Please help! Visitor status expiring soon, prepping for PR application

[amikety]

Awesome! Yes I found her website, she seems very interesting

I suppose we could just offer proof. I'll see; I just hope the FBI application is enough if we can't schedule the medical exam in time; I want to send this off as soon as possible! Starting to get paranoid (again): when calculating a 6-month stay, do you have to count exactly 180 days from the date of entry into Canada? Or just 6 months? He entered the country on November 30, 2012, so I'm not sure which day his visitor status technically expires. Until a few minutes ago I kind of assumed May 30 (or would it be May 31? or sooner than that?).

It's 180 days. That's why its best to apply 30 days ahead of expiration. If you're a few days off (28 instead of 30) it's okay. It will keep you in the clear. But don't worry, as long as you apply before it runs out, that is all that matters.

The VRs will list an expiration date, so there is no confusion.

 

[amikety]

Oh and don't worry too much about proof. I didn't offer any for my first two VRs other than financial support (paystubs) from my husband! It was a suggestion - not a requirement.

 

[poeticaesthetic]

Thanks a bunch--we'll get this all together and have it sent out very soon. Registered mail.

I have a question about PR I might as well ask now...since I'm sponsoring my husband, is it required that I serve as his financial support? I was under the impression that it was, and that I don't need to be making much money, but that I should provide proof of support, no matter how small, to avoid them having concerns. I am planning to get a job here but that's no simple task for me...if I don't get one soon, can we still apply for his PR with the financial support from our parents, and have that be sufficient? Or do you think that will cause problems? This is my major concern right now, but I guess if I'm better off having a job first, it might come down to us waiting until I have one to send in the application...which I guess means we'd probably have to renew his status again.


By the way, amikety, what are the spreadsheets in your signature for?

 

[amikety]

It's required you show a plan of support. Having a job/making a lot of money isn't a requirement. You can use what income you do have, support from family (again), and also CIC will consider his ability to work. If you don't have a high income, just have your parents write another letter. You can write one too, telling CIC how you will support yourselves. You can talk about your schooling and career plans, plus jobs he's qualified to work. The only thing you can't do is collect social assistance.

They are PR application spreadsheets. We track people's progress through the process. I have Ottawa (mostly American, but not all) and January 2013 Outland PR applicants - only people that volunteer to join. (And some people never come back to update, so it's not always complete.)

 

[poeticaesthetic]

It's required you show a plan of support. Having a job/making a lot of money isn't a requirement. You can use what income you do have, support from family (again), and also CIC will consider his ability to work. If you don't have a high income, just have your parents write another letter. You can write one too, telling CIC how you will support yourselves. You can talk about your schooling and career plans, plus jobs he's qualified to work. The only thing you can't do is collect social assistance.

They are PR application spreadsheets. We track people's progress through the process. I have Ottawa (mostly American, but not all) and January 2013 Outland PR applicants - only people that volunteer to join. (And some people never come back to update, so it's not always complete.)

Thanks amikety. I suppose as long as we have a strong plan of support my not having a job shouldn't really hinder things, then? I just thought I needed one since as his sponsor I have to sign the undertaking/commitment to support him for 3 years...which seems hard to prove if the financial support he would have (at the time of application, anyway) isn't technically mine. If I don't have a job by then I suppose could explain to them my work experience and what my plans are. I just hope I wouldn't be lowering our chances in any way.

And just to clarify: for an outland app, we use THIS application package: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/fc.asp

...and NOT this one: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/spouse.asp

Correct? I just want to make sure. The way they talk about inland and outland is so confusing. They really make it seem like if your spouse is staying in Canada with you, you have to apply inland. Also, do we send everything together in the same envelope for outland?

 

[amikety]

It looks like the right forms. They do get confusing. Plus they update without notice all the time!

All CIC wants to see is your spouse won't need welfare/social assistance in the first 3 years. How you manage doesn't matter as long as you meet that goal. If you'll be living with family point that out too. There are plenty of full time students who sponsored a spouse without a job.

 

[poeticaesthetic]

It looks like the right forms. They do get confusing. Plus they update without notice all the time!

All CIC wants to see is your spouse won't need welfare/social assistance in the first 3 years. How you manage doesn't matter as long as you meet that goal. If you'll be living with family point that out too. There are plenty of full time students who sponsored a spouse without a job.

Thanks, that eases my worries. We're not living with family but they're helping pay for our living expenses.

I realize I probably should double-check the status of his police record check before mailing this off. I just tried, but they kept me on hold for quite a while (and of course I'm being charged long-distance) so I left a message. They did charge my credit card on May 7 but nothing in the mail yet. Do they normally charge you right when they're finishing up? I'm worried they may have sent it to our previous address (we just moved on April 28, less than a month ago) even though we faxed them a change of address form a week before the charge appeared (I took that to mean they received the form in time, but maybe not? The fax definitely went through). I tried once before to ask about the status/address change before we moved but they never called me back. I have contacted my previous landlords about it but heard nothing yet...I'm guessing if they threw it out or something we'd have to obtain a new copy of the fingerprints and apply all over again, huh? I hope it doesn't come to that. If it does he's going to need more than 14 months.

