Temporary Visitor Stuffs and PR

[Cowboyprinzessin]

Hello all,

I reside in Alberta and have been here for nearly four months. Basically I came into Canada and married a Canadian Citizen. He is obviously my sponsor...we have submitted my application for PR as well as an Open Work permit to the immigration office at Vegreville, AB. We have NOT been contacted by immigration at all yet, and we expect that it will take some months before we hear anything.

My Visitor Visa is going to expire in June. I understand that I supposedly have "Implied Status" while waiting for a decision from Immigration...but here's the problem:

I assume that--since it will be awhile before they even acknowledge receipt of my PR application, that I must extend my Visitor visa in order to cover the lapse in time of not having a status at all? (The period between my Visa expiry and Vegreville actually opening/acknowledging receipt of my application.) I am also assuming that I will need to do this regardless since my Alberta health card expires when my Visitor visa expires in June--Or, does the fact that I am married to a Citizen trump this?

I have read that because we are eligible for Family Class sponsorship, I can apply from within Canada and I won't be expected to go back to the US to await a decision--this IS correct, right? Because I have no intention of parting with my hubby for any reason!

Thanks all!

J

 

[Regina]

Alberta health card expires when my Visitor visa expires in June--Or, does the fact that I am married to a Citizen trump this

You will need to get a private health Insurance I suppose.

Concerning you first question, again IMHO, you need to apply for extension of your visitor visa based on the fact that you are in a process of getting PR.

However, I suggest your husband and you go to a lawyer. Usually lwayers charge nothing at the first meeting.

 

[Cowboyprinzessin]

Thanks for writing.

Yes, I am covered by private insurance through my husband's work. Still waiting for my visa extension response--basically just sent it in and am waiting for a response!

Lawyers...bleh. Tried one of those and got hosed for $400 for nothing. We've handled it on our own thus far to varying degrees of success.
Thanks again!

 

[Rob_TO]

we have submitted my application for PR as well as an Open Work permit to the immigration office at Vegreville, AB. We have NOT been contacted by immigration at all yet, and we expect that it will take some months before we hear anything.

When did you submit the app? Several months ago the rules changed so all inland apps should be mailed to CPC-Mississauga, not Vegreville. So if your app did go to Vegreville, there may be some added delay for them to re-send it on to CPC-M.

Also did you submit an Open Work Permit app along with your inland application? This is what usually give you "implied" status, not the inland app itself.

I am also assuming that I will need to do this regardless since my Alberta health card expires when my Visitor visa expires in June--Or, does the fact that I am married to a Citizen trump this?

You should check the rules with Alberta health care. If you require a valid visitor status/visa to be included under your husbands provincial health plan, then you should make sure to renew is. Or ask them if just having an inland application in progress makes you eligible.

Note that if you were to lose Alberta provincial coverage, you may also then be ineligible for your husband's private employer health plan. Some require you hold provincial coverage as well... but each company is different.

However, I suggest your husband and you go to a lawyer. Usually lwayers charge nothing at the first meeting.

They don't need a lawyer.

 

[Ponga]

You will need to get a private health Insurance I suppose.

Concerning you first question, again IMHO, you need to apply for extension of your visitor visa based on the fact that you are in a process of getting PR.

However, I suggest your husband and you go to a lawyer. Usually lwayers charge nothing at the first meeting.

Since she included an OWP with her Inland sponsorship application, why would she need to also extend her visitor status? Since AOR basically translates to the day that CIC receives the application...as long as her status was still legal on that day, the OWP gives her implied status...right?

 

[canuck_in_uk]

I am also assuming that I will need to do this regardless since my Alberta health card expires when my Visitor visa expires in June--Or, does the fact that I am married to a Citizen trump this?

AHCIP doesn't generally recognize "Implied Status" but there is the possibility that you could get a one-time extension of your coverage to carry you through until you receive your OWP.

http://www.health.alberta.ca/AHCIP/temporary-residents.html

AHCIP coverage does not continue with CIC “implied” status

A designation by CIC of “implied” status does not qualify you to maintain your AHCIP coverage. A new Canada entry document is required for your coverage to continue.

While waiting in Alberta for a new work*, study* or visitor* permit, or confirmation of permanent residency, you may be eligible for a one time only temporary extension of health care insurance coverage.