Visitor Visa Extension for US Citizen + Questions about Common-Law PR

[BrookeTravels]

Mentioning your work is fine, as long as you have no Canadian clients and are paid outside of Canada. If you do have Canadian clients, doing any work for them while you are in Canada is illegal.

Hey, thanks! 95% of my clients are American, with the exception of a few in Europe. None are located in Canada. I appreciate your heads up on this. *thumbs up*

 

[BrookeTravels]

Re: Health Coverage in BC for Permanent Resident Applicants

You will not be able to get provincial coverage in BC for awhile. BC MSP states that spouses with a PR app accepted by CIC can get coverage but this is EXTREMELY hard to actually get, as most MSP staff aren't really aware of what that means. Those who have managed to get coverage have had to seriously fight for it; most lose. The majority of insurance companies (not Shaw but their insurance provider) require people to have provincial coverage first, so make sure to double check that. Also, benefits do not cover regular doctor visits either; they are an extension of provincial coverage and cover stuff like PT, dental etc. Health coverage has nothing to do with CIC and no effect on the PR app.

As said above, you will need more than just letters.

Thanks for the details regarding health coverage. I believe my partner has a good HR Manager involved that is actually aware of the CIC regulations regarding me being able to be added to the extended coverage after the application to sponsor me is accepted.

As for provincial coverage as you mentioned... that is a bummer. I guess I'll have to wait to apply for that once my PR is completed.

In the meantime - From my understanding there is no travel insurance that would cover me right now since I'm already up here in Canada and past the 30 day requirement for ordering visitor health coverage after crossing the border.



I did find this info regarding Provincial Coverage for BC PR applicants: ( does anyone have experience with this step in the PR process?)

http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/bc-residents/eligibility-and-enrolment/are-you-eligible/applicants-for-permanent-resident-status

"Applicants for Permanent Resident Status

In some cases, the sponsored spouse or child of a B.C. resident, who is an Applicant for Permanent Resident Status, may be eligible for coverage.


[...] In addition, certain non-permanent residents may be deemed residents and thus be considered eligible; for example, many holders of study permits and work permits if the permits are valid for six or more months, and many applicants for permanent resident status who are the spouse or child of a resident. "

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Re: Health Coverage in BC for Permanent Resident Applicants

Thanks for the details regarding health coverage. I believe my partner has a good HR Manager involved that is actually aware of the CIC regulations regarding me being able to be added to the extended coverage after the application to sponsor me is accepted.

Again, health coverage/benefits has NOTHING to do with CIC. I suggest you get something in writing (from the insurance company's actual policies, not a letter from HR), as many HR people aren't really aware of the exact policies. If provincial coverage is required but you manage to get on the plan anyways, the insurance company can come after you for any claims if they find out.

I did find this info regarding Provincial Coverage for BC PR applicants: ( does anyone have experience with this step in the PR process?)

http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/bc-residents/eligibility-and-enrolment/are-you-eligible/applicants-for-permanent-resident-status

As I said in my previous post, BC MSP states that on the website, this being the policy http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/health-drug-coverage/medical-services-plan/bc-residents/eligibility-and-enrolment/are-you-eligible/covering-a-spouse-or-child-who-is-an-applicant-for-permanent-resident-status-in-canada.pdf. However, in practice, it is very difficult. It took me months of fighting with MSP and filing an official complaint with the Minister of Health before my partner was covered. Most people aren't successful with this fight.

 

[BrookeTravels]

Re: Health Coverage in BC for Permanent Resident Applicants

Again, health coverage/benefits has NOTHING to do with CIC. I suggest you get something in writing (from the insurance company's actual policies, not a letter from HR), as many HR people aren't really aware of the exact policies. If provincial coverage is required but you manage to get on the plan anyways, the insurance company can come after you for any claims if they find out.


As I said in my previous post, BC MSP states that on the website, this being the policy
However, in practice, it is very difficult. It took me months of fighting with MSP and filing an official complaint with the Minister of Health before my partner was covered. Most people aren't successful with this fight.

Forgive me for being new at all of this... I didn't mean to use CIC in my post... BC MSP was what I was thinking about. I understand what you meant. I hope the context of the remainder of my post shows that. Anyway, I'll give this post a rest for a bit - I've received some really great advice and assistance from all you folks. Thanks again!

