US outland applicants' thread :)

[Creampop]

Call CRA (1-800-267-6999), we called on a Monday morning and had it by that Wednesday.

 

[KristinL]

Starting the process:
Husband is Canadian citizen. We married July 2009 and I immigrated him to the US (I'm a citizen of the US)). Now we want to go to Canada, as soon as possible. I am hoping for answers to the following questions:

1. Can I just "go" there and file from within? (inland or outland - I read somewhere that people can file outland from within). He has a job offer but I'd rather not be separated for a year+.
2. What would I need to do to go there - just visit and stay, or what? I have an online job so I can support myself.
3. If we did move back and file, my husband would not have had a job up there for a year, nor would he have Canadian tax forms to show income. Would that negatively impact us?
4. If I am up there, how soon can I get an open work permit? Would my daughter be allowed to attend schools while we are in visitor status?
5. As soon as my ex signs the papers, my husband is going to be filing to adopt my daughter. Since said ex is a lazy @$$hole, we would like to not sit around and wait for ex to sign papers and for the adoption to go through. Can we update the immigration forms while they are pending?
6. Is there a phone number where people answer the phone to answer immigration questions in the US :-D
7. Medicals - when do I do them? I am confused by people's timelines.

I appreciate all of your assistance. I am new to the forum, but I know I have a lot of reading to do (Canada Immigration forms and packets).

 

[parker24]

Hi computergeek! Can you guide me as to how to order Option C for spousal apppliction and what is the turn around time for it??

I'm just going to copy and paste my post in my blog that I typed up for Americans (with no children). The answer is right in the post Plus should answer any other questions you have

This is the specifics for Immigration that I have posted on a forum. These are my own words.

Thought I'd pass along information that I learned. This is very specific and for Canadian sponsors who are sponsoring their USA spouse. No children.

I'm the Canadian one in my marriage, husband is American.

First both parties need to read over the application guide, found here:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/3900ETOC.asp

Canadian will need to fill out these papers:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5491E.PDF
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM1344E.PDF (MUST BE VALIDATED)
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5481E.PDF
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5540E.PDF

Canadian: You will also need Option C for 2011 Tax year. You can obtain this from CRA by calling 1-800-959-8281. It's free. There's no set amount of how much each of you need to have with spousal sponsorship, as long as you aren't bankrupt. If you live abroad, you need to include your tax information from your country and then a letter explaining why you do not have Option C. If you have a job, a letter from the employer is requested as well. If you don't you will need to write a letter stating how you will support both of you, be it living with your parents or living with a family member etc. Being a Student is not an issue, just as long as you can prove that you can support you and your spouse.

American will need to fill out these papers:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM0008ENU_2D.pdf (MUST BE VALIDATED!)
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5669E.PDF
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5490E.PDF

American: You will need to get an FBI background check as well. This take take up to 12 weeks to do. Just go get your fingerprints wherever you are and send them into the FBI headquarters. More information at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/security/police-cert/north-america/united-states.asp This should be one of the last things you do.

You (American) will also need a medical done. You(American) will have to find a doctor closest to you. Check out here to find one:http://www.cic.gc.ca/dmp-md/medical.aspx You will need 4 photos for the appointment usually. Check the link in the paragraph below for the paper to take with him to get photos done. You will need 4 MORE to send WITH your application. These photos are NOT passport photos, they are very specific with the size. Because they expire a year after they are done, it is advised that the medicals are done close to the time of which you will apply. While they can be extended by CIC, that is at their discretion.

Total fees to be sent to CIC is $1040 (REMINDER: This is just the fees for sponsoring your spouse, no children). It's suggested you pay for the full amount to avoid any delays.

It is VERY STRONGLY recommended to do all the forms online and print them then sign them as some forms need to be validated online.

You will also need proof of a genuine relationship. Photos, bills with both names on it, banking accounts with both names on it, cards addressed to both of you, chat logs, phone bills showing you called each other etc. Even letters from family members stating they have met you and the like. You'll also need a copy of the marriage certificate, and your passport. If you don't have any bills or banking accounts with both names on them and not a lot of photos, fret not! Letters from family work just as good! American will need to prove they are who they say they is too, usually with a birth certificate. Just follow the documents checklist (the first link in Canadian section and this one for American: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/guides/3910e.pdf), and it'll all come together!

Both parts, American and Canadian, needs to be sent together. They both go to Mississauga and then to Ottawa.

Processing times vary day by day for first stage.

