Processing Times and the waiting game.

[SKtoCA]

Hello,

My SO just applied for her permanent residence with me as the sponsor (wish us luck!)

I now notice that the processing times for INLAND applications are 11 months just for the initial assessment and then another 8 months for the background/medical checks. Wow. While we are waiting for this application to process her Visa will expire this July (student visa). Is it okay for her to apply for another student visa while her PR is being processed?

On a side note, does anybody know why the Inland Applications take significantly much longer than the Outland ones? I would have thought it would be the other way around. (It's like we're being punished for staying in Canada )

Also since it takes 19 months for her application to fully process, what if we move? Or get different phone numbers? Do we just contact the Call Centre and tell them?

Thanks!

 

[bethfaint]

Is your SO still going to be a student? If so then yes apply for another student visa. If not and she wishes to work you should have sent an application for an OWP (Open Work Permit) along with your PR application. This gets porcessed once you have passed first stage approval. If you applied for this before her student visa expires she would be on implied status also (meaning she can work/study whilst her appplication is in process even if her old visa expired).

If you move etc you can change your address online with the CIC when you check your application status. If you included your email address with your application they will use that to send you updates/ask for more information etc rather then Canada Post as it takes forver via that whereas email is immediate.

I agree, it's like 'hey you are already in Canada lets make the process twice as long for you.' Can't wait to leave the country, yeah you can't leave the country (you or your SO) until the process is complete. YAY!

 

[SKtoCA]

Is your SO still going to be a student? If so then yes apply for another student visa. If not and she wishes to work you should have sent an application for an OWP (Open Work Permit) along with your PR application. This gets porcessed once you have passed first stage approval. If you applied for this before her student visa expires she would be on implied status also (meaning she can work/study whilst her appplication is in process even if her old visa expired).

If you move etc you can change your address online with the CIC when you check your application status. If you included your email address with your application they will use that to send you updates/ask for more information etc rather then Canada Post as it takes forver via that whereas email is immediate.

I agree, it's like 'hey you are already in Canada lets make the process twice as long for you.' Can't wait to leave the country, yeah you can't leave the country (you or your SO) until the process is complete. YAY!

Thank you Beth. Yes, she will still be a student, so I guess she'll have to apply for another visa. She did not apply for a OWP (Open Work Permit) with the PR application. However, after her next student visa expires she will be done school. Will she then have to apply for a work permit/visa?

Also - My SO and I cannot leave Canada while the PR is being processed? Even though I'm a Canadian citizen I shouldn't leave Canada? According to the CIC we are allowed to leave, but she may not be allowed back in unless she has a valid visa/permit. I assume she'll be allowed re-entry if her study visa is still valid when she returns to Canada. (We may want to go on a vacation this summer)

 

[bethfaint]

If her student visa is still valid then yes you can leave the country. I was assuming she would be on implied status. You need to have a reason to be let in.

You have certain restrictions when sponsoring someone. You have to be in Canada for a certain amount of time I belive during the process. Someone else might know better than me about this. My husband is a Canadian citizen and we both didn't leave (just in case!).

Also depending on how long her student visa is for, if its for another year and you have sent your application already you shouldnt need to get an OWP as her student visa will be valid for the entire process. If it does expire and you havent got second stage approval you can then apply for a OWP once first stage approval (mine took 10.5 months) comes through.

 

[QuebecOkie]

My understanding about outland being faster (in many but by no means all cases) is that the people who apply outland are usually waiting to be reunited with their families. Those of us applying inland at least already have our spouses by our side through the long wait.

 

[mikeymyke]

The reason inland takes longer, is because the applicant will be in Canada already, as opposed to outland.