TRV documents- A return ticket and marriage photos

[Rina9285]

Hi. I live in India and my husband is in Canada on student visa. He is pursuing PhD in Montreal. We got married in July 2013.

I will apply for TRV in November month. I have some doubts regarding documents to be submitted for TRV. Please help me. :-\

1. Kindly let me know whether I should submit a return ticket? Does it really help? As anybody can cancel the return ticket after getting visa.

2. Should I submit my marriage photos, and our courtship photos to give assurance that this is a genuine marriage and we knew each other long before marriage? The checklist in application does not mention about this.

3. after I reach to Canada, I can get open work permit with same validity as of my husband's work permit. Also I have a knowledge that somebody with TRV can not stay for more than 6 months. So should I extend my visa if I want to stay longer or my work permit is sufficient for my longer stay.

What is the correct procedure and when and how can I apply for that?

Please let me know if you have knowledge or experience on TRV.

Thanks a lot.

Regards,
Rina

 

[Rina9285]

Please anyone can help me? It will really help me in preparing my application.Please help.

 

[diamanthoxha]

I just would follow the checklist and to add assets proof, job contracts , funds etc...

 

[dotmatrix]

Hi. I live in India and my husband is in Canada on student visa. He is pursuing PhD in Montreal. We got married in July 2013.

I will apply for TRV in November month. I have some doubts regarding documents to be submitted for TRV. Please help me. :-\

1. Kindly let me know whether I should submit a return ticket? Does it really help? As anybody can cancel the return ticket after getting visa.

2. Should I submit my marriage photos, and our courtship photos to give assurance that this is a genuine marriage and we knew each other long before marriage? The checklist in application does not mention about this.

3. after I reach to Canada, I can get open work permit with same validity as of my husband's work permit. Also I have a knowledge that somebody with TRV can not stay for more than 6 months. So should I extend my visa if I want to stay longer or my work permit is sufficient for my longer stay.

What is the correct procedure and when and how can I apply for that?

Please let me know if you have knowledge or experience on TRV.

Thanks a lot.

Regards,
Rina

1. You shouldn't buy tickets before your visa is approved. You can ask your travel agent to provide you an "itinerary" free of charge which outlines your tentative dates of travel.

2. It's an application for TRV not permanent residence. You don't have to submit photos and all that. I do believe they ask for a proof of relationship to the person you are visiting. In that case, you can attach your marriage certificate.

3. can someone with experience there respond?

 

[davek1979]

1. It would help if you were to submit a return ticket it shows that you have the means of going back home. That is another worry that they have

2. No need top submit photos only marriage certificate to show proof of relationship.

3a. You can apply for an OWP once you are in Canada on a TRV because of your husband. You will also need to submit a copy of his visa as well.

3b. There is guarantee that you will get a 6 month visa when you arrive in Canada. The visa is only valid as long as the officer writes on your passport. If there is nothing written then it is valid for 6 months. To extend your visa you would apply for an extension online on the CIC website.

 

[O_guy]

1. Kindly let me know whether I should submit a return ticket? Does it really help? As anybody can cancel the return ticket after getting visa.

2. Should I submit my marriage photos, and our courtship photos to give assurance that this is a genuine marriage and we knew each other long before marriage? The checklist in application does not mention about this.

3. after I reach to Canada, I can get open work permit with same validity as of my husband's work permit. Also I have a knowledge that somebody with TRV can not stay for more than 6 months. So should I extend my visa if I want to stay longer or my work permit is sufficient for my longer stay.

Hello Rina, here are the answers to your questions:

1. Return ticket helps but not required.
2. There is no need to submit marriage photos. Submit a certified copy of your marriage license.
3. Yes you can get open work permit. Nothing is guaranteed. Apply for open work permit and visa extension simultaneously. I read that advice on these forums several times.

Good luck

 

[ragluf]

1. Kindly let me know whether I should submit a return ticket? Does it really help? As anybody can cancel the return ticket after getting visa.

A return ticket or travel itinerary is showing intent to abide by the nature of the visa you are applying for - "temporary". Kindly check if there are country-specific requirements in applying for a TRV where you will be submitting - some country offices require presentation of a return ticket. If not specifically required - then volunteer to submit at least a travel itinerary.

2. Should I submit my marriage photos, and our courtship photos to give assurance that this is a genuine marriage and we knew each other long before marriage? The checklist in application does not mention about this.

No need for this type of application, but as you will be applying for a TRV with reasons as visiting your husband, provide proof of relationship - marriage certificate.

3. after I reach to Canada, I can get open work permit with same validity as of my husband's work permit. Also I have a knowledge that somebody with TRV can not stay for more than 6 months. So should I extend my visa if I want to stay longer or my work permit is sufficient for my longer stay.

You do not have to extend your stay - if you are eligible for an OWP on the strength of your husband's study permit, then upon filing of the application for work permit, (proof - receiving confirmation of receipt of the application) you fall under "implied status" - granting you residence until a decision is made on your application. Make sure you file the application with a good lead time before the end date of your initial stay. It is generally advised to file at least 1 month before your authorized stay expires.

