US outland applicants' thread :)

[IvanP]

A looong vacation. Perhaps they feel like they are teachers and get the whole summer off too?

A vacation from the pesky brats who keep bugging them like children in a car? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?

 

[PhBee]

Looks good to me. What you provided is similar to what we (my wife and I) provided. Right now we are in the final stages of the application and the VO hasn't said anything about needing more proof.

Thanks, Keesio! I'm hoping that's the case with us as well. I mean, we were introduced by friends, our relationship was known by all our friends and family - so, I don't see why we'd need more. But, of course, I'm worried about all the 'what if's?'! - what if the 10 year age difference matters (he's 10 years older than me, though I'm the one sponsoring him), what if they think it's weird that we didn't have a big wedding (just did a destination one with just us, then a dinner with friends/family the weekend after we got back), what if, what if, what if! Amiright?! ???

Sigh. I'll try and relax until I hear something one way or another

 

[IvanP]

A looong vacation. Perhaps they feel like they are teachers and get the whole summer off too?

A two-month vacation, apparently - processing times have really jumped since the last update. Ottawa went from 12 to 14, NY is a whopping 18, and LA is now a completely outrageous 22!
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/perm/fc-spouses.asp

 

[keesio]

Thanks, Keesio! I'm hoping that's the case with us as well. I mean, we were introduced by friends, our relationship was known by all our friends and family - so, I don't see why we'd need more. But, of course, I'm worried about all the 'what if's?'! - what if the 10 year age difference matters (he's 10 years older than me, though I'm the one sponsoring him), what if they think it's weird that we didn't have a big wedding (just did a destination one with just us, then a dinner with friends/family the weekend after we got back), what if, what if, what if! Amiright?! ???

Sigh. I'll try and relax until I hear something one way or another

I don't think you have much to worry about. Many people don't have a big wedding, many do the "city hall" thing quick so they can send in the application. It was good that you had a celebration dinner afterwards with invited guests and sending in the RSVP cards is a nice touch. For the guy to be 10 years older is not much of a red flag. It is better than if you were 10 years older then him (yes it is a bit sexist but I hear that this is more of a red flag than vice versa). There are a few couples with age gaps of 15+ years (husband is older) and they didn't hit any snags. From what i have read of your relationship, I really don't see much there that would raise any flags. And they probably take it most easy on US/CDN couples.

I'd relax on if they have any issues with your relationship. Really the thing that will probably cause you most grief is waiting for your application to get processed like the rest of us!

 

[keesio]

A two-month vacation, apparently - processing times have really jumped since the last update. Ottawa went from 12 to 14, NY is a whopping 18, and LA is now a completely outrageous 22!
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/perm/fc-spouses.asp

*sigh*

 

[aeastmond]

*sigh*

I agree Kessio

 

[PhBee]

I don't think you have much to worry about. Many people don't have a big wedding, many do the "city hall" thing quick so they can send in the application. It was good that you had a celebration dinner afterwards with invited guests and sending in the RSVP cards is a nice touch. For the guy to be 10 years older is not much of a red flag. It is better than if you were 10 years older then him (yes it is a bit sexist but I hear that this is more of a red flag than vice versa). There are a few couples with age gaps of 15+ years (husband is older) and they didn't hit any snags. From what i have read of your relationship, I really don't see much there that would raise any flags. And they probably take it most easy on US/CDN couples.

I'd relax on if they have any issues with your relationship. Really the thing that will probably cause you most grief is waiting for your application to get processed like the rest of us!

Thanks Keesio, you're right! Especially considering the jump in wait times (I'll add to the sighing!), that'll be the main source of grief. I suppose I'm just a little extra stressed as I leave for Canada tomorrow after spending about 4mo here visiting. The transition will be hard! But, at least it's our 'last wait' before he moves up (the past few years we've always waited for the summer when I was off school, I'm a PhD student, so I could come down for a month or two. This time though, it should be 'for good' by the time the summer rolls around. I hope!). Ugh. Speaking of, I should probably start packing

 

[amikety]

I don't think you have much to worry about. Many people don't have a big wedding, many do the "city hall" thing quick so they can send in the application. It was good that you had a celebration dinner afterwards with invited guests and sending in the RSVP cards is a nice touch. For the guy to be 10 years older is not much of a red flag. It is better than if you were 10 years older then him (yes it is a bit sexist but I hear that this is more of a red flag than vice versa). There are a few couples with age gaps of 15+ years (husband is older) and they didn't hit any snags. From what i have read of your relationship, I really don't see much there that would raise any flags. And they probably take it most easy on US/CDN couples.

