Thread For applications Through SYDNEY (AUSTRALIA) Office

[Kiwikiwi]

Also if any one can fill me in what happens once PR is approved? I currently can only work for the employer who has sponsored me, but i have recently set up a company and i want to become an employee of it and i would like to know how long i have to wait before i can switch employment?

 

[freezing_aussie]

I need some help. The penny dropped today that I have overstayed my 6 month visa waiver period. We travelled to the US in April and returned to Canada at the end of that month. This means that I needed to leave at the end of October. We've been preoccupied with other stuff and we only just realised this now, which is rather stupid. Does anyone have any advice for how to proceed? What might our options be? We are a very long way from a border, so leaving the country generally requires pricey flights.

 

[matthew_fitzy]

Kiwi x2, from what I understand, you are currently living and working in Canada? As far as I know, if you are already in Canada and working whilst being sponsored you are going to have to wait until your S2 approval comes in at which time you will have to leave the country and return for the visa to be processed. Looks like you will fit into the spreadsheet somewhere roughly between Andy A and BCRain.

I could only imagine that a low range conviction in NZ that would pass as no offence in Canada and should not matter if you successfully obtained previous work permits? Then again, they may look at it as irresponsible yet minor. That is only a wild guess though as I really have no idea how they operate when it comes to circumstances like this.

 

[chipits]

I need some help. The penny dropped today that I have overstayed my 6 month visa waiver period. We travelled to the US in April and returned to Canada at the end of that month. This means that I needed to leave at the end of October. We've been preoccupied with other stuff and we only just realised this now, which is rather stupid. Does anyone have any advice for how to proceed? What might our options be? We are a very long way from a border, so leaving the country generally requires pricey flights.

Can you apply for restoration of status? I'd look into that, first and foremost.

Otherwise, it's either drive or fly to the border. You definitely don't want to overstay in Canada while the PR app is in process, now that you've realized you've done so, you need to fix it ASAP!

 

[chipits]

Kiwi x2, from what I understand, you are currently living and working in Canada? As far as I know, if you are already in Canada and working whilst being sponsored you are going to have to wait until your S2 approval comes in at which time you will have to leave the country and return for the visa to be processed. Looks like you will fit into the spreadsheet somewhere roughly between Andy A and BCRain.

I could only imagine that a low range conviction in NZ that would pass as no offence in Canada and should not matter if you successfully obtained previous work permits? Then again, they may look at it as irresponsible yet minor. That is only a wild guess though as I really have no idea how they operate when it comes to circumstances like this.

I'm really curious as to how the law works in this case. Does Canada look at the fact that New Zealand convicted him for an offence that exists in Canada, but that he would not have been charged with in Canada due to a difference as to how the specifics of the offence work? Did kiwi break a provincial law, and if so, would Canada still look at it the same way? Who knows? I doubt it'll be too much of a problem at all, I'm just curious as to how the law processes this.

 

[rachiy]

Hey Kiwikiwi,
I have added your details to the spreadsheet. Thanks for contributing!

Freezing_aussie,
You are so close to PR that it is really hard to say whether you should sit tight and risk it, or risk it by bringing your lack or status to the attention of CIC. Seeing as you are so far from a border I would suggest that you apply for a restoration of status either online or via snail mail. The processing times are usually slow enough that you should have PR by the time they get around to your application. I am not sure where that leaves you in the meantime, but at least you have done something.
Maybe its worth a consult with a lawyer to get their opinion?

 

[freezing_aussie]

Thank you chipits and rachiy for your helpful advice. I spent a lot of time researching this today and after much frustration on the CIC website (what a surprise) I also came across the restoration of status avenue on the forums. I'm so grateful, yet again, for the collective wisdom of the forum. If I was relying on CIC-produced information, I would be lost.

In case anyone else needs this info in the future, IMM 5558 (document checklist) and IMM 5708 are the documents to fill out. This is the same form that would be used to extend your stay before you actually overstay (by far the best route). The application fee is $200. The word is, however, that the forms are processed very slowly. The time frame I've seen mentioned is 16 weeks. Ironically, it's quite possible that I will get the PR before the application to restore my status is processed.