First stage is here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/perm-fc.asp

Second stage: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/perm/fc-spouses.asp

 

[computergeek]

Hi computergeek! Can you guide me as to how to order Option C for spousal apppliction and what is the turn around time for it??

It's in the online instructions:

You may obtain an Option C printout free of charge by contacting the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) at 1-800-959-8281.

They will ask you some questions to confirm identity and then you will get it in 2-3 weeks.

 

[Shylox]

Please excuse me if this is already mentioned here somewhere, but does anyone know if there is a spreadsheet for Ottawa? I'm just looking to get some timelines on how long it's going to take my application now that we've been approved for sponsorship and my application is waiting in line for processing.

I read through this thread a little bit and it seems that Ottawa is starting to do better, may this trend continue and we all have a nice speedy and smooth process =)

 

[parker24]

Please excuse me if this is already mentioned here somewhere, but does anyone know if there is a spreadsheet for Ottawa? I'm just looking to get some timelines on how long it's going to take my application now that we've been approved for sponsorship and my application is waiting in line for processing.

I read through this thread a little bit and it seems that Ottawa is starting to do better, may this trend continue and we all have a nice speedy and smooth process =)

There isn't one yet, I've been keeping my eye out for one so I can put it on the spreadsheet document

 

[Shylox]

There isn't one yet, I've been keeping my eye out for one so I can put it on the spreadsheet document

Okay, great! I checked that thread first and didn't see one, that's why I double checked here. Thanks for the info, I'll be sure to check in every now and then to see if one has been made.

You're always so quick to help, parker! You rock! haha

 

[Lemondrop78]

Hi everyone, sorry I haven't been active on this thread. I hope everyone is getting their approvals smoothly. Unfortunately, I just ran into a problem. So I applied for my spouse's permanent residency in April 2012 and got approved a few months ago for sponsorship. Spouse just got a letter from the VO saying he needs to get an RCMP criminal clearance letter and sent back to them within 60 days!!! OMG, that is freaking me out! Everywhere I'm reading says it takes about 120 days for the clearance to process, so how we get it there on time?? Any experience with this and what number do I call now to speak w/an agent?? Parker, you were amazing last time when you gave me the step by step which numbers to push to speak to an agent at the mississauga office. Do you know the step by step or anyone know to speak to an agent now as someone who is in the second step process of waiting for approval for permanent residency? or at least the phone number? The agent last time they do now deal w/second step processes since the application has been sent to another place for approval of residency. Thanks everyone! Everyone has tremendously helped me in this whole entire process so far!! This one is giving me a headache, but my husband is going to get his prints done on Wed. So we have to send the prints to RCMP and then when we get it back, then send it to the immigration?? how in the world will they get it within 60 days like they expect to??

 

[cgagnon]

21 days since they received the passport and nothin is this going to be the start of another long wait I sure hope not!!!!

 

[Creampop]

This morning I got.....

A decision has been made on your application. The office will contact you concerning this decision.

so if the address change last week wasn't telling me the passport was on it's way back I can guess this means it is forsure! Don't worry cgagnon it's coming! was 6 months and 16 days from date they received application to decision made!

 

[Autumnal]

Husband is Canadian citizen. We married July 2009 and I immigrated him to the US (I'm a citizen of the US)). Now we want to go to Canada, as soon as possible. I am hoping for answers to the following questions:

##. Can I just "go" there and file from within? (inland or outland - I read somewhere that people can file outland from within).
##. What would I need to do to go there - just visit and stay, or what? I have an online job so I can support myself.
##. If we did move back and file, my husband would not have had a job up there for a year, nor would he have Canadian tax forms to show income. Would that negatively impact us?
##. If I am up there, how soon can I get an open work permit?
##. Is there a phone number where people answer the phone to answer immigration questions in the US :-D
##. Medicals - when do I do them?

We seem to have the same questions verbatim except in reverse. I am the Canadian sponsor who moved to the US to be with my American common-law spouse. I've lived down here since 2005 working for an American company. We live in Detroit and I want to bring him into Canada, even if it just means moving to Windsor. So I second this question.

 

[Creampop]

The post above from Parker24 is very informational... but to answer these questions...

Can I just "go" there and file from within? (inland or outland - I read somewhere that people can file outland from within).

Yes you can, just remember when you cross the border your husband is only visiting, if you say you are moving before he has PR Visa you very well may run into some problems that could end up with him being denied entry.

