Spousal sponsorship: Outland application Help please!

[Carmellosolorio]

Hello!

Ok so my wife wants to sponsor me. I am a U.S Citizen and she is a Canadian Citizen. I am currently here as a visitor and we want to apply for sponsorship (outland) because it has faster processing times (34days) opposed to if we applied inland which will take 8-9 months, possibly longer. I have been here for a month and a half and i also want to extend my stay and get permanent residence and also a work permit so i can work legally. What forms would i need to send? I know i need to send the Family Class Sponsorship application (outland application) and also a work permit/extend stay application, but are there any other forms i need to send? Please help. Thank you!

 

[Zarilenth]

Hello!

Ok so my wife wants to sponsor me. I am a U.S Citizen and she is a Canadian Citizen. I am currently here as a visitor and we want to apply for sponsorship (outland) because it has faster processing times (34days) opposed to if we applied inland which will take 8-9 months, possibly longer. I have been here for a month and a half and i also want to extend my stay and get permanent residence and also a work permit so i can work legally. What forms would i need to send? I know i need to send the Family Class Sponsorship application (outland application) and also a work permit/extend stay application, but are there any other forms i need to send? Please help. Thank you!

The first step is 34 days, but the second step can take up to 15 months if you're using the Ottawa office. Also, if you're applying Outland, you cannot get a Open Work Permit, unless you already already qualify for a work permit. For that you'd need an LMO (labor market opinion) from an employer that is willing to hire you - they have to prove they cannot hire a Canadian for the same job. For a simple outland application you just need the Family Class Sponsorship application which covers the applicant, and the sponsor.

 

[scylla]

The first step is 34 days, but the second step can take up to 15 months if you're using the Ottawa office. Also, if you're applying Outland, you cannot get a Open Work Permit, unless you already already qualify for a work permit. For that you'd need an LMO (labor market opinion) from an employer that is willing to hire you - they have to prove they cannot hire a Canadian for the same job. For a simple outland application you just need the Family Class Sponsorship application which covers the applicant, and the sponsor.

There's a chance OP might not need an LMO if the job qualifies under NAFTA.

 

[Rob_TO]

If you apply outland you would be processed first in Mississauga for stage 1 (sponsor) which takes around 1 month, and then in Ottawa visa office for stage 2 (applicant). Current processing times in Ottawa are in the 8-10 month range. There is no OWP with an outland app, so you could work after getting full PR and getting your SIN. Else need to see if you can work based on NAFTA, SWAP or LMO.

An inland app stage 1 is done in 8-9 months, only AFTER which you can apply for an OWP. Then inland stage 2 can take another 8 months or so, but you could work while waiting on stage 2.

 

[Zarilenth]

There's a chance OP might not need an LMO if the job qualifies under NAFTA.

Ah that's true too.

 

[Carmellosolorio]

Ah that's true too.

How many stages are there for the Inland application? It seems like the inland application is the better way to go even though it takes longer.

 

[Zarilenth]

How many stages are there for the Inland application? It seems like the inland application is the better way to go even though it takes longer.

There are two stages for each. Although you do get an open work permit for the inland app, sometimes the outland app is completed before the first stage of outland. You should go to the CIC website to read about them!

 

[Carmellosolorio]

There are two stages for each. Although you do get an open work permit for the inland app, sometimes the outland app is completed before the first stage of outland. You should go to the CIC website to read about them!

Really? Hmm I just want to get this done asap becuas pretty soon here i will be running out of funds and i will eventually be in need of work. I am not very computer savvy and i find the CIC website confusing. If its not too much trouble would you be able to send me links to each of those so i can read about them? Thank you sooooo much!

 

[Zarilenth]

Really? Hmm I just want to get this done asap becuas pretty soon here i will be running out of funds and i will eventually be in need of work. I am not very computer savvy and i find the CIC website confusing. If its not too much trouble would you be able to send me links to each of those so i can read about them? Thank you sooooo much!

