US outland applicants' thread :)

[writetosfa]

Thanks for the reply!

 

[IslandAnnie]

We are still waiting on my husband's PPR (and not very patiently, btw) as a sign that we are nearing the end of this... does anyone know if it is possible for him to come and work on a NAFTA permit/visa while our Family application is processing? He qualifies for for a couple NAFTA approved positions, and if he could land one, we were hoping he come and wait with me without "visiting" (a.k.a. being unemployed). Thanks in advance for any info you might have about this!

 

[opmama]

He qualifies for for a couple NAFTA approved positions, and if he could land one, we were hoping he come and wait with me without "visiting" (a.k.a. being unemployed). Thanks in advance for any info you might have about this!

I do know that was possible, but tricky, going the other way (I worked on a TN visa wil waiting for my US PR application to process). It's a "dual intent" situation, and that definitely wasn't the easiest way to cross the US border ;-P. Hopefully it's easier coming into Canada!

 

[amikety]

We are still waiting on my husband's PPR (and not very patiently, btw) as a sign that we are nearing the end of this... does anyone know if it is possible for him to come and work on a NAFTA permit/visa while our Family application is processing? He qualifies for for a couple NAFTA approved positions, and if he could land one, we were hoping he come and wait with me without "visiting" (a.k.a. being unemployed). Thanks in advance for any info you might have about this!

Considering how lenient CIC is with American spouses during the PR process, I would think it would be okay. Off chance he gets the one a-hole CBSA agent, but mostly I would think it's fine.

 

[computergeek]

We are still waiting on my husband's PPR (and not very patiently, btw) as a sign that we are nearing the end of this... does anyone know if it is possible for him to come and work on a NAFTA permit/visa while our Family application is processing? He qualifies for for a couple NAFTA approved positions, and if he could land one, we were hoping he come and wait with me without "visiting" (a.k.a. being unemployed). Thanks in advance for any info you might have about this!

Yes, this is not a problem. Indeed, I usually recommend this course for anyone (US or Mexican citizen) that qualifies for a NAFTA work permit. He can pick it up at the POE. He just needs a qualified offer, evidence that he has the skills necessary, a completed "outside Canada" application, two photographs, $150 and his US passport.

This is known as "dual intent" and is permitted under existing law and regulation. Further, while not codified in law, in practice CBSA is lenient with Canadian/American couples in almost any case.

He can even come to Canada as a visitor and look for that job as a visitor, then head to the border (it MUST be done at a POE as he enters the country) and turn back around and enter Canada (the "flag pole" approach). In my experience it takes about 20 minutes for CBSA to complete the work permit paperwork. Just note that not all border crossings offer immigration services.

 

[keesio]

Hello folks,
My wife will be visiting me via plane in a few weeks while we wait out stage 2. She will have a return ticket (which I hear is preferred by customs). The plan is to have that return ticket for November (around US Thanksgiving). That is almost 4 months. I know she can stay for 6 months but does that still raise any flag to officials because of the duration? Or does it not really matter as long as she has a return ticket before 6 months? I'd like to have her have the absolute minimum issues at customs and if that means cutting her trip a bit short, then so be it.

Thanks

 

[IvanP]

Considering how lenient CIC is with American spouses during the PR process, I would think it would be okay. Off chance he gets the one a-hole CBSA agent, but mostly I would think it's fine.

So that's why I have better luck on the Canadian side - they have only one!

 

[computergeek]

Hello folks,
My wife will be visiting me via plane in a few weeks while we wait out stage 2. She will have a return ticket (which I hear is preferred by customs). The plan is to have that return ticket for November (around US Thanksgiving). That is almost 4 months. I know she can stay for 6 months but does that still raise any flag to officials because of the duration? Or does it not really matter as long as she has a return ticket before 6 months? I'd like to have her have the absolute minimum issues at customs and if that means cutting her trip a bit short, then so be it.

Thanks

As long as it seems reasonable 4 months versus 6 months won't matter.

I'd also suggest she carry a copy of the sponsor approval letter and (if she has it) a copy of her current GCMS notes - the further along the process, the easier it becomes.

In the unlikely event they try to claim she is inadmissible (because she won't leave on time) she is in the unique position to request they grant her a TRP. While I'm sure it won't be necessary, knowing that there's still another card that can be played often helps someone feel more relaxed - which in turn means it's less likely that there will be any problems.

