US outland applicants' thread :)

[csturner92]

THIS! I am shocked the call centre agent actually got it right for once. If there was one thing that was the most important thing to know in this process is that ECAS is NOT updated in real time and really is NO indication as to what's going on with your file. for the most part, the updates are made AFTER the applicant is notified about something or not at all (at least prior to the new system, that's how it worked).



yes, that is the sacrifice that is made when staying in canada. the benefit to US applicants is that it only takes 5-6 months for approval. in the grand scheme of things, it's really not that long and there are a lot of other countries that don't have that privilege.

It's funny because on the CIC website before linking to ECAS, it says it is updated daily!


Yeah, it's a small sacrifice to be with my wife. Only takes 5-6 months, and it's already been two. Time goes so slow when I'm not working though. I guess I should be thankful to have the opportunity not a lot of other countries get to have.

 

[CDNPR2014]

It's funny because on the CIC website before linking to ECAS, it says it is updated daily!

ha! such lies!

Yeah, it's a small sacrifice to be with my wife. Only takes 5-6 months, and it's already been two. Time goes so slow when I'm not working though. I guess I should be thankful to have the opportunity not a lot of other countries get to have.

yeah, it can be tough. i don't recommend taking up baking. we received a kitchenaid mixer as a wedding gift, and well, while all the treats were yummy, it certainly didn't mix well with not having much else to do. OMG, all i did was gain weight while waiting for approval!

 

[csturner92]

ha! such lies!

yeah, it can be tough. i don't recommend taking up baking. we received a kitchenaid mixer as a wedding gift, and well, while all the treats were yummy, it certainly didn't mix well with not having much else to do. OMG, all i did was gain weight while waiting for approval!

We're looking at gym memberships actually... so if anything I might just spend hours a day at the gym!

 

[CanadianZenGirl]

My application to date still says "Application Received" in ecas, and this is because CIC has not needed me to upload my Schedule A or PC documents. I mailed these documents in with my original application because I already had them prepared before the new changes rolled out.

The reason, more likely, is that whomever is working on your file simply hasn't bothered to update. I, and a good many others in this particular thread, applied using the old kit, with everything sent in upfront, and our e-CAS pages have been updated for the most part. I would take anything people at the call centre say with a grain of salt.

 

[Staunts2015]

Hello everyone! It's been a while since I posted any updates here, but here is what's going on for me (and probably anyone that did what I did)...


My application to date still says "Application Received" in ecas, and this is because CIC has not needed me to upload my Schedule A or PC documents. I mailed these documents in with my original application because I already had them prepared before the new changes rolled out. My wife and I were quite concerned that we were stuck in "Application Received" when nearly every other applicant was "In Progress".

On 03/24/2017 at around 6am (8am in Mississauga) I called the call centre using an phone app that gave me a real Canadian number. The officer informed me that the e-mail that was sent out saying I needed to upload my Schedule A & PC within 30 days is in fact a generic e-mail that is sent out, and that I need not worry. He said that he can see my Schedule A and PC already with my file and it's just a matter of waiting for them to process all of it. He informed me even though ecas says "Application Received" my application is "In Progress" and not to rely on ecas for updates.

He also informed me that my next step (if and or when required) would be to submit to a medical exam, which I know.


I left my job on 04/04/2017 and crossed the border and told them I wanted to cross with dual-intent, and they issued me a TRV good until August 31st, at which point I will need to show a copy of my renewed lease agreement for my apartment in the USA (roommate allowing me to stay on lease for this reason, awesome guy!!!) when I apply for an extension.


So here I sit, in Kamloops... unemployed... not allowed to work or make any money.... while my wife pays for everything (she's fine with it, prefers it to me seeing her for two/three days every one/two weeks)... while our application processes.


Great times! Hope everyone else is having a good time as well.

What does it mean to cross with dual-intent? What's the purpose of it?

 

[csturner92]

What does it mean to cross with dual-intent? What's the purpose of it?