Oh--and I never thought about it this way before, but can I be a representative for my husband? I'm not sure if that's possible; I always thought it was just for lawyers or maybe friends/family who happen to work in fields where they can give legal advice (I don't). I just do most of the paperwork for him so I want to be able to discuss his application(s) with whomever if I can, so he doesn't have to. I know some forms have a section for release of information to an individual as well, but I don't think this one does.

And one last thing: the checklist asks for Stamped Receipt (IMM 5401) to be included...but if I pay the fees online, the printed receipt is all I need, right? Also, is it alright if I use his mom's credit card info to pay? That was the plan, but I noticed there will be a 'payer information' section to fill out...she doesn't have to sign that, does she? If she does, she can't, so I might have to pay it myself.

 

[amikety]

You can be the representative if you'd like, although that's usually left up to lawyers. You'll be the one to get AOR and Sponsor Approval, so you'll have the File Number. As long as you know the File Number, his date of birth, last name, and country of birth, you can access his file anyway...... not that I'm adovcating anything here.... just saying.... (I log in as my husband.) As the sponsor, you'll be able to do things like call the Call Centre and ask about the application or email the VO to ask about the application. No worries there.

Generally, they don't charge it unless they made an ID and printed up the report. I don't know for sure because I used a money order to pay mine. It could take 2-3 weeks to get to Canada (boo). If they can't read the prints, they don't return the card, just send you a letter. Personally I used a service with a "guarantee" so when I had mine re-done, it was free.

Yes, you just print out the receipt CIC produces online. (Don't worry about "Copy 2" because there is no Copy 2 with online payment.) You can use her credit card. That's fine. She might want to call her bank and give them heads up about a large charge from Canada though.

 

[poeticaesthetic]

You can be the representative if you'd like, although that's usually left up to lawyers. You'll be the one to get AOR and Sponsor Approval, so you'll have the File Number. As long as you know the File Number, his date of birth, last name, and country of birth, you can access his file anyway...... not that I'm adovcating anything here.... just saying.... (I log in as my husband.) As the sponsor, you'll be able to do things like call the Call Centre and ask about the application or email the VO to ask about the application. No worries there.

Generally, they don't charge it unless they made an ID and printed up the report. I don't know for sure because I used a money order to pay mine. It could take 2-3 weeks to get to Canada (boo). If they can't read the prints, they don't return the card, just send you a letter. Personally I used a service with a "guarantee" so when I had mine re-done, it was free.

Yes, you just print out the receipt CIC produces online. (Don't worry about "Copy 2" because there is no Copy 2 with online payment.) You can use her credit card. That's fine. She might want to call her bank and give them heads up about a large charge from Canada though.

Thanks, good to know. This is just the $75 charge so far though. The fees for the PR will have to be paid later.

I think the fingerprints should be fine (I would hope); we used a professional service and everyone there was very helpful re: giving us info about applying for PR; the guy who did them used to work for CIC. So hopefully there was no issue with that. And hopefully the letter didn't get lost/thrown out by the old landlords. Worst case scenario we try again and have to extend his status one more time (which might happen anyway, depending on how the processing goes). Annoying, but I think I need to let that go :

I guess we won't bother with the representative thing then. That's one less form to fill out

 

[amikety]

I've heard the representative thing can be a pain if you ever want to cancel it. CIC isn't the best at updating addresses. It would be less painful going to the spouse rather than a lawyer though. Can you imagine you've had a falling out with the law office and your COPR goes there.... ugh!

When you do your PR, pay all fees together up front. You have the option of paying the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) later - don't. It will delay your application!

 

[poeticaesthetic]

I've heard the representative thing can be a pain if you ever want to cancel it. CIC isn't the best at updating addresses. It would be less painful going to the spouse rather than a lawyer though. Can you imagine you've had a falling out with the law office and your COPR goes there.... ugh!

When you do your PR, pay all fees together up front. You have the option of paying the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) later - don't. It will delay your application!

Thank you. I will remember that. I'm a little confused on the fees now, as previously I thought we were applying inland, but now we're going outland. Does that make for more or less in fees? What are the fees for outland (for sponsor and spouse)?

 

[amikety]

Thank you. I will remember that. I'm a little confused on the fees now, as previously I thought we were applying inland, but now we're going outland. Does that make for more or less in fees? What are the fees for outland (for sponsor and spouse)?

As far as I know they are the same, $1040 for the whole caboodle. The only difference with Inland is if you also applied for an open work permit and had to pay that fee too. That's more because of the extra application though.

 

[poeticaesthetic]

As far as I know they are the same, $1040 for the whole caboodle. The only difference with Inland is if you also applied for an open work permit and had to pay that fee too. That's more because of the extra application though.

Thanks. It's too bad you can't apply for the open work permit with outland, though I suppose it makes sense...kind of (the rules on outland still seem contradictory to me). It would really be nice if he could have that while he's here, but I guess that's the sacrifice we make for getting to process the application faster.

We sent his application for extension on May 23. I believe his status expires on the 29. I sent it registered mail and the tracking says it's in transit and normally arrives within 3-7 business days. Even if it's not there by the 29th, though, the postmark is all that matters, right?

Thanks so much for all your help. I'll probably start a new thread for assistance with the PR application soon. This forum is a lifesaver.

 

[amikety]

Yes, as long as they get it!