 

[Bargeld]

Considering how lenient CIC is with American spouses during the PR process, I would think it would be okay. Off chance he gets the one a-hole CBSA agent, but mostly I would think it's fine.

I agree with this. Right before my birthday a few years ago I was given a 1 year VR after staying in Canada for a couple weeks shy of 6 months.. a few weeks later my daughter was born and I wound up getting PPR e-mailed to me on the same day.

We were initially going to file for the inland visitor extension but then upon careful reading I realized I had no stamp or physical proof of entry required for that extension (and CBSA didn't offer me a way to get one).. my passport was simply scanned when initially entering Canada. I communicated with a nice officer at Fort Erie (called their CBSA post myself), (sort of) exposed myself by telling him the situation, that we had a PR app with sponsorship approval in Buffalo being processed, that I have a copy of the AOR, notarized letters from in-laws stating they would help support me financially until I got my PR, just no stamp on my passport to file for inland visitor extension, and of course after the gentleman said if I was at the border and showed him what I told him I have that he'd easily approve me for a 1 year VR (I was only asking for 6 months), I went down there with my wife with all of it for the VR which I'm sure helped as well. Three officers reminded us that they aren't in the business of breaking up families.

 

[keesio]

As long as it seems reasonable 4 months versus 6 months won't matter.

I'd also suggest she carry a copy of the sponsor approval letter and (if she has it) a copy of her current GCMS notes - the further along the process, the easier it becomes.

In the unlikely event they try to claim she is inadmissible (because she won't leave on time) she is in the unique position to request they grant her a TRP. While I'm sure it won't be necessary, knowing that there's still another card that can be played often helps someone feel more relaxed - which in turn means it's less likely that there will be any problems.

Thanks again. I think I need a chill pill. I stress too much over this stuff. Just looking forward to spending some (longer) quality time with my wife!

 

[IslandAnnie]

Ok, so I finally received our GCMS notes (they took longer than 30 days so emailed them asking about the delay and received the file within an hour!)

The good news it appears they believe our relationship is genuine ... But here is the concerning part - when reading our GCMS notes, I come across this -

-request letter sent: -PA: -ppt copy

does anyone know if this would have been my husband's PPT request??? if so, then we never got it (he has been checking email and junk mail everyday) and it was sent May 8!!! I have emailed Ottawa...and now we wait

Would love to hear from anyone who has ordered and reviewed their notes, as to how their PPT request appeared.

 

[MisterDBarton]

So...I'm officially landed and am a Permanent Resident of Canada! For those who may be in a similar situation as my wife and I, we got my temporary Visa papers around the middle of May. We had pretty much decided before then that we are going to be moving around the beginning of September. The CIC website doesn't make it very clear, but...

I was able to land, even without a Canadian address. I was given a form I need to fill out once I have an address and will need to fax it in shortly after (this is to receive my PR card). I/we had to declare "items to follow" and thankfully we had the itemized list with us. You will NEED to include models and serial numbers for electronics. I read on here that some people didn't put this and that's OK, but the lady who helped us said we really should include those to make the process go as smooth as possible.

Now to start refreshing my resume and hope I can find a job in the GTA!

 

[amikety]

So...I'm officially landed and am a Permanent Resident of Canada! For those who may be in a similar situation as my wife and I, we got my temporary Visa papers around the middle of May. We had pretty much decided before then that we are going to be moving around the beginning of September. The CIC website doesn't make it very clear, but...

I was able to land, even without a Canadian address. I was given a form I need to fill out once I have an address and will need to fax it in shortly after (this is to receive my PR card). I/we had to declare "items to follow" and thankfully we had the itemized list with us. You will NEED to include models and serial numbers for electronics. I read on here that some people didn't put this and that's OK, but the lady who helped us said we really should include those to make the process go as smooth as possible.

Now to start refreshing my resume and hope I can find a job in the GTA!

Congrats! I didn't see you on the SS (I even tried Crtl+F). I guess it's a little late now, but if you want to be added, I will.

 

[MisterDBarton]

Congrats! I didn't see you on the SS (I even tried Crtl+F). I guess it's a little late now, but if you want to be added, I will.

I'm not exactly sure what the SS is, but, sure?

 

[keesio]

I'm not exactly sure what the SS is, but, sure?

The very useful spreadsheets maintained by amikety and IvanP. They list the timelines for the applications for VO CPP-Ottawa and also January 2013 applicants