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Re: Health Coverage in BC for Permanent Resident Applicants

Forgive me for being new at all of this... I didn't mean to use CIC in my post... I understand what you meant. I hope the context of the remainder of my post shows that.

No prob, I just wanted to make sure that you understood.

 

[BrookeTravels]

Hey guys! I'm back

I noticed that there are different PR forms required depending on if you're filing from within Canada or not. I want to make sure we are filling out the proper form for an OUTBOUND application for myself (I'm the sponsored US Citizen, living in Canada on a visitors visa)

My question: Can someone please help me figure out which forms are required for my particular situation? The website states the following:
"If your spouse or partner lives with you in Canada, use the Application for Permanent Residence in Canada—Spouse or Common-Law Partner. "
"If your spouse, partner or dependent child lives outside Canada, use the Application to Sponsor a Member of the Family Class.
If we approve you as a sponsor, the CPC will send your family member’s application to a Canadian visa office to be processed."

I'm not sure which status we fall under, since I'm staying here in Canada, but want quick processing by filing Outbound.

Are these all the forms we need? I cannot seem to find the difference between the forms my partner needs to fill out and the ones I'm required to fill out.

IMM 0888 (Generic Application)
IMM 1344 (Application to sponsor, undertaking agreement)
IMM 5481 (Sponsor Evaluation)
IMM 5540 (Sponsor questionnaire)
IMM 5285 (spouse/common-law partner questionnaire)
IMM 5406 (additional family information)

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Here is the outland app package http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/fc.asp.

 

[BrookeTravels]

Here is the outland app package http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/fc.asp.

Thank you, I wasn't sure which one we should use. The wording on their website is a bit tricky. I'm also looking for forum posts here for people dealing with the same situation I am, along the same timeline so I don't have to keep posting on this thread..

 

[BrookeTravels]

Here is the outland app package http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/fc.asp.

Hey everyone! So..... we decided to go ahead and tie the knot, and then apply for my PR outbound. *happy dance* I will be applying for my visitors visa extension, getting married, then applying for my PR all within the next month. We have a lot of paperwork ahead of us!

Question:
I had an American friend go through the process a few years back and she told me I will have to leave Canada for 24 hours in order to apply outbound. Is there any truth to this for current applicants?

 

[Rob_TO]

Question:
I had an American friend go through the process a few years back and she told me I will have to leave Canada for 24 hours in order to apply outbound. Is there any truth to this for current applicants?

That's completely wrong info. It's not a requirement now, nor was it a requirement in the past. Countless people submit outland apps while living in Canada, and even put their Canadian address as current residence in the application. Be careful when listening to "advice" from that friend.

The only time you need to leave and re-enter Canada, is when your app is fully approved and you are landing as a PR.

 

[BrookeTravels]

That's completely wrong info. It's not a requirement now, nor was it a requirement in the past. Countless people submit outland apps while living in Canada, and even put their Canadian address as current residence in the application. Be careful when listening to "advice" from that friend.

The only time you need to leave and re-enter Canada, is when your app is fully approved and you are landing as a PR.

"The only time you need to leave and re-enter Canada, is when your app is fully approved and you are landing as a PR."

Bingo! I must have completely misunderstood what she meant..... my mistake entirely, she was referring to the end of the process (after approval), not the beginning of the application. *head desk*

 

[Rob_TO]

"The only time you need to leave and re-enter Canada, is when your app is fully approved and you are landing as a PR."

Bingo! I must have completely misunderstood what she meant..... my mistake entirely, she was referring to the end of the process (after approval), not the beginning of the application. *head desk*

Even then, it's not a 24 hour requirement. You can drive to the US border and literally turn right back around to the Canadian side, staying all of 1 second in the USA.

Or some people if they aren't in a super rush to land when their app is approved, can book a landing appointment at a local CIC office and not even leave the country at all. Most people don't do this though since it can take weeks or months to get an appointment, while driving to the border is instant.

 

[Gemmie]

CIC also could choose to set you up an interview time within Canada to land and
not have to leave the country at all.

 

[Rob_TO]

CIC also could choose to set you up an interview time within Canada to land and
not have to leave the country at all.

No, for outland apps that choice is not up to CIC. Whether to land at a border crossing or make an appointment at a CIC building, is up to the applicant.

 

[BrookeTravels]

CIC also could choose to set you up an interview time within Canada to land and
not have to leave the country at all.

Thank you both for the help with the clarifications. I'm looking forward to beginning my application process!