and have pretty much prepared his application for the outland track. He already had a Canadian visa that was issued for 3 years so that would cover him for an entry into Canada in case he gets laid off. He also has family in the US, where he can keep most of his belongings so that it doesn't seem like he's moving everything which would raise questions at the border. From what I understand so far, an interview can be waived, in which case he wouldn't even have to appear at Ottawa or his home country. What if in the event he gets laid off and then comes to Canada as a visitor and somehow has an interview at a visa office in the US. The likelihood would be Ottawa or a city in his home country but I'm wondering if this would be of any concern when it comes to getting a visa. My guess then would be that he would have to go to his home country to get a US visa in case he has an interview at a Canadian consulate in the US? What are the odds of that happening. I know that this can be random and is decided by CIC.

Would you be able to advise on this?

Thanks!

 

[rhcohen2014]

Hi,

Thank you so much for all this information. We had his medicals and police clearance from the US and have pretty much prepared his application for the outland track. He already had a Canadian visa that was issued for 3 years so that would cover him for an entry into Canada in case he gets laid off. He also has family in the US, where he can keep most of his belongings so that it doesn't seem like he's moving everything which would raise questions at the border. From what I understand so far, an interview can be waived, in which case he wouldn't even have to appear at Ottawa or his home country. What if in the event he gets laid off and then comes to Canada as a visitor and somehow has an interview at a visa office in the US. The likelihood would be Ottawa or a city in his home country but I'm wondering if this would be of any concern when it comes to getting a visa. My guess then would be that he would have to go to his home country to get a US visa in case he has an interview at a Canadian consulate in the US? What are the odds of that happening. I know that this can be random and is decided by CIC.

Would you be able to advise on this?

Thanks!

All US interviews are held in LA, not Ottawa. If a file is flagged for an interview, then it's transferred to the LA office. Most US applictaions are waived the interview, and again this can't be guaranteed.

If he has a visa for canada, then there wouldn't be an issue with him traveling to and from canada. if you are called in for an interview, you will have time to prepare for it. There is no way to determine if you will get marked for an interview or not. Something to be aware of is that the "trend" suggests those applying through the US who are in the us on a work visa DO get pulled for an interview. Again, this doesn't mean this always happens. No on can really tell you your "chances". It is up to CIC.

Getting the actual visa isn't going to be a problem. CIC will send it to whichever address he writes in his application. Even if the application goes to his home country, he does not need to be living there to have the visa sent to him. If he can't get into the US for any potential interview, then that will be an issue, and you may want to consider using his home country as a visa office.