Gets me a TRV which allows me to stay in Canada for an extended period of time, and it can be extended online so my stay can be for up to a year (or longer) without needing to go back to the states for anything. Basically allows me to live with my wife in Canada while our application is processed.

 

[Gladmin]

Hey All
My husbands and I application was sent back regarding "document checklist- spouse imm5533"
They highlighted the list that we have to look over the following:
1. Application to sponsor, sponsorship and undertaking:
we went through it and its been signed by me and him. We both don't see any mistakes at all.
Can anyone tell me if they have the same problem?
2. Identity of documents travel documents and passports.
They highlighted birth certificate or baptismal for yourself and all the family members whether they are accompanying you to Canada or not.
Does this mean my husband need to send his birth certificate? do I need to send mine. we already sent a copy of his passport. or do we need to send a copy of his American citizenship certificate enable to have proof? Do they need his parents and his siblings and his moms birth certificate? Can ny husband make a copy if his voters certificate?
3. proof of relationship to sponsor.
we clicked all "NO" because we are not living together, we don't have a child together ( only I do from previous relationship), this is my first marriage and my husband is divorced and presented all the documentation from the court regarding his divorced papers, and last it says if we have been married for two years as of the date of application. We have been married for one year and been together a year before that.
4.we need to send one of the following documents of joint ownership, utilities etc. proof of relationship by friends and family members. We have submitted text messages, pictures of our wedding with friends and family, email from each other, my bus ticket that I go to Seattle. Do I need to send them a screenshot of our facebook, Instagram, etc? WE don't live together and we only have proof ie: pictures and email and text. WE don't have any joint accounts. my bills (utilities) with his name. rent aggreements. Do I need those to have proof that we are together?
we don't know what other proof we need to send out, this is all from the highlighted part .

 

[viva-c]

Gets me a TRV which allows me to stay in Canada for an extended period of time, and it can be extended online so my stay can be for up to a year (or longer) without needing to go back to the states for anything. Basically allows me to live with my wife in Canada while our application is processed.

Are you an American citizen? If so, this is called a visitor record. Americans do not need/are not eligible for TRVs. Just FYI

 

[CDNPR2014]

Hey All
My husbands and I application was sent back regarding "document checklist- spouse imm5533"
They highlighted the list that we have to look over the following:
1. Application to sponsor, sponsorship and undertaking:
we went through it and its been signed by me and him. We both don't see any mistakes at all.
Can anyone tell me if they have the same problem?
2. Identity of documents travel documents and passports.
They highlighted birth certificate or baptismal for yourself and all the family members whether they are accompanying you to Canada or not.
Does this mean my husband need to send his birth certificate? do I need to send mine. we already sent a copy of his passport. or do we need to send a copy of his American citizenship certificate enable to have proof? Do they need his parents and his siblings and his moms birth certificate? Can ny husband make a copy if his voters certificate?
3. proof of relationship to sponsor.
we clicked all "NO" because we are not living together, we don't have a child together ( only I do from previous relationship), this is my first marriage and my husband is divorced and presented all the documentation from the court regarding his divorced papers, and last it says if we have been married for two years as of the date of application. We have been married for one year and been together a year before that.
4.we need to send one of the following documents of joint ownership, utilities etc. proof of relationship by friends and family members. We have submitted text messages, pictures of our wedding with friends and family, email from each other, my bus ticket that I go to Seattle. Do I need to send them a screenshot of our facebook, Instagram, etc? WE don't live together and we only have proof ie: pictures and email and text. WE don't have any joint accounts. my bills (utilities) with his name. rent aggreements. Do I need those to have proof that we are together?
we don't know what other proof we need to send out, this is all from the highlighted part .

1. double check to make sure you did not submit an outdated form. go to the forms online and see if there is a newer version. the only difference would be the date. the form would look exactly the same otherwise.