What is the correct procedure and when and how can I apply for that?

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/extend-stay.asp
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/apply-who-eligible.asp
There are embedded links here that will direct you to the application process

Now should you be granted a TRV and enter Canada, you be asked to present a copy of your husband's study/work permit at the immigration checkpoint and then you may ask the CBSA officer to be directed to the Immigration offices. Because you may be allowed a stay of greater than 6months immediately with the issuance of a visitor record. My wife had this experience - the CBSA officer offered her a choice - if he puts a stamp, then she is allowed to stay for 6months, but she can also choose to be sent to the CBSA/Immigration office, where they can process a visitor record for her after examining her documents, and issue a visitor record up to the duration of my initial WP authorized stay greater than 6months. That happened - she elected to proceed to the CBSA/Immigration office and was issued a visitor record up to my remaining authorized stay - a little over a year was remaining.

This is similar to the process of a worker/student applying for a work/study permit outside of Canada, and the spouse accompanying the worker/student and applying for a TRV along side the WP/SP application. On the basis of the permit authorized for the worker/student - the spouse may be granted a TRV with an authorized stay up to the duration of the work/study permit.

Also, as you are at the CBSA/Immigration office, take the opportunity to ask also if you can apply for an open work permit there and then - again on the basis of your husband's permit. Although the literature in the CIC webpages does show you may not be eligible to apply as you enter Canada, note they have the resources at their disposal to make this determination, and you may be successful in getting one. This is better than calling up the CIC call centre and applying later . The officers also can provide you information on how to proceed with applying for a work permit.

Good luck....

 

[Rina9285]

Thank you very much all of you for the guidance. It really helped in clearing my doubts.

But my one doubt still remains unanswered.The doubt is I will get 6 months' visitor visa and a work permit with validity of 2-3 years (equal to my husband's study permit). So my question is at the end of six months do I need to extend my visitor visa or I can just stay in Canada for 2-3 years without doing any procedure on the basis of my work permit?

 

[ragluf]

Thank you very much all of you for the guidance. It really helped in clearing my doubts.

But my one doubt still remains unanswered.The doubt is I will get 6 months' visitor visa and a work permit with validity of 2-3 years (equal to my husband's study permit). So my question is at the end of six months do I need to extend my visitor visa or I can just stay in Canada for 2-3 years without doing any procedure on the basis of my work permit?

We'd have to separate what your immediate action/need is right now - applying for a TRV - and the intended future action - apply for a work permit after admission - so we can clarify this further. This is your intention right? Enter first as a visitor and then later apply for a work permit.

First - obtaining a TRV to enter Canada - your first intention:
To clarify, the visa is only an entry document allowing you to travel into Canada. You may get a entry/TRV valid for 6months - it only means that you can use the visa to travel into/enter Canada within that validity period. Once you have successfully obtained a visa, then you can travel to Canada.

Upon entry and admission into Canada, with a TRV (visitor) you will be accorded temporary resident status as a visitor and the duration of authorized stay in Canada will be provided in the visitor stamp affixed to your passport or specified in a visitor record. Typically a visitor is allowed/authorized up to 6months temp residence; to say that is certain upon getting a TRV is incorrect; that is usually given (6 months) but there are no absolute guarantees. The final determination is done by the CBSA officer at the immigration checkpoint upon examining your entry documents and admitting you into the country.

Second - applying for a work permit after entering Canada - your next intention:
Once you are admitted into the country on the basis of your entry visa/TRV (visitor) and allowed to stay for a duration of x months - then your intended action is to apply for a work permit. At this point, with visitor status - you can only stay in Canada (without any change in the conditions of your stay) up to the period that is specified on the stamp, visitor record, or if none - defacto 6months.

The general guideline is - any change in conditions of your initial stay - whether it is to extend your duration of your current visit or to change your status from a visitor to a worker - should be done before the expiry of your current stay. Should you apply for an extension or for a work permit, upon submission and confirmation in hand that your application has been received, you fall under "implied status" - and you can continue to reside/stay in Canada until a decision has been made on your application, beyond the duration of your initial authorized period of stay. I would have to note that you cannot work during this period ("implied status") as your previous status is as a visitor.

You should be eligible for applying in Canada on the basis of your spouse's study permit as you described it.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=172&t=17

When you are successful in obtaining a work permit - you cannot assume immediately that the duration authorized for you matches that of the study permit of your spouse. It often is that case - it matches - but again not always as explained below:

I must note other factors do come into play - most important is the validity of your passport. CIC usually does not issue authorizations greater than the validity period of your passport. So even if your spouse's study permit/authorization is 2 -3 years, but your passport validity is less than that - expect a WP to be issued only up to the validity of your passport, not based on your spouse's authorization/SP duration.

/I do hope this helps....

 

[Rina9285]

Thank you Ragluf for the detailed information. The 'visitor record' information was totally new to me and thank you for your help.

Suppose I got work permit of 3 years before expiry of my current stay which is 6 months. And I also want to stay for 3 years in Canada.

Now what is the next procedure required by Canadian government?