Here are the application processing times for each Outland, and Inland - for inland you need to scroll down:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/perm-fc.asp

For the Outland app, you need to click on what says 'View by visa office' and it'll tell you how long the second half of your application will take. Neither route will get your application done asap, but if you're goign to run out of funds I would suggest staying in the States and working, and applying outland. You can still come and visit/spend some time here with your spouse. If you applied inland you're guaranteed at least 8 months of not being able to work, but then you can work with an OWP after that, for the rest of your application, unless you qualify for a work visa under a different category, like other people here have mentioned.

 

[Carmellosolorio]

For the Outland app, you need to click on what says 'View by visa office' and it'll tell you how long the second half of your application will take. Neither route will get your application done asap, but if you're goign to run out of funds I would suggest staying in the States and working, and applying outland. You can still come and visit/spend some time here with your spouse. If you applied inland you're guaranteed at least 8 months of not being able to work, but then you can work with an OWP after that, for the rest of your application, unless you qualify for a work visa under a different category, like other people here have mentioned.
[/quote]

Thanks! You have been really helpful. One more questions before i let you go.. If i apply inland am i allowed to leave Canada or do i need to stay here. Also if i am allowed to leave Canada how soon can i come back?

 

[Carmellosolorio]

For the Outland app, you need to click on what says 'View by visa office' and it'll tell you how long the second half of your application will take. Neither route will get your application done asap, but if you're goign to run out of funds I would suggest staying in the States and working, and applying outland. You can still come and visit/spend some time here with your spouse. If you applied inland you're guaranteed at least 8 months of not being able to work, but then you can work with an OWP after that, for the rest of your application, unless you qualify for a work visa under a different category, like other people here have mentioned.


Thanks! You have been really helpful. One more questions before i let you go.. If i apply inland am i allowed to leave Canada or do i need to stay here. Also if i am allowed to leave Canada how soon can i come back?

 

[Zarilenth]

I'm not an expert on Inland apps (i'm applying outland) but I think you need to stay in Canada at least for the first stage of the application or you can be denied re-entry. I would go to one of the Inland threads and ask there (such as Inland Applications 2014)

 

[scylla]

Thanks! You have been really helpful. One more questions before i let you go.. If i apply inland am i allowed to leave Canada or do i need to stay here. Also if i am allowed to leave Canada how soon can i come back?

If you apply inland, the assumption is that you are going to remain in Canada for the duration. If you want to be able to leave Canada while your application is being processed, apply outland.

 

[skystride]

Here are the application processing times for each Outland, and Inland - for inland you need to scroll down:

For the Outland app, you need to click on what says 'View by visa office' and it'll tell you how long the second half of your application will take. Neither route will get your application done asap, but if you're goign to run out of funds I would suggest staying in the States and working, and applying outland. You can still come and visit/spend some time here with your spouse. If you applied inland you're guaranteed at least 8 months of not being able to work, but then you can work with an OWP after that, for the rest of your application, unless you qualify for a work visa under a different category, like other people here have mentioned.

Hello, I have been reading a few threads and it was seeming to me that Outland is the faster way to go. However, I just looked at Outland processing time for NYC and noticed it's really long. Do you think Inland would be the better approach in this case?
New York – United States 22 months

Also, I am wondering if she (my soon to be spouse) can get an OWP based on her field (health care) since I noticed this info on the govt site:

Ontario

Spouses, common-law partners and working-age dependants (aged 18 to 22) of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who return to work in Ontario in an academic or health care career can get an open work permit.

Thoughts?

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Hello, I have been reading a few threads and it was seeming to me that Outland is the faster way to go. However, I just looked at Outland processing time for NYC and noticed it's really long. Do you think Inland would be the better approach in this case?
New York – United States 22 months

Also, I am wondering if she (my soon to be spouse) can get an OWP based on her field (health care) since I noticed this info on the govt site

American apps are processed through Ottawa, averaging around 8-10 months right now. They are only transferred to NY or LA if there are red flags and CIC wants a more in-depth review or an interview.

For the Ontario pilot project you are talking about, it is the returning Canadian citizen or PR that must take up work in an academic or health care field, not the foreign spouse.