2. the birth certificate is a required document. it clearly states on the checklist the applicant must provide all the documents that are available to him. it does not suggest either/or. a birth certificate is available for us citizens. the only ones that don't apply are the national identity card and family booklet. ONLY your husband needs to submit these forms because he is the only person seeking PR status. The mention of family members refers to when more than 1 person is applying for pr - for spousal sponsorships this means children. You as the sponsor and his immediate family who are not seeking pr status do not submit these items.

3 & 4. even though you checked "no" to the first question, that doesn't mean you don't have to submit proof of your relationship. this is the biggest part of the application. this is where you prove your relationship is real. you really need to read the checklist very carefully. it says clearly in section 7 (half way down) if you did not answer yes to all four questions, you need to provide specific items. there are 4 checkboxes of relationship proof required. if you can not submit those items, then you need to write a letter of explanation as to why it's not available. don't just assume these items are not available. visitors can be added to some utility bills and as beneficiaries. if it's not possible, you need to tell them you've tried to do these things and can't do it because of what ever reason. show proof of your efforts. your application needs to include SOMETHING to prove your relationship is ongoing and known to other people besides pictures and text messages.

 

[Staunts2015]

Gets me a TRV which allows me to stay in Canada for an extended period of time, and it can be extended online so my stay can be for up to a year (or longer) without needing to go back to the states for anything. Basically allows me to live with my wife in Canada while our application is processed.

Oh ok. I was thinking it had to do with something else. Thanks for the reply!

 

[Gladmin]

1. double check to make sure you did not submit an outdated form. go to the forms online and see if there is a newer version. the only difference would be the date. the form would look exactly the same otherwise.

2. the birth certificate is a required document. it clearly states on the checklist the applicant must provide all the documents that are available to him. it does not suggest either/or. a birth certificate is available for us citizens. the only ones that don't apply are the national identity card and family booklet. ONLY your husband needs to submit these forms because he is the only person seeking PR status. The mention of family members refers to when more than 1 person is applying for pr - for spousal sponsorships this means children. You as the sponsor and his immediate family who are not seeking pr status do not submit these items.

3 & 4. even though you checked "no" to the first question, that doesn't mean you don't have to submit proof of your relationship. this is the biggest part of the application. this is where you prove your relationship is real. you really need to read the checklist very carefully. it says clearly in section 7 (half way down) if you did not answer yes to all four questions, you need to provide specific items. there are 4 checkboxes of relationship proof required. if you can not submit those items, then you need to write a letter of explanation as to why it's not available. don't just assume these items are not available. visitors can be added to some utility bills and as beneficiaries. if it's not possible, you need to tell them you've tried to do these things and can't do it because of what ever reason. show proof of your efforts. your application needs to include SOMETHING to prove your relationship is ongoing and known to other people besides pictures and text messages.

As for the birth certificate. My husband was born in a refugee camp and he came to the states when he was only 3 yrs old

 

[CDNPR2014]

As for the birth certificate. My husband was born in a refugee camp and he came to the states when he was only 3 yrs old

then he needs to explain that, not just ignore the requirement and he should submit any citizenship paperwork he has. how was his identity proven to become a us citizen?

 

[Gladmin]

then he needs to explain that, not just ignore the requirement and he should submit any citizenship paperwork he has. how was his identity proven to become a us citizen?

When he applied for his u.s citizenship he submitted his green card and all but the thing is.. they took all his documents. Is there anyway fpr this? Send a copy of his u.s citizenship, he didnt submit that part,

 

[CDNPR2014]

When he applied for his u.s citizenship he submitted his green card and all but the thing is.. they took all his documents. Is there anyway fpr this? Send a copy of his u.s citizenship, he didnt submit that part,

yes, send a copy of any citizenship paperwork he has and write a letter of explanation that clearly explains the issue.

 

[Gladmin]

yes, send a copy of any citizenship paperwork he has and write a letter of explanation that clearly explains the issue.

Putting his name on utilities and rental agreement.. will also be a proof of our relationship.