Will I have to send an application of visa extension to stay for more than 6 months? Or will I have to send my passport and work permit to get my passport stamped with 3 years of validity?

I hope my question is clear. Please share your knowledge if you have experienced this situation.

Thank you.

 

[ragluf]

Hi,

When a work permit is issued, it also includes temporary residence status authorization up to the duration of the work permit. Meaning when you apply for a work permit, you do not need to apply separately to extend your stay. The work permit authorizes you to work and at the same time to have temporary residence/stay in Canada up to the duration specified in the WP.

This is different from temporary residence as a visitor - the authorization only allows you temporary residence or to stay (not authorizes you to work), and oftentimes is limited to 6 months.

Please go through the procedures here - they have been provided and should answer a lot of your additional questions. Try to read through the embedded links to get more information.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/tourist.asp (Visit as a Tourist)
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/apply-who.asp (Work in Canada)

Now to answer your questions point-by-point:

Suppose I got work permit of 3 years before expiry of my current stay which is 6 months. And I also want to stay for 3 years in Canada. Now what is the next procedure required by Canadian government?

Assuming you were successful in getting a TRV, and travelled to Canada.

Issued a TRV -> Travel to Canada -> Admitted as a Visitor -> Apply for WP in Canada -> Issued a WP
(initial stay/duration = 6mos) (implied status if applied before expiry of initial stay) (can work and stay up to WP duration)

No next procedure is needed after getting a work permit - as soon as you obtain a work permit, you have authorization to both work and reside/stay in Canada up to the duration specified in your work permit. No need to file a separate application to extend your stay - your temporary residence is essentially "extended" by the issuance of the WP.

WP = work authorization + temporary residence status up to duration of WP

Will I have to send an application of visa extension to stay for more than 6 months? Or will I have to send my passport and work permit to get my passport stamped with 3 years of validity?

In relation to answering this in the context of a continuation of the previous line: "Now what is the next procedure required by Canadian government?" -

Well you do not have to send a separate application of an extension of stay, as long as you filed an application for a work permit before expiry of your current visit. You fall under "implied status". This covers the period you are in Canada and waiting for the results of the WP application, even if your initial stay has expired. You can stay for more than 6mos. until your get results on your application for a WP.

Now, after filing that work permit application and if you obtained a work permit, then the work permit allows/authorizes residence (or in this case - already extends your stay) up to the period/duration specified in the WP. In some cases, the work permit may have annotations, notes stating that Temporary residence status is also extended, etc.

 

[Rina9285]

Ok. Now I got my answer. Thank you very much Ragluf for your time and reply. I did not have idea that a work permit also contains stay authorization. As it allows me to work and stay for that period, I don't need to do any further procedure.

Thank you again for clearing my doubts

 

[PS88]

Hi ragluf,

1. Can you please tell about documents that needs to be submitted along with TRV. I am planning to apply for my gf after marriage. She is working right now in India. Does she need to provide employment letter also or she should resign before marriage so that I can show her as dependent during the visa process.?

2. How long will she get a visa? I am here on PG WP. I know it will depend on VO maybe 6 months or more. but wont her employment become an issue? She is not taking any leaves.

Thanks

 

[Viky]

Hello Members,

My situation is same as our fellow member Rina9285.

Need some suggestion on applying visitor visa (will apply for OWP once I land in Canada).

My wife is presently residing in Canada on her student visa (valid until Dec 2015).
I'm working in the Middle East for the past 5+ years.

Would like to know the possibility for me to get the visitor visa.
What are all the documents that are to be submitted along with application?

Thanks in advance.

 

[ragluf]

Hi ragluf,

1. Can you please tell about documents that needs to be submitted along with TRV. I am planning to apply for my gf after marriage. She is working right now in India. Does she need to provide employment letter also or she should resign before marriage so that I can show her as dependent during the visa process.?

2. How long will she get a visa? I am here on PG WP. I know it will depend on VO maybe 6 months or more. but wont her employment become an issue? She is not taking any leaves.

Thanks

Hi,

1. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/tourist.asp (Visit as a Tourist)
The link will lead you to other links to find the document checklist to guide you on what is included in the TRV application (visitor).
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/apply-who.asp
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/apply-how.asp

Note that she is applying for a "temporary" resident visa - so the expectation is she will return or exit Canada at the end of the authorized period for the visit. To dispel any doubt of the intention of the "temporary" visit, she must have strong ties to the home country, amongst other things. An employment letter provides proof of a "tie" (stable and gainful employment) among other documents.

2. A TRV (visitor) is usually given 6months. Duration of stay is given upon entry to Canada, subject to final determination by the border officers. What is indicated usually in the TRV stamped in the passport is validity dates - but not duration of stay.

Your PGWP may give her eligibility to apply for an OWP - you may have to check with CIC via their call centre on this as you are in Canada.

Her employment does not become an immediate issue, but note that the intent of "temporary" visit can be clearly shown with planned dates - an itinerary within a reasonable period. If your planned itinerary shows a duration of 8 weeks, but supporting documents show employment, then questions may form if she was authorized to be away for quite sometime.