URGENT - Couldn't travel back to Canada because Visa is expired - Complex Situation PLEASE HELP

[Slim1991]

Hi Guys,

I am a temporary worker that is under a sponsorship process for now, my wife is sponsoring me. Until then, I am considered as a temporary worker.

I went to my home country, Tunisia on the 13th of September and I was going to come back to Canada today, however, since my visa has been expired I couldn't travel.

My visa is related to my old work permit, that I have extended in April. Somehow I just thought that with a work permit expiring in June 2021 and a Tunisian Passport expiring on the same date I could travel back to Canada. I don't know how I forgot, I just did.

Now I am stuck in Tunisia and I have to send an online application for a Visa to enter Canada. Now everything seems clear, however I am having a hard time with this question:

What is your current country/territory of residence? If you are presently in Canada, you should select Canada.

The issue is that when I respond ''Tunisia'', I start receiving questions as if I was going to go to Canada for the first time, like for example if I have a job offer in Canada, if I have the School Transcript and a letter from a University showing that I have studied, etc. Questions that don't match with my current situation because I LIVE in Canada. My life is there, not in Tunisia.
So if I respond ''Canada'' would it be wrong? Because I actually reside there, everything from my bills, appartment, etc is there. I am married and my wife is waiting for me in Canada.

So what do you think I should answer?

Thank you in advance for your answer

 

[Smd91_]

Hi Guys,

I am a temporary worker that is under a sponsorship process for now, my wife is sponsoring me. Until then, I am considered as a temporary worker.

I went to my home country, Tunisia on the 13th of September and I was going to come back to Canada today, however, since my visa has been expired I couldn't travel.

My visa is related to my old work permit, that I have extended in April. Somehow I just thought that with a work permit expiring in June 2021 and a Tunisian Passport expiring on the same date I could travel back to Canada. I don't know how I forgot, I just did.

Now I am stuck in Tunisia and I have to send an online application for a Visa to enter Canada. Now everything seems clear, however I am having a hard time with this question:

What is your current country/territory of residence? If you are presently in Canada, you should select Canada.

The issue is that when I respond ''Tunisia'', I start receiving questions as if I was going to go to Canada for the first time, like for example if I have a job offer in Canada, if I have the School Transcript and a letter from a University showing that I have studied, etc. Questions that don't match with my current situation because I LIVE in Canada. My life is there, not in Tunisia.
So if I respond ''Canada'' would it be wrong? Because I actually reside there, everything from my bills, appartment, etc is there. I am married and my wife is waiting for me in Canada.

So what do you think I should answer?

Thank you in advance for your answer

You answer Tunisia thats all buddy you don’t reside in Canada no more, if you answer Canada. You would be misrepresenting yourself

Nothing you could do now other then to wait for your spousal sponsorship to come through/ apply for a visitors visa OR if there’s a way you can apply to extend your current work permit (you can apply restoration of Temporary Residence Visa within 90 days of your current permit expiration)

 

[Slim1991]

You answer Tunisia thats all buddy you don’t reside in Canada no more, if you answer Canada. You would be misrepresenting yourself

Nothing you could do now other then to wait for your spousal sponsorship to come through/ apply for a visitors visa OR if there’s a way you can apply to extend your current work permit (you can apply restoration of Temporary Residence Visa within 90 days of your current permit expiration)

Thank you for your answer. There is someone working at the embassy of Canada in Tunisia that told me to answer Canada, I am confused :S

 

[Smd91_]

Thank you for your answer. There is someone working at the embassy of Canada in Tunisia that told me to answer Canada, I am confused :S

I don’t know if you want to lie in your application, it is a straight forward question. I am surprised you even asked that, you need to hire a lawyer buddy. Let them do your application.
Remember though misrepresenting yourself gives you 5 year BAN!

 

[co2020]

Hi Guys,

I am a temporary worker that is under a sponsorship process for now, my wife is sponsoring me. Until then, I am considered as a temporary worker.

I went to my home country, Tunisia on the 13th of September and I was going to come back to Canada today, however, since my visa has been expired I couldn't travel.

My visa is related to my old work permit, that I have extended in April. Somehow I just thought that with a work permit expiring in June 2021 and a Tunisian Passport expiring on the same date I could travel back to Canada. I don't know how I forgot, I just did.

Now I am stuck in Tunisia and I have to send an online application for a Visa to enter Canada. Now everything seems clear, however I am having a hard time with this question:

What is your current country/territory of residence? If you are presently in Canada, you should select Canada.

