Thread For applications Through SYDNEY (AUSTRALIA) Office

[Netkid]

I did it! The boy went fishing so I took advantage of the spring forward and went down to Sumas first thing this morning. I'm a permanent resident! I got a little teary when my awesome border officer said these words. Took less than an hour; drove straight to a booth on US side, waited 25 min to get back into Canada (and that was with an officer cutting me back into the line up), 10 min on Canadian side and I was driving away a Canadian! So happy it's all over with, good luck to everyone waiting!

Congratulations!
Relatively straight forward it seems! Do you have to deal with importing any belongings now?

 

[benjis_monikuss]

Congratulations!
Relatively straight forward it seems! Do you have to deal with importing any belongings now?

Very much so, only had my US booth man tell me that because no one removed my US waiver when I last travelled back into Canada it looks like I overstayed in the states for 6 months but it's a common mistake because it's written in small print on the back of the waiver that you must hand it back in before expiry, and really, who reads small print anymore? =P Not a big deal as my last passport stamp is entry into Canada in 2012 and nothing since then, so as long as I don't have any issues going back to the states (as I have quite a few friends down there) it'll be all good.

No goods to import as I have been here for 3 years so I've already established a life in Canada and anything I brought over was declared in 2010. I was able to just tell them I was there to flagpole for PR and they knew what I was talking about so it was all gravy!

 

[torvic]

I did it! The boy went fishing so I took advantage of the spring forward and went down to Sumas first thing this morning. I'm a permanent resident! I got a little teary when my awesome border officer said these words. Took less than an hour; drove straight to a booth on US side, waited 25 min to get back into Canada (and that was with an officer cutting me back into the line up), 10 min on Canadian side and I was driving away a Canadian! So happy it's all over with, good luck to everyone waiting!

Congrats! Very good to hear. Funny you mention the visa waiver. I pulled mine out before we crossed over, just to avoid any issues regarding that whole "must be given up when you leave" nonsense. Everything's done on computers nowadays, I don't see why that stupid bit of paper matters. Ah well, we're on the right side of the border now!

Thats awesome Torvic! 3 months start to finish. It's over!!!

Thanks, it's definitely a big relief for both of us. Can't believe it went as quickly as it did.

 

[benjis_monikuss]

And right now I'm sitting in Service Canada so I can change SIN and (hopefully) MSP. The lamest part of this whole process, half an hour wait and counting...

 

[Thestylemaster]

And right now I'm sitting in Service Canada so I can change SIN and (hopefully) MSP. The lamest part of this whole process, half an hour wait and counting...

You can change your SIN? All part of the fun I guess.

 

[benjis_monikuss]

You can change your SIN? All part of the fun I guess.

As a worker you get issued a SIN starting with 9 that means you are temporary. Once you land you must change it and they take the 9 off for you!

 

[MrJB]

I sent mine application by courier to the Mississauga office today! Now the wait begins! Where is the part where you alter it so dates show up on your profile?

 

[Netkid]

Go to the profile at the top in the blue bar - there are lots of cool options!

 

[benjis_monikuss]

I sent mine application by courier to the Mississauga office today! Now the wait begins! Where is the part where you alter it so dates show up on your profile?

Welcome, congrats! Now the waiting starts.

 

[yokies]

Hey, I am new to this process and I'm hoping to get some insight on others who may have applied that were in similar situation. I know I can make an Outland application based on doing a search on this forum but I am not sure on how the process works.
I am an Australian in Canada on the iec program. I also read that when you put an application through the disadvantage of applying Outland would be the interview, if they request one it would be in Australia.
At any point do I hAve to leave Canada? If they approve the sponsorship and permanent residency do I need to be out of Canada? I have read also about passports, does Sydney need to have my passport in order to issue me a visa or can that be done in Canada? I know these answers are probably somewhere in this thread but it's so long it's hard to filter the information I require. I'm getting nervous because I haven't put an application through yet and I don't know if I'll be able to stay in Canada with my partner before my visa expires. Any information would be much appreciated! Thank you

 

[benjis_monikuss]