The good news seems to be that as long as I submit a complete application, I can stay in the meantime (implied status). I intend to submit this ASAP. I've never, ever overstayed anywhere in my life. I'm mortified!

 

[rachiy]

Thank you chipits and rachiy for your helpful advice. I spent a lot of time researching this today and after much frustration on the CIC website (what a surprise) I also came across the restoration of status avenue on the forums. I'm so grateful, yet again, for the collective wisdom of the forum. If I was relying on CIC-produced information, I would be lost.

In case anyone else needs this info in the future, IMM 5558 (document checklist) and IMM 5708 are the documents to fill out. This is the same form that would be used to extend your stay before you actually overstay (by far the best route). The application fee is $200. The word is, however, that the forms are processed very slowly. The time frame I've seen mentioned is 16 weeks. Ironically, it's quite possible that I will get the PR before the application to restore my status is processed.

The good news seems to be that as long as I submit a complete application, I can stay in the meantime (implied status). I intend to submit this ASAP. I've never, ever overstayed anywhere in my life. I'm mortified!

I accidentally overstayed too. The imm consultant that my previous employer used never submitted my restoration papers after my WP was denied mid 2010. At the time it was taking CIC 5 months to process and I waited most of the 90 days grace period they gave me after refusal before submitting. I was told the app was sent in and to wait, but when the time came for me to receive my visitor record the consultant told me she never sent it in!!! At this point I had a positive LMO and was ready to get my new WP so was horrified that I had overstayed by about 7 months and jeopardised future PR and WP's. It all worked out in the end and I have had two WP's since then and no problems re-entering Canada, but it was terrifying at the time.
On the plus side, I did get the $275 refunded to me as the application was never processed (or received!).

 

[figgy]

does anyone know if they send the COPR by regualr mail or registered mail (ie- we have to sign for it)

my boyfriend got an email yesterday saying the decision has been finalized and they are returning his passport to our address and was sent yesterday. BUT.... we never mailed in the passport, we simply scanned and emailed it to them and also they wrote our postal code wrong!!! the last number of it was wrong and now I am so worried it will not arrive.

they also had our apartment # wrong too, but I cleared that up with them... whoever writes these emails from sydney is not very careful with copying the address from our files, where it is correct!

i am also wondering about signing for the letter becasue we are away until january 5th and I am hoping it doesn't arrive when we are away. just can't wait for this to be done! i think i'm getting grey hair!

good luck to everyone waiting

 

[chipits]

Don't worry about the postal code being wrong, my sister in law from Australia has often sent ours to the ENTIRELY wrong postal code (ie. something along the lines of VS7 B78) and things still get there fine. As long as the address is fine, it'll get there.

 

[bagelbagel81]

It should be fine, figgy. I have written my postcode completely wrong at times.

Speaking of Immigration not being careful, the AUstralian Immigration office was the same with my fiance's Australian PR confirmation letter.

It addressed him as 'MISS SHAMOON'... whoever that is?! Hahah pretty funny - especially as it was written in CAPS.
Anyway it didn't affect his PR luckily!

 

[matthew_fitzy]

Not happy - haven't seen any updates in a while! There was a whole batch 3-6 December - lets get another batch going CIC!

 

[jen123]

hello,
thanks for all the info everyone. It looks like Sydney is taking about 6 months at the moment if they have all documents, are people finding this to be true?
Hope so cause I bought plane tickets home in April.
Yes some news would be good.
could you please add me to the spreadsheet.
Filed: September 19, 2012
Sponsor approval: October 26, 2012
Thank you!

 

[rachiy]

hello,
thanks for all the info everyone. It looks like Sydney is taking about 6 months at the moment if they have all documents, are people finding this to be true?
Hope so cause I bought plane tickets home in April.
Yes some news would be good.
could you please add me to the spreadsheet.
Filed: September 19, 2012
Sponsor approval: October 26, 2012
Thank you!

Thanks for your input! I have added you to the spreadsheet.

Good luck. R.

 

[figgy]

happy new year everyone!
just returned from holidays and still no COPR in the mail. they sent it december 17th but there has been so many holidays so we will wait a couple weeks before we email them and hopefully they will send it again! I guess it does take a while from sydney to toronto so we should just be patient

anyone else have any news or has it been quiet on the sydney front?