The issue is that when I respond ''Tunisia'', I start receiving questions as if I was going to go to Canada for the first time, like for example if I have a job offer in Canada, if I have the School Transcript and a letter from a University showing that I have studied, etc. Questions that don't match with my current situation because I LIVE in Canada. My life is there, not in Tunisia.
So if I respond ''Canada'' would it be wrong? Because I actually reside there, everything from my bills, appartment, etc is there. I am married and my wife is waiting for me in Canada.

So what do you think I should answer?

Thank you in advance for your answer

Same situation. I even tried researching if anyone had done such and if they got their visa sticker put on their passport after the passport request. I didn’t see such a scenario.

It got me pretty confused but when I checked cic website it said if your visa expires while you are out of Canada you will have to apply from the country you currently are. And so I had to select the country I am currently residing(visiting).

So basically you have to select Tunisia. Don’t forget you still have to send your passport to them for the visa. I know answering the questions like it’s your first application sucks but If you are not presently in Canada, don’t select Canada.

This is my candid view. None of us are experts. If you decide to select that you are presently in Canada please give us an update on your application. I would really like to know the outcome plus It would really help those who are in the same situation.

 

[Slim1991]

Same situation. I even tried researching if anyone had done such and if they got their visa sticker put on their passport after the passport request. I didn’t see such a scenario.

It got me pretty confused but when I checked cic website it said if your visa expires while you are out of Canada you will have to apply from the country you currently are. And so I had to select the country I am currently residing(visiting).

So basically you have to select Tunisia. Don’t forget you still have to send your passport to them for the visa. I know answering the questions like it’s your first application sucks but If you are not presently in Canada, don’t select Canada.

This is my candid view. None of us are experts. If you decide to select that you are presently in Canada please give us an update on your application. I would really like to know the outcome plus It would really help those who are in the same situation.

I have selected Tunisia because in the IMM5257f form, there is a question asking if the country from where I am applying is the same as the one I reside in, which it isn't obviously. I even asked a lawyer and he told me that I should just answer Tunisia.

Now the question I have in my mind is, since the processing times are around 78 days when you apply from Tunisia, will it be the same for me? I mean, there is a difference between someone applying for the first time or applying for a visitor visa to visit his family, and person like me that lives, is married, works and pays his taxes in Canada. I don't get why I should wait that timeframe. It's not like I need to provide a police check or a medical exam since I am already someone that lives in Canada.

Anyway, good luck to you all

 

[co2020]

I have selected Tunisia because in the IMM5257f form, there is a question asking if the country from where I am applying is the same as the one I reside in, which it isn't obviously. I even asked a lawyer and he told me that I should just answer Tunisia.

Now the question I have in my mind is, since the processing times are around 78 days when you apply from Tunisia, will it be the same for me? I mean, there is a difference between someone applying for the first time or applying for a visitor visa to visit his family, and person like me that lives, is married, works and pays his taxes in Canada. I don't get why I should wait that timeframe. It's not like I need to provide a police check or a medical exam since I am already someone that lives in Canada.

Anyway, good luck to you all

They will take that into consideration when making a decision on your application but not for shortening the processing time. The processing time is the same. You have to wait because they take turns, they cant jump the queue cuz of your application. There are no exceptions. At least yours is 78 days, mine is 187 (6m and 7 days) LOL. You just have to wait it out.

 

[canuck78]

I have selected Tunisia because in the IMM5257f form, there is a question asking if the country from where I am applying is the same as the one I reside in, which it isn't obviously. I even asked a lawyer and he told me that I should just answer Tunisia.

Now the question I have in my mind is, since the processing times are around 78 days when you apply from Tunisia, will it be the same for me? I mean, there is a difference between someone applying for the first time or applying for a visitor visa to visit his family, and person like me that lives, is married, works and pays his taxes in Canada. I don't get why I should wait that timeframe. It's not like I need to provide a police check or a medical exam since I am already someone that lives in Canada.

Anyway, good luck to you all

Are you currently working? If so, you should include an updated letter from your employer confirming that you have a job waiting for you in Canada. Were you receiving any benefit like CERB while you were away?

 

[co2020]

Are you currently working? If so, you should include an updated letter from your employer confirming that you have a job waiting for you in Canada. Were you receiving any benefit like CERB while you were away?

Thanks for the information. No I am not currently working. I applied under my spouse. An extension of an open work permit. No I didn't receive CERB.