Sponsorship PR application - Inland vs Outland paperwork?

[David132]

Am I correct in assuming that the of paperwork you get from this page:
cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/sponsor/spouse-apply-how.asp#step1
...the first link (If your spouse, partner or accompanying dependent child lives with you in Canada, use the Application for Permanent Residence in Canada—Spouse or Common-law Partner.) is inland and the second link (If your spouse, partner or dependent child lives abroad, use the Application to Sponsor a Member of the Family Class.) is outland? Or is it all the same paperwork and what matters is where you send it to?
The second link has a "regional" section for a region I won't be in since I'll be here in Canada, including "desired interview" cities. In the US.

Thanks much, getting ready to finalize everything here!

 

[midnightmav]

You are correct Inland and Outland forms are different. There are some similarities in the forms, but the paperwork is different so you need to download the correct set. Plus sending it to the correct address, like you say.

You can actually apply inland or outland (even if you are in Canada). Inland is generally slower and it is not advised that you leave the Canada while your application is in process. Outland is faster and you can travel freely, you may be required to go home for an interview however.

Hope that helps! Goodluck.

 

[Leon]

You are correct in which paperwork is for inland and for outland and you can still apply outland even though you are in Canada. Downside however is that if they require an interview, you will have to go there. The advantages of outland though is that it is usually faster.

 

[David132]

Alright, thanks. There seems to be a decent amount more paperwork for Outland application, is that correct? I assume it's because it's meant for the host and the applicant to be in different places?

Also, if I file via Outland, am I able to leave/enter the country if needed? I don't have any plans to, but I know for Inland at least that's a huge no-no.

 

[midnightmav]

I began applying Inland, but wound up applying Outland in the end. It seemed about the same amount of paperwork. I had to leave the country so Outland worked best for me and Yes it is advised that you don't leave while applying Inland.
Processing times will also depend on where you are from?

 

[David132]

I'm from the states. I don't foresee any reason to need to leave the country, and if it's "safer" to apply inland (safer meaning less chance we'd be separated) we'd rather do it that way - even if it does take a bit longer. Any idea how much of a time difference it is?

 

[journeyman]

I believe it takes a year or more than an outland application. Others can confirm.

One more thing to take into consideration though is with an Outland application, if PR is denied for some reason you do have a right of appeal. With and Inland application there is no appeal process.

 

[David132]

So... with outland, if I have to leave the country and then come back and get denied entry for whatever reason, does the PR app get thrown out? Or affected at all?

 

[kelKel]

Chances of them denying you at the border when you have proof of an application in process are slim. If you have all the proper paperwork with you (copy of application, reciept ect) you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[kelKel]

...and if for some reason they decided to be awful and they refused you entry the application would continue to be processed as usual. What if you had an emergency where you had to leave?

 

[midnightmav]

As far as I know, they won't just throw out your application in either case. It's more likely if you apply Inland and you leave the country for whatever reason, that you may have trouble getting back in.

Regardless of whether you travel, if your application for any reason is denied, like journeyman says, Outland you have the right of appeal, Inland, you have to wait and then apply again.

However if you DO have time and are happy to stay in Canada for a year or so, Inland is will be fine. You can check out processing times here:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/index.asp

It is pretty convoluted, all the best.

 

[Leon]

If you leave Canada and for any reason are denied entry to get back, if you had an outland application in process, it will keep on processing but an inland under the same circumstances would stop processing because the criteria for inland is that you are in Canada.

One problem with inland is that if they question something with your application and decide they want an interview, depending on how busy your local CIC office is, you could be waiting 1-3 years to get that interview, during that time unable to work, get health care or leave but you would at least be together. If you had similar problems with outland and needed an interview, it will also delay your application although never that amount of time and you could go back to your home country and work if money is tight without losing your application.

When you are from the US where the outland processing time is relatively short, I don't think it makes much sense to apply inland unless you are pregnant and can not travel if you are asked to go to the states for an interview.

 

[David132]

Alright, sounds like outland is the way to go for sure then.

Another question; I'm planning on getting my medical done today. We haven't actually filed our PR/Sponsor app yet; is this a good idea? Or should I wait until we've filed and they request it to go get it done? I'd hate to have the medical results get lost since I haven't actually filed for PR yet. I'm also currently past the date on my passport stamp - I've applied for an extension and have implied status at the moment, but they need to see my passport for the medical and I'm hoping they don't see the date and question it since I don't really have any paperwork to show them saying I've applied for an extension.

 

[midnightmav]

Alright, sounds like outland is the way to go for sure then.

Another question; I'm planning on getting my medical done today. We haven't actually filed our PR/Sponsor app yet; is this a good idea? Or should I wait until we've filed and they request it to go get it done? I'd hate to have the medical results get lost since I haven't actually filed for PR yet. I'm also currently past the date on my passport stamp - I've applied for an extension and have implied status at the moment, but they need to see my passport for the medical and I'm hoping they don't see the date and question it since I don't really have any paperwork to show them saying I've applied for an extension.

It's a really good idea to get it done now- just make sure they forward it to the correct place (depends on inland or outland). It is also a good idea to pay ALL the fees before you send it too, some people wait to send part of the fees, but it really speeds up the process if all your medicals, police checks and payments are included when you send the whole package.

 

[journeyman]

Another question; I'm planning on getting my medical done today. We haven't actually filed our PR/Sponsor app yet; is this a good idea? Or should I wait until we've filed and they request it to go get it done? I'd hate to have the medical results get lost since I haven't actually filed for PR yet.

I asked this same question of the CIC call centre. They responded that the medicals would go to Ottawa (the RMC for US) and be held pending sponsorship approval and then a request by Buffalo when they start processing your file.

We did the medicals in February of this year, the application was submitted to CPC-Mississauga in April, and the rest took care of itself. At some point they must internally match the medicals to your File #. We never had to contact CIC. All went well.

I agree that getting the medicals done, the FBI clearance and prepaying all fees so that a complete application is submitted goes a long way to speeding up the process.