My work permit expired on June 30, 2012 and so did my wife's visitor record. I accepted a job offer and submitted our application for restoration of status on Sep 25, 2012 which was within the 90 day limit. A CIC call agent informed me that since my wife is a dependent I just need to submit one application form and pay $150 as well as $200 x 2 as restoration fees (total $550). I was told that the $75 for my wife's temp permit (visitor record) is not necessary. I provided all the required documents - our passport copies, copies of my prev. work permit and my wife's visitor record, proof of fee payement, marriage certificate, and a detailed letter explaining the reason for overstaying beyond the validity of our permits. I specifically called later to confirm that my application was complete.
On Dec 28, I received my work permit - but a visitor record was not issued to my wife. A separate letter had the following statement "Please note: For your information. No application or request has been received at our office for your spouse"
I may have misunderstood the CIC agent who informed me about the single application form. I immediately sent a separate application form for my wife via courier (plus all the documents above) to CPC Vegerville and explained that I initially provided my wife's documents with my application with the intention of restoring her status and getting a visitor record. I spoke to a CIC agent who confirmed there was no attempt from CIC to contact me to provide the missing document. The agent said since she is out of the 90 days window, I could send my wife's application to the Canadian Embassy in the country of her origin - without her leaving Canada provided I explain the situation - or send my wife to the US, apply for a visitor visa, and obtain a visitor record on her way in.
The problem is that she is scheduled for surgery soon (for a very very serious health condition), and health coverage is tied to a valid status. Sending her out of Canada at this critical juncture is not an option. Sending the application to her country of origin and back will take a very long time.
I went to the Canadian-US border as well to see if I could flagpole. I didn't take my wife with me as I only wanted to get information and didn't want to risk her being denied reentry. The officer rudely cut me off and refused to answer any questions - saying that under the privacy act he can only give information to my wife - but that he would suggest that I hire a lawyer. I told him that she is a dependent and she consented that I communicate on her behalf, also showed him the Use of Representative form, but he didn't change his mind. What options do I have?
On Dec 28, I received my work permit - but a visitor record was not issued to my wife. A separate letter had the following statement "Please note: For your information. No application or request has been received at our office for your spouse"
I may have misunderstood the CIC agent who informed me about the single application form. I immediately sent a separate application form for my wife via courier (plus all the documents above) to CPC Vegerville and explained that I initially provided my wife's documents with my application with the intention of restoring her status and getting a visitor record. I spoke to a CIC agent who confirmed there was no attempt from CIC to contact me to provide the missing document. The agent said since she is out of the 90 days window, I could send my wife's application to the Canadian Embassy in the country of her origin - without her leaving Canada provided I explain the situation - or send my wife to the US, apply for a visitor visa, and obtain a visitor record on her way in.
The problem is that she is scheduled for surgery soon (for a very very serious health condition), and health coverage is tied to a valid status. Sending her out of Canada at this critical juncture is not an option. Sending the application to her country of origin and back will take a very long time.
I went to the Canadian-US border as well to see if I could flagpole. I didn't take my wife with me as I only wanted to get information and didn't want to risk her being denied reentry. The officer rudely cut me off and refused to answer any questions - saying that under the privacy act he can only give information to my wife - but that he would suggest that I hire a lawyer. I told him that she is a dependent and she consented that I communicate on her behalf, also showed him the Use of Representative form, but he didn't change his mind. What options do I have?