I'd relax on if they have any issues with your relationship. Really the thing that will probably cause you most grief is waiting for your application to get processed like the rest of us!

We got married at a friend's house in front of her fireplace with 8 adults and 3 kids.

 

[parker24]

We got married at a friend's house in front of her fireplace with 8 adults and 3 kids.

KIDS?!

Who are you and what did you do to amikety?!

 

[amikety]

KIDS?!

Who are you and what did you do to amikety?!

Well 1 kid lived there..... the other was my Flower girl. The last was her little brother who I am babysitting this entire weekend. (It's good encouragement to run from children.)

 

[Tullysgirl]

LANDED!! We crossed the border back into Canada on July 21st.

I'm glad I was on the ball because the Kingsgate, Idaho CBSA officer in the office didn't even take my COPR, just my passport and then handed it back to me, said I was good to go. This was AFTER I'd told the officer at the window (mind you, I was driving a U-HAUL) I was there to "land".

I took the COPR and told her I needed it filled out, that I couldn't get an SIN (or a JOB!) without it filled out. I know, I'd already been to Service Canada months before and the gal there couldn't process me without it.

The officer took it to another officer who then told me they'd never had to fill one out. (SHEESH!!) I explained about the SIN and that I needed it. He then mentioned something about, "Well, unless you need to land". ??? Which I then promptly told him that's what I was there to do. :'(

He had me wait, he left, came back, called me back to the counter, asked a few questions, put me in the computer, signed the COPR and gave it back to me, told me he'd put me in as a Permanent Resident in the system (YAY!!!), said I'd get my PR card in 6-8 weeks and sent me on my way.

At Service Canada the next day, she noticed that he'd actually given me back the CIC copy of the COPR (the one with my pic on it), but she didn't think it would matter. I hadn't even noticed that it said, "CIC Copy" on the bottom.

BE WARNED!! BE ALERT!!

SIN in hand and Provincial insurance too and now job hunting!!

 

[amikety]

LANDED!! We crossed the border back into Canada on July 21st.

I'm glad I was on the ball because the CBSA officer in the office didn't even take my COPR, just my passport and then handed it back to me, said I was good to go. This was AFTER I'd told the officer at the window (mind you, I was driving a U-HAUL) I was there to "land".

I took the COPR and told her I needed it filled out, that I couldn't get an SIN (or a JOB!) without it filled out. I know, I'd already been to Service Canada months before and the gal there couldn't process me without it.

The officer took it to another officer who then told me they'd never had to fill one out. (SHEESH!!) I explained about the SIN and that I needed it. He then mentioned something about, "Well, unless you need to land". ??? Which I then promptly told him that's what I was there to do. :'(

He had me wait, he left, came back, called me back to the counter, asked a few questions, put me in the computer, signed the COPR and gave it back to me, told me he'd put me in as a Permanent Resident in the system (YAY!!!), said I'd get my PR card in 6-8 weeks and sent me on my way.

At Service Canada the next day, she noticed that he'd actually given me back the CIC copy of the COPR (the one with my pic on it), but she didn't think it would matter. I hadn't even noticed that it said, "CIC Copy" on the bottom.

BE WARNED!! BE ALERT!!

SIN in hand and Provincial insurance too and now job hunting!!

Omg which crossing did you use?

 

[Tullysgirl]

Omg which crossing did you use?

LOL whoops! I just put it in there, but it was the Kingsgate, Idaho one.

 

[aeastmond]

Omg which crossing did you use?

I am hoping go through the Vancouver airport

 

[aeastmond]

Has anyone landed and then went back for their belongings soon after?
If so was it an issue?