Hi all, I frequently lurked in this forum during the long wait for my visitor visa and I was often left anxious and pessimistic because of all the warnings that I read about spouses having very little chance of getting approved for a visitor visa, so I promised myself that I would post my journey here when I get approved, for the reference of people who may be in the same situation as I had been and may have as many questions as I had. Of course, every case is different and the approval of my application is *not* in any way a guarantee that others will be approved, but I just want to let people know that it's not hopeless. It may be worth it to take a chance, if you have the means to.
APPLICATION VIA GCKEY
Applied April 20, 2021. I completed my biometrics on April 23, 2021 and belatedly applied for COVID exemption on June 11, 2021. The last update I received from IRCC was on June 30, 2021 saying that they were looking at my application. After that, there was radio silence and no movement in the online account and I decided not to follow up actively because what was the point? If they were swamped, they were swamped. I waited until end of November 2021, then I gave up and started a new application. Note: I have not asked for a refund for this, but I may start looking into it soon.
APPLICATION VIA IRCC PORTAL
Since I read of people's applications on the IRCC portal moving faster, I decided to start a new application there. I applied on November 30, 2021. My biometrics from the previous application were still valid. I received a Medical Exam request on December 15, 2021. I was lucky enough to find a slot at an accredited clinic within the next 30 days which was the time limit provided, and I was able to complete my Medical Exam on January 11, 2022. It reflected on the online portal as "Submitted" on January 15, 2022. I received my approval notice and passport request via the portal on February 2, 2022. I sent my passport to VFS on February 3, 2022. There was some confusion on their part regarding the amount I needed to pay so there was a bit of delay in getting the passport stamped, but everything got sorted out eventually and I was able to get my stamped passport via courier on February 15, 2022. All in all, from application to receipt of the stamped passport, it was 77 days.
For reference on my profile, I am in my early 30's, Filipino, employed for 5 years at my current company with an annual salary of around CAD30k. At the time of application (and until now), I have an outstanding application for PR under Family Class (Common Law Partner Outside of Canada).
For proof of financial support, I showed my savings (including joint account with my partner) amounting to around CAD 16k), 3 months of pay slips and an employment certificate from my company that indicated they are allowing me to work remotely from Canada temporarily and that they expect me to return when our work-from-home arrangement (because of the pandemic) ends. For proof of ties to my home country, I referenced that employment certificate as well, plus provided the Deed of Sale for a condo unit that I purchased (and continue to pay mortgage for) in the Philippines.
For proof of relationship, I provided around 20 photos with brief write-ups on context, officially translated chats between my partner and myself, and a cover letter with a timeline and explanation of our relationship. I also had to submit a notarized IMM5409 or Statutory Declaration of Common Law Union along with supporting documents: notarized certificate of residency from the property manager of the building where my partner and I lived together while he was still in the Philippines, his life insurance policy showing me as a beneficiary, bank statement proving a joint bank account, and an email from IRCC acknowledging the receipt of our PR application under the Family Class.
ARRIVAL IN CANADA
I flew to Canada on March 4, 2022. I was stamped in at the border for a 6-month stay. Important: I was asked for proof of a return flight by both the airline (Korean Air) prior to departure and by the CBSA agent at the border upon arrival. Get a return flight!! IRCC says it is not required, but CBSA asked to see mine at the border, and another person in the line did not have one and was refused entry. So make sure to get one before your flight! I was also informed by the airline that travel insurance is required, but neither the airline nor the CBSA agent asked to see it. I'd suggest to get one anyway since visitors are not covered by the free healthcare in Canada. I found mine through RATESDOTCA.
WHAT'S NEXT?
My PR application is also moving. We submitted our application in August 2021, received the acknowledgement in October 2021. In February 2022, my partner received his approval as a Sponsor. Within the same week, on separate days, I received the Medical Exam request and a request for Additional Proof of Relationship.
Since my Medical Exam from my Visitor Visa application is still valid, I inquired with IRCC (my partner called their hotline from within Canada) and I was requested for a copy of my eMedical info sheet from the clinic that did my exam. The clinic gave me a digital copy within 5 working days. I have just submitted it via webform to IRCC. In the same webform, I updated them that I am temporarily staying in Canada and gave my updated mailing address should they need to send me anything within this period.
