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Outland Vs. Inland 2017. Which is better?

hilly

Newbie
Apr 21, 2013
8
0
Hello everyone. I am a US Citizen getting married to my Canadian fiance at the end of May. We have been talking to a lawyer to help figure out what is the best route for us to apply. Outland or Inland. For some reason he recommended inland. He said outland is taking 12 months or more and that inland would allow me to work and leave after about 4 months when I receive my work permit. After looking through this forum I have noticed a lot of American applicants are getting there PR status in about 6 months. Now here is my problem. I want to be able to work etc. but we will be fine if only he works for awhile. 2 months more of not working is fine if it takes a shorter amount of time. I am unsure why this lawyer seemed so insistent about the inland visa. If I stay in Canada as a visitor while waiting for the visa I'd like to be able to leave. We have several weddings etc. later this year that I'd like us to be able to attend in the states. If we do the inland I believe it's too risky to leave Canada for any reason whatsoever. Can anyone give me some advice about which visa is the best choice? Also any pointers on what to talk to my lawyer about would be greatly appreciated (he is an immigration lawyer in Canada).
 

canuck_in_uk

VIP Member
May 4, 2012
31,553
7,205
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hilly said:
Hello everyone. I am a US Citizen getting married to my Canadian fiance at the end of May. We have been talking to a lawyer to help figure out what is the best route for us to apply. Outland or Inland. For some reason he recommended inland. He said outland is taking 12 months or more and that inland would allow me to work and leave after about 4 months when I receive my work permit. After looking through this forum I have noticed a lot of American applicants are getting there PR status in about 6 months. Now here is my problem. I want to be able to work etc. but we will be fine if only he works for awhile. 2 months more of not working is fine if it takes a shorter amount of time. I am unsure why this lawyer seemed so insistent about the inland visa. If I stay in Canada as a visitor while waiting for the visa I'd like to be able to leave. We have several weddings etc. later this year that I'd like us to be able to attend in the states. If we do the inland I believe it's too risky to leave Canada for any reason whatsoever. Can anyone give me some advice about which visa is the best choice? Also any pointers on what to talk to my lawyer about would be greatly appreciated (he is an immigration lawyer in Canada).
Hi

Idiot lawyer, don't go back. Outland American apps average 4-6 months.

Biggest point: don't waste your money on a lawyer. The vast majority of us did this app ourselves. It is fairly straightforward; if the guides and checklists don't answer your questions, the people on this forum will.

Right now, outland is still pretty much always the best choice for an American.
 

hilly

Newbie
Apr 21, 2013
8
0
canuck_in_uk said:
Hi

Idiot lawyer, don't go back. Outland American apps average 4-6 months.

Biggest point: don't waste your money on a lawyer. The vast majority of us did this app ourselves. It is fairly straightforward; if the guides and checklists don't answer your questions, the people on this forum will.

Right now, outland is still pretty much always the best choice for an American.
Okay thanks! Is there a guide for dummies on here? or a link? :D I guess I can't really apply right now anyway but I like to know what I am getting myself into. Also, I know I technically can't bring all my stuff and our wedding gifts we will have gotten up there until I get my PR status. Any loop holes around that, I mean it's all his stuff too even though he doesn't live in USA.
 

Michelle1978

Member
Feb 28, 2017
17
0
It is true that outland is way quicker, inland is about 12 months (as of december), I did for my husband inland in december 15 and it was 24 months, we should be getting it soon. You can also do your outland application and still be in Canada.

The only positive on inland sponsorship : you can apply for an open work permit and use TRV's to travel in and out of CAnada. However the wait time to get open permit is 4 months, so you are better to do it inland if the wait time is 4 to 6 months for you. especially since you can be in canada with a TRV for the time waiting.

It is true that a lawyer is no use, if you do your research and follow the instruction guides and use forums like this you should be able to do it easily.
 

canuck_in_uk

VIP Member
May 4, 2012
31,553
7,205
Visa Office......
London
App. Filed.......
06/12
hilly said:
Okay thanks! Is there a guide for dummies on here? or a link? :D I guess I can't really apply right now anyway but I like to know what I am getting myself into. Also, I know I technically can't bring all my stuff and our wedding gifts we will have gotten up there until I get my PR status. Any loop holes around that, I mean it's all his stuff too even though he doesn't live in USA.
There is the application guide, which is pretty thorough. Start here http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/spouse.asp.

