killborn said:
Looking for some advice from all of you who have already started this process.
Here is our situation:
I am a US citizen and my partner is Canadian. I moved up to BC just over 2 years ago. I work(ed) from home and would travel into the USA to see clients for about 2 days a month with the rest of my time in BC. I never had to apply for an extension as my visitor status renewed for 6 months at every crossing. We are looking to apply on the basis of common law.
Finally ready to apply and looking for the best route. We had completed the package last year, but due to other pressing priorities it had to wait. I am guessing that with the changes, some documents may have changed?
Can I still apply Outland if we have been living together in BC? I have the option of using a residence/address just across the border if needed. We have had a joint bank account in Canada since I moved, we have several notarized affidavits from friends etc. Lots of pictures etc etc. I still need to work on Police clearance and hoping I can still use an agent for those.
Anything I am missing? Any advice?
you will definitely need to start the application from scratch. your old documents will be helpful in answering the questions, but that's about it. the entire package and the requirements changed in january and they will not accept the old packet. you may also find some of the forms have been updated - older versions of forms (even if there is no obvious change) will not be accepted.
you should definitely be applying outland - it is currently taking 5-6 months for US applicants. it is not necessary to use a us address in the application, you can certainly use your BC address. an outland application is not about where you are physically, it's everything to do with your citizenship and what visa office processes the application. DO NOT APPLY INLAND. there is STILL no reason for us citizens to do so!!!
note, the police clearance and medical exam are no longer submitted upfront. it will be requested during the process. also, us citizens can
now get the report from an approved channeler, so you won't have to wait months to get it. again, the process has changed slightly, so you will want to familiarize yourself with the new guide and requirements:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/sponsor/spouse.asp
my extension goes through, does this mean I should be able to come and go as I please within that time frame without issues (barring a very cranky border officer)? For ex. if I get another 6 month extension for July-Dec, does that remain as such even if I leave the country and return? Or if, for ex., I went on a trip in October and then came back 2 weeks later, would they say my visa extension isn't valid anymore because I had left and in turn I'd be reassessed at the border? I'd also have a copy of my submitted PR app with me, so I'd think it'd be smooth enough sailing but just checking.