By next weekend, I will be sending another webform to share the Additional Proof of Relationship which will include more officially translated social media posts, chats, proof of me visiting my partner in Canada (flight ticket, passport stamp, visitor insurance) and also photos of us from our various video calls while apart and photos of us now together here. We hope that the journey will continue to be smooth. I'll share more on this when I also get approved, hopefully soon!! *fingers crossed*
Thank you!
APPLICATION VIA GCKEY
Applied April 20, 2021. I completed my biometrics on April 23, 2021 and belatedly applied for COVID exemption on June 11, 2021. The last update I received from IRCC was on June 30, 2021 saying that they were looking at my application. After that, there was radio silence and no movement in the online account and I decided not to follow up actively because what was the point? If they were swamped, they were swamped. I waited until end of November 2021, then I gave up and started a new application. Note: I have not asked for a refund for this, but I may start looking into it soon.
APPLICATION VIA IRCC PORTAL
Since I read of people's applications on the IRCC portal moving faster, I decided to start a new application there. I applied on November 30, 2021. My biometrics from the previous application were still valid. I received a Medical Exam request on December 15, 2021. I was lucky enough to find a slot at an accredited clinic within the next 30 days which was the time limit provided, and I was able to complete my Medical Exam on January 11, 2022. It reflected on the online portal as "Submitted" on January 15, 2022. I received my approval notice and passport request via the portal on February 2, 2022. I sent my passport to VFS on February 3, 2022. There was some confusion on their part regarding the amount I needed to pay so there was a bit of delay in getting the passport stamped, but everything got sorted out eventually and I was able to get my stamped passport via courier on February 15, 2022. All in all, from application to receipt of the stamped passport, it was 77 days.
For reference on my profile, I am in my early 30's, Filipino, employed for 5 years at my current company with an annual salary of around CAD30k. At the time of application (and until now), I have an outstanding application for PR under Family Class (Common Law Partner Outside of Canada).
For proof of financial support, I showed my savings (including joint account with my partner) amounting to around CAD 16k), 3 months of pay slips and an employment certificate from my company that indicated they are allowing me to work remotely from Canada temporarily and that they expect me to return when our work-from-home arrangement (because of the pandemic) ends. For proof of ties to my home country, I referenced that employment certificate as well, plus provided the Deed of Sale for a condo unit that I purchased (and continue to pay mortgage for) in the Philippines.
For proof of relationship, I provided around 20 photos with brief write-ups on context, officially translated chats between my partner and myself, and a cover letter with a timeline and explanation of our relationship. I also had to submit a notarized IMM5409 or Statutory Declaration of Common Law Union along with supporting documents: notarized certificate of residency from the property manager of the building where my partner and I lived together while he was still in the Philippines, his life insurance policy showing me as a beneficiary, bank statement proving a joint bank account, and an email from IRCC acknowledging the receipt of our PR application under the Family Class.
ARRIVAL IN CANADA
I flew to Canada on March 4, 2022. I was stamped in at the border for a 6-month stay. Important: I was asked for proof of a return flight by both the airline (Korean Air) prior to departure and by the CBSA agent at the border upon arrival. Get a return flight!! IRCC says it is not required, but CBSA asked to see mine at the border, and another person in the line did not have one and was refused entry. So make sure to get one before your flight! I was also informed by the airline that travel insurance is required, but neither the airline nor the CBSA agent asked to see it. I'd suggest to get one anyway since visitors are not covered by the free healthcare in Canada. I found mine through RATESDOTCA.
WHAT'S NEXT?
My PR application is also moving. We submitted our application in August 2021, received the acknowledgement in October 2021. In February 2022, my partner received his approval as a Sponsor. Within the same week, on separate days, I received the Medical Exam request and a request for Additional Proof of Relationship.
Since my Medical Exam from my Visitor Visa application is still valid, I inquired with IRCC (my partner called their hotline from within Canada) and I was requested for a copy of my eMedical info sheet from the clinic that did my exam. The clinic gave me a digital copy within 5 working days. I have just submitted it via webform to IRCC. In the same webform, I updated them that I am temporarily staying in Canada and gave my updated mailing address should they need to send me anything within this period.
By next weekend, I will be sending another webform to share the Additional Proof of Relationship which will include more officially translated social media posts, chats, proof of me visiting my partner in Canada (flight ticket, passport stamp, visitor insurance) and also photos of us from our various video calls while apart and photos of us now together here. We hope that the journey will continue to be smooth. I'll share more on this when I also get approved, hopefully soon!! *fingers crossed*
Thank you!
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