Hey, I am new to this process and I'm hoping to get some insight on others who may have applied that were in similar situation. I know I can make an Outland application based on doing a search on this forum but I am not sure on how the process works.
I am an Australian in Canada on the iec program. I also read that when you put an application through the disadvantage of applying Outland would be the interview, if they request one it would be in Australia.
At any point do I hAve to leave Canada? If they approve the sponsorship and permanent residency do I need to be out of Canada? I have read also about passports, does Sydney need to have my passport in order to issue me a visa or can that be done in Canada? I know these answers are probably somewhere in this thread but it's so long it's hard to filter the information I require. I'm getting nervous because I haven't put an application through yet and I don't know if I'll be able to stay in Canada with my partner before my visa expires. Any information would be much appreciated! Thank yous

When does your current IEC expire?
-you can stay in Canada the whole time your Outland app processed but you MUST maintain status.
-if Sydney requests an interview it will only be held in Sydney. Interviews are rare if cases have no red flags.
- if you are an Aussie citizen then you are visa exemp so Sydney will only require scans of you passport or confirmation that it's the same as the copy you'll send in.

 

[yokies]

Thanks for the quick response! My visa expires early nov. 2014.
If you could clarify what it means by the same as what I will be sending in in respect to the passport thing. I am an Australian citizen. Do I need to send my passport to Sydney by post at any point? Maybe I am not clear on the permanent resident thing. Do they issue some type of document once you are approved for PR. I got confused with some people talking about crossing borders and coming back in. Thank you!

 

[benjis_monikuss]

Thanks for the quick response! My visa expires early nov. 2014.
If you could clarify what it means by the same as what I will be sending in in respect to the passport thing. I am an Australian citizen. Do I need to send my passport to Sydney by post at any point? Maybe I am not clear on the permanent resident thing. Do they issue some type of document once you are approved for PR. I got confused with some people talking about crossing borders and coming back in. Thank you!

Are you applying for PR through family class? Do you have a spouse or common law that's sponsoring?
Right now Sydney is processing applications at an unprecedented rate so if you apply early enough there is the possibility that you could have PR before your current visa expires.

When you are approved as a PR they will mail you a document called a COPR; confirmation of permanent residency and this needs to be taken with you to a port of entry to land. Outland can either make an appointment at a CIC office or you can cross the border/ flagpole.

Because you are visa exempt you shouldn't have to physically send your passport, they'll only request scans. When you submit your application, a clear colour photocopy of your passport photo page is requested, in most case a passport request will just ask you to confirm that your details haven't changed from the scan they'll have in their possession.

 

[yokies]

Thanks for the clarification!
Yes I do have a common law spouse who will sponsor me.
I just don't know how quickly I can have all the documentation ready. I just requested for my national police search as well as I need a drivers history since I'm from Victoria. I originally wanted to apply through CEC but looks like my work experience isn't skilled even though its for a professional company . I am also hoping that the application process would all happen before my visa expires as I have a job until the end of the year and I won't be able to work without a visa too. This is so stressful! but reading this forum has gave me more insight and I'm glad I have read about outland applications too because I would have never thought about going via this route. Thanks again for your reply!

 

[Thestylemaster]

Thanks for the clarification!
Yes I do have a common law spouse who will sponsor me.
I just don't know how quickly I can have all the documentation ready. I just requested for my national police search as well as I need a drivers history since I'm from Victoria. I originally wanted to apply through CEC but looks like my work experience isn't skilled even though its for a professional company . I am also hoping that the application process would all happen before my visa expires as I have a job until the end of the year and I won't be able to work without a visa too. This is so stressful! but reading this forum has gave me more insight and I'm glad I have read about outland applications too because I would have never thought about going via this route. Thanks again for your reply!

Definitely go through Sydney! Get your police and driving records ordered ASAP and start building up your evidence for your relationship, bills, FB messages, bank accounts etc, and get your meds done! Anything that can prove you've been in a normal relationship for over a year. Get the application forms done, check them thrice, and get them in ASAP, registered express post everything! Going by the recent timelines you'll make it comfortably before Nov!