U.S. Inland Spousal sponsorship disaster

[InlandMess]

Hi all! Just found this board, it seems great and I've learned so much from the stickies and other posts in just an evening of reading.

I first came to Canada as a visitor in June 2015, to live with my born-in-Canada citizen boyfriend. At first I was given a 30 day visitor visa, applied for an extension and got another one. Before it expired, I left the country and came back.

When I came back into the country I was given no visitor record or anything. I was waved through the border after he took our passports, at this point I thought my 6 months "reset."

Because my police records took longer to come back then I thought they would, I wanted to leave the country and come back again in order to remain as a visitor and also avoid any messes with both visitor extensions and PR paperwork being submitted at the same time (I now know this is not how that works.)

When we came back to the border this time, the agent(s) were astounded that I wasn't questioned more about re-entering Canada. I was informed that the way we were doing things is not how things are done, and they were not impressed I had no proof/paperwork to show them (Left at home because I didn't think I needed it.)

My question is, how do we make this right? I was given a very short amount of time to gather my paperwork and show that "I've made progress" on the application. What I will be able to bring to the border is the entirety of the application and all of the required documents/forms EXCEPT the medical exam, but I have an appointment slip for that next week.

Should we bring cash to show that the disposable income is available to afford all of these expensive fees in such a short period?

Is there anything extra that we might do or bring to help our case? We want to make this right, we were stunned on the way home because we thought we were doing things by the book.

If I've forgotten anything important, lemme know. I'll be checking back here a lot!

tl;drBeen living in Canada with boyfriend (to establish common-law) for a year and told we have 10 days to show we've made process on the PR application and that at that point I may still be denied back in. Dying to know what to expect and what I can do to improve my chances.

I had to heavily modify this post because I kept getting some scripting error when the first original half was posting. Sorry for the hack job. If I can provide any further details/information please reply!

 

[InlandMess]

The above is a copy and pasted generally mess of what I had originally written because I was getting an error message trying to post, some text+punctuation of mine was triggering a script trying to run. After browsing around here I have a few more questions about the processing of applying to PR as well as my original question of what to do in my very sloppy handling of my first year in Canada.

If I am not denied re entry into Canada and can submit my PR application in full while still living here, how can I become eligible to work? Do I also have to apply for a work permit? Do I become implied if my sponsor is approved?

Me and my boyfriend don't like pictures. I have a lot of pictures... but they are pictures of the environment (tons of pics of our cats. A few of an aquariam, a snowy road, a few trips but no evidence of us in them..) We do call each other a lot though, basically everyday on the way home from work he'll give me a call. Will this be a problem?

 

[canadianwoman]

You need proof that you have lived together for 12 continuous months, and you also need proof that your relationship is genuine. If you apply inland, you can get a work permit after about 4 or 5 months. However, Americans are usually better off applying outland, because the whole application might be done in 6 months or so. If you apply outland, you can still stay in Canada as a visitor.

It would be better to have photos, but other proof of the genuineness of the relationship can also be used. A couple of pictures of your cats would be fine, if you also have proof that they are your cats - such as adoption paperwork from the SPCA or proof from your vet.

 

[scylla]

Planning to apply inland was your first big mistake. Apply outland. Many Americans are getting through in just a few months these days. Inland is a horrible choice for Americans.

 

[browning911]

If you are at the stage of serious commitment, why not get married and then submit an outland application.

As other posters stated, outland applications are much faster for US applicants. Once you submit the application that should be sufficient proof for reentry.

The only issue is that with an outland application you cannot submit an application for an open work permit, consequently you will not be able to work until you receive PR.

Also, start taking photos together and with family and friends while visiting here. In case they ask for proof of relationship in future.

 

[Omegabyte]

One of the very best things you can do is pay the fees **NOW**!

Apply outland, and the fees are $75 (sponsor application), $475 (application fee), and $490 (right of PR fee). $1040 total. You can delay paying the RPR fee until IRCC/CIC asks, but its not advised because it just slows things down. The online payment site will generate a barcoded PDF page for you to print and enclose with your app.

Make a complete copy of your application and supporting documents, and put them in a binder. I suggest using clear page covers, as that will protect your copies from wear and tear. Carry that binder everywhere, until you get PR!!

 

[InlandMess]

Thanks for all the replies, there is some really good stuff in here!

Can I apply outland while in Canada? I've read in another post that you can just ship it to one of the centers in the U.S.?

Omegabyte, thanks for letting me know how the payment works. I didn't know you pay the fee and then print your proof of payment and submit that with the application, that helps a lot!

browning911, we both aren't really big on marriage. For most of my life growing up I never even considered the possibility (we're both males) and now that it is possible, it still just doesn't really interest me. If we did marry, it would be a quiet courtroom ordeal and if I understand correctly that would be shady in the eyes of immigration anyways. Thanks for the advice on the photos, both of our moms have both snapped group photos with us in them, should be able to grab those at minimum.

scylla, I understand now. We've made a lot of mistakes, I would have loved to have found this forum day 1!

canadianwoman, all of our friends and family know and would be willing to state so in the most official capacity possible. A bike store near here has employees who know of us (while he is at work I will bring his bike and mine in for servicing) and our relationship, would that be able to be used?