What would I need to do to go there - just visit and stay, or what? I have an online job so I can support myself.

yep pretty much

If we did move back and file, my husband would not have had a job up there for a year, nor would he have Canadian tax forms to show income. Would that negatively impact us?

your husband can not officially move until after he has a PR Visa, he will have to keep status during the process either by hopping the border after 6 months or applying for a visitor visa extension. He will not need any tax documents you should have an option C I dunno how you are doing your taxes but whatever you have should be good enough they just want to see it but there is no income requirements for spousal sponsorship.

If I am up there, how soon can I get an open work permit?

work permits are to be filed with in-land applications only and they are issued once you receive an AIP after 1st stage approval which I think they have posted as 5 to 6 months? times changes so but after the 1st stage approval it will be issued. then there is another 6 to 8 month wait for the visa to be issued.

Is there a phone number where people answer the phone to answer immigration questions in the US :-D

Good luck with finding one LOL if you do share it!

Medicals - when do I do them?

Do them before sending in the application make sure to let the DMP know you are filing family class there are different rules for different classes and family class is the only class they like to have meds done and sent with the application, they will send the application back as incomplete if not...


Of course which way you file is completely up to you and some cases do take longer then others, but you guys have been together for a long time and should have a straight forward case... my spouse and I have been together 13 years and just filed this year. I just got my decision made today 6 months and 16 days from the day we filed... I filed out-land so I am done the whole process in the time it would have taken to get a work permit issued if I had filed in-land either way Good Luck!

 

[proco]

Does anybody have experience with this situation. I applied for temporary visitor visa while waiting for my permanent residence visa to be issued. The process for my permanent residence visa has gone quicker than expected and I plan to obtain it soon, quicker than the temporary visa. Can I cancel my application for the visitor visa and get back the $75 I paid for it? Also, will this cause any confusion with the visa office?

 

[computergeek]

Does anybody have experience with this situation. I applied for temporary visitor visa while waiting for my permanent residence visa to be issued. The process for my permanent residence visa has gone quicker than expected and I plan to obtain it soon, quicker than the temporary visa. Can I cancel my application for the visitor visa and get back the $75 I paid for it? Also, will this cause any confusion with the visa office?

Yes, you may withdraw your visitor extension request. In fact, if you land before they get to your VR extension request, they should just cancel it and refund the money (I've seen this happen for work permits before). I wouldn't do it until you have the COPR in your hand though (or after you land) because that application is what keeps you in status. Of course, once you leave Canada, you lose implied status anyway, so withdrawing the application at that point is safe.

I faced the same situation last month - work permit extension filed 10 August, work permit expired 3 September, COPR issued 10 October and I landed 13 October - more than a month before they were likely to get to my work permit anyway. So we sent them a letter asking for the application to be withdrawn. Eventually they will send a refund for the application fee.

Congratulations!

 

[proco]

Yes, you may withdraw your visitor extension request. In fact, if you land before they get to your VR extension request, they should just cancel it and refund the money (I've seen this happen for work permits before). I wouldn't do it until you have the COPR in your hand though (or after you land) because that application is what keeps you in status. Of course, once you leave Canada, you lose implied status anyway, so withdrawing the application at that point is safe.

I faced the same situation last month - work permit extension filed 10 August, work permit expired 3 September, COPR issued 10 October and I landed 13 October - more than a month before they were likely to get to my work permit anyway. So we sent them a letter asking for the application to be withdrawn. Eventually they will send a refund for the application fee.

Congratulations!

Thanks computergeek! I will take your advice and wait for COPR and then send a letter requesting withdrawal of the application or mention it when I land. A little strange that there is no process set up to withdrawal the application. I looked all over the CIC website for a link and couldn't find any information. I would imagine it is somewhat common for this to happen.

Curious what will happen if they get to the temp request before COPR is issued? Will I just be out of luck and receive temp status for the short time? Or will they see this and understand it is not necessary?

****Just found this**** Hopefully I'll get the COPR before processing. If not I guess I'll be out the $75, not too bad.

Refunds

To obtain a refund, you need to send a written request to withdraw your application to the processing centre at CPC Vegreville, 6212-55th Avenue, Vegrevile, Alberta, T9C 1W5.

The processing fee is only refundable if we receive your request before processing has begun. Once we have started to process your application, there will be no refunds regardless of the final decision. We will issue the refund to the person indicated on the “Payer Information” section of the receipt. If there is no name indicated on the receipt, we will send the refund to you.