Anything else, you can just ask on here.

For the stuff, I would just wait until you are a PR and can then just bring it all without issue.


Michelle1978 said:
The only positive on inland sponsorship : you can apply for an open work permit and use TRV's to travel in and out of CAnada. However the wait time to get open permit is 4 months, so you are better to do it inland if the wait time is 4 to 6 months for you. especially since you can be in canada with a TRV for the time waiting.
OP is American and therefore doesn't even qualify for a TRV.
 

skyzee

Star Member
Dec 19, 2016
100
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Yes, the lawyers we had talked to insisted on going the inland route too, but after researching off this forum, we opted to go with Outland because of all the previous comments already made, and opted to do it ourselves. Don't regret it one bit.

I suspect lawyers will suggest inland option because a) there's less chance of denial, and b) it involves more $ for them since the process takes longer and they charge more also for the open work permit.
 

CDNPR2014

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Mar 1, 2016
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US outland applicants from Sept/Oct 2016 are currently getting their approval papers. It is a poor decision for any US citizen to apply inland. as others suggest, lose the lawyer and apply outland yourselves. if making money is that important for those 6 months, then stay in the US and work or find a remote job for a US employer you can do while visiting canada.
 

hilly

Newbie
Apr 21, 2013
8
0
If I am planning on driving to Canada and just bring a suitcase of clothing and none of my belongings for my "visit" while I am waiting for PR. How difficult is it to cross the border with my husband? I don't want to make the drive alone so I was planning on him flying here for our wedding for 2 weeks and then after we would drive from Los Angeles to Vancouver in my car. Even though I am a visitor there I would like to have my car to get around and see my Canadian family etc.
 

CDNPR2014

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hilly said:
If I am planning on driving to Canada and just bring a suitcase of clothing and none of my belongings for my "visit" while I am waiting for PR. How difficult is it to cross the border with my husband? I don't want to make the drive alone so I was planning on him flying here for our wedding for 2 weeks and then after we would drive from Los Angeles to Vancouver in my car. Even though I am a visitor there I would like to have my car to get around and see my Canadian family etc.
there's no issue driving your car to visit canada. they aren't going to be concerned when you have 1 suitcase. They get concerned when it looks like you are trying to move your entire life to canada before being approved, and they may ask for you to show ties to the us and proof of your PR application. None of this may not even come up when you cross. So don't offer the information, wait for them to ask for it.

We did the same thing after our wedding, and although it was very nerve racking, our experience at the border as a married couple applying for PR was quite different than when we were dating. they want to see you know the rules, and if you show them you do, they won't hassle you as much.
 

hilly

Newbie
Apr 21, 2013
8
0
CDNPR2014 said:
there's no issue driving your car to visit canada. they aren't going to be concerned when you have 1 suitcase. They get concerned when it looks like you are trying to move your entire life to canada before being approved, and they may ask for you to show ties to the us and proof of your PR application. None of this may not even come up when you cross. So don't offer the information, wait for them to ask for it.
I have never driven before so I was curious :). Lately every time I fly they never ask me any questions. I just use the machine and hand my passport and receipt the officer and they just let me go through.
 

CDNPR2014

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hilly said:
I have never driven before so I was curious :). Lately every time I fly they never ask me any questions. I just use the machine and hand my passport and receipt the officer and they just let me go through.
since you're going by car, you will be asked the standard questions at the primary window:
How do you know each other?
Who owns this vehicle?
Where are you going?
Where are you coming from?
How long do you plan to stay? (make sure to have a set date to give them that is LESS than 6 months. Personally, i'd keep it to 2-3 months out max - but i am over cautious because of my history. They don't like up in the air or long term answers.)

Depending on how the officer likes your responses, they will either let you go or send you inside to secondary.