Again, thanks so much for all of the replies! It's a huge relief to know there is such a helpful resource here. We are heading to the border today with 95% of our application (My medical exam is next week) to see if they'll allow me to continue to visit.

 

[scylla]

Yes - you can apply outland while in Canada.

 

[CDNPR2014]

yes, you can certainly apply outland while the applicant is in canada as a worker, student or visitor. there is nothing wrong with this and thousands of applicants do it. it does not matter where the application is mailed from, and it's recommended to use a canadian address in the application so your approval is sent there. again, this is not an issue. the sponsor app and the applicants app will be mailed TOGETHER in one package to mississauga, then CIC will internally transfer the applicant's application to the appropriate visa office. for us citizens, applications are processed in ottawa, unless an interview is required and then it will be transferred to Los Angeles. NY does not process spousal sponsorship applications.

i agree with paying at least 1 fee now and always carrying around any application paperwork available (even if it's not submitted). i'd also recommend trying to get some ties to the us. employment and housing are the most important to CBSA. a visitor can work remotely for a non-canadian company. even if it's part time work, it's better than nothing. depending on what your qualifications are, you can sign up for sites like Odesk or freelance work sites for admin/marketing/sales roles. if you has family back in the states, perhaps you can get a standard lease agreement set up that shows she has a place to go back to. working illegally is one of their biggest concerns and they want to know you have somewhere to go back to. i also suggest applying outland. you will most likely be approved within 6 mo, assuming the application is straight forward.

consider this a saving grace to not get stuck in inland hell. regroup and be prepared. and NEVER use the words "living in" or "moving to" canada when talking to cbsa about entering canada. right now, you only has the right to visit.

 

[browning911]

Thanks for all the replies, there is some really good stuff in here!

Can I apply outland while in Canada? I've read in another post that you can just ship it to one of the centers in the U.S.?

Omegabyte, thanks for letting me know how the payment works. I didn't know you pay the fee and then print your proof of payment and submit that with the application, that helps a lot!

browning911, we both aren't really big on marriage. For most of my life growing up I never even considered the possibility (we're both males) and now that it is possible, it still just doesn't really interest me. If we did marry, it would be a quiet courtroom ordeal and if I understand correctly that would be shady in the eyes of immigration anyways. Thanks for the advice on the photos, both of our moms have both snapped group photos with us in them, should be able to grab those at minimum.

scylla, I understand now. We've made a lot of mistakes, I would have loved to have found this forum day 1!

canadianwoman, all of our friends and family know and would be willing to state so in the most official capacity possible. A bike store near here has employees who know of us (while he is at work I will bring his bike and mine in for servicing) and our relationship, would that be able to be used?

Again, thanks so much for all of the replies! It's a huge relief to know there is such a helpful resource here. We are heading to the border today with 95% of our application (My medical exam is next week) to see if they'll allow me to continue to visit.

You did not make the biggest mistake, "overstaying".

I was not trying to be a "marriage advocate".

Also, you are free to include letters from family and friends who know that your relationship is a committed and genuine relationship.

Good luck to you and your partner.

 

[canadianwoman]

Can I apply outland while in Canada? I've read in another post that you can just ship it to one of the centers in the U.S.?

If we did marry, it would be a quiet courtroom ordeal and if I understand correctly that would be shady in the eyes of immigration anyways.

canadianwoman, all of our friends and family know and would be willing to state so in the most official capacity possible. A bike store near here has employees who know of us (while he is at work I will bring his bike and mine in for servicing) and our relationship, would that be able to be used?

Yes, you can apply outland while in Canada. You do not ship the application to a visa office in the USA - everything is sent together to Mississauga.

A low-key civil marriage is fine. In cultures where a big, lavish wedding ceremony is the norm, CIC would view a civil marriage with suspicion, but for a couple from the USA and Canada, it is not unusual. However, applying common-law is also fine.

Including in the application letters or affidavits from friends and family stating that they believe your relationship is genuine and know you have been living together for one year (or longer) is a good idea. Two are necessary. More is fine. Including one from employees of a bike shop is fine as well, though that should be one of the extra ones, not one of the two that are required.

 

[InlandMess]

Browning911, no worries mate. Never thought you were trying to pressure me in a bad way or anything <3!

We went to the border last night and got things sorted out. I feel like I went from a 5 star sketch level to a 0 star sketch level in the eyes of the CBSA. The agent was satisfied with my mostly complete but not submitted PR application. Included were things like the police check (which took 6 months to get) a travel voucher incase I was no longer allowed to remain as a visitor in canada, and all of the PDFs of the PR app filled out etc along with the supporting documents including finances showing how I'm staying without working, etc.


Thanks to everyone who replied to this post. I still have a lot of questions regarding minor details of the PR but I feel like a search function/trawling through all of the posts here will help me with that. I was given a lot of peace of mind in a very stressful time, <3 canadianwoman, browning911, CDNPR2014, scylla, and Omegabyte!