+1(514) 937-9445 or Toll-free (Canada & US) +1 (888) 947-9445

Visitor visa/Visitor record..or other possibilities...pls help..pls,

Yamahar1

Hero Member
Mar 12, 2013
334
2
Hi everyone..I am in a big dilemma....

I applied for Pr in January..and id not get any response /AOR from the cic yet. My post grad work pmt is expiring in July. I don't know what to do now.

As I do not have any positive response, I am not eligible for the BRIDGING WORK PERMIT.In that case I Have two options.

1. Apply for a visitors record (that's what CIC call center agent told me once). I have no idea about it . Is it a paper like the work permit/study permit that we carry in our passport?. The problem is that I have to travel in july/august period to my country urgently and I am from a country that will require a visa to enter Canada. the temp permits(work,study) alone will not be enough .So, even if I Get one ( VR) within the next 2/3 months, I will not have the time for applying and receiving TRV before July. I am not even sure that they provide a TRV against a visitor record.

2. My second option is to apply for a plain and simple visitor visa from within Canada (like the one and only sticker visa) but in the application form, what am I supposed to write about my intention to apply for a visitor visa? how long will I staying, where will I be staying etc?

What are the chances of me getting a Visitor visa? how long they usually grant one for? I also wanted to know if it will hamper my PR application in any way..because then I will not be a Canadian resident anymore and will it be a issue while re-entering Canada?

3. Suppose I am granted a visitor visa an later I get my AOR, then can I apply for a Bridging work permit while on a tourist visa? will that work at all?


Thank you guyz so much in advance..your kind words,advice,suggestion,experience will help me in a great way and IT WILL MAKE A LOT OF DIFFERENCE TO ME.(Its very hard o get to the cic call centre and even harder to get the accurate info sometimes).

Will be grateful to you all..

Thnks :)
 

HY325

Hero Member
Jan 9, 2013
306
10
Category........
Visa Office......
CPP-O
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
14-01-2013
AOR Received.
20-02-2013
VISA ISSUED...
08-01-2014
LANDED..........
18-01-2014
As far as I know, all of January applicants received their AOR or had their application sent back to them.
If CIC didn't return your application by now, there's a chance you might have gotten your AOR already.
I would recommend you to check your spam folder first.

Regarding other issues, hopefully other experts can help you out.
Good luck.
 

jes_ON

VIP Member
Jun 22, 2009
12,091
1,421
Category........
Visa Office......
New York
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
06-May-2010
AOR Received.
13-Aug-2010
File Transfer...
01-Mar-2011
Passport Req..
30-Jun-2011
VISA ISSUED...
12-Jul-2011 (received 25-Jul-2011)
LANDED..........
03-Sep-2011
Yamahar1 said:
I applied for Pr in January..and id not get any response /AOR from the cic yet. My post grad work pmt is expiring in July. I don't know what to do now.

As I do not have any positive response, I am not eligible for the BRIDGING WORK PERMIT.

First, PATIENCE. You have until July to apply for the BOWP. You will have your AOR before then. And by the way, a lot of people get that email from CIC saying "we have received your application..." and don't realize that that IS the AOR (acknowledgement of receipt).

3. Suppose I am granted a visitor visa an later I get my AOR, then can I apply for a Bridging work permit while on a tourist visa? will that work at all?

No. You have to have a current, valid work permit to apply for the BOWP.
 

Ottawa10

Star Member
Aug 24, 2011
169
1
Patience. I've read one Feb applicant got his/her application returned. So if your application has not been returned yet, I am sure you are ok.
My AOR came in 2wks before my PGWO expired. So you have plenty of time before July.

Good luck.
 

Yamahar1

Hero Member
Mar 12, 2013
334
2
Thanks for the reply guyz..I really appreciate it.
I had another question. Can I apply for a visitor visa from within Canada? I do notcare if I can work or not..I just need to travel and be able to return to canada with a visa.Today I CALL CIC CALL CENTER and the agent said its no use because the visa will be issued only until your work permit :eek: ??? (?????) come on..this is not a TRV..this is a visitor/tourist visa...I think he may be confused....what do you think guyz?
 

Ottawa10

Star Member
Aug 24, 2011
169
1
You can apply within Canada but you need to have a valid document to stay in Canada upon applying (30 days before your status expires).
I am not sure how long the visitor visa is supposed to be, though.
 

Bhanavig

Star Member
Aug 17, 2012
165
6
My understanding is...If you are holding valid workpermit then they do not issue you visitor visa, they will issue a visa based on your work permit only.
 

Yamahar1

Hero Member
Mar 12, 2013
334
2
@Bhanavig..: OMG that means the agent was right...but the problem is I need to travel in July... :( :(.....what are my other options??
 

Yamahar1

Hero Member
Mar 12, 2013
334
2
Ottawa10 said:
You can apply within Canada but you need to have a valid document to stay in Canada upon applying (30 days before your status expires).
I am not sure how long the visitor visa is supposed to be, though.
Thats what I think too bro...but the call center people have different information.... really in a big mess I am!
 

jes_ON

VIP Member
Jun 22, 2009
12,091
1,421
Category........
Visa Office......
New York
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
06-May-2010
AOR Received.
13-Aug-2010
File Transfer...
01-Mar-2011
Passport Req..
30-Jun-2011
VISA ISSUED...
12-Jul-2011 (received 25-Jul-2011)
LANDED..........
03-Sep-2011
Let's distinguish between a TRV and a visitor's permit.

- TRV - temporary resident visa - this is a travel document. You need this to travel TO Canada if you are not from a visa-exempt country. It doesn't matter what type of temporary resident permit you have (student, worker, or visitor).

- Visitor's permit - allows you to reside in Canada for a period of time as a visitor - does not authorize work or study. And yes, if you currently reside in Canada under a work or study permit, you can apply to change to a visitor's permit inside Canada -

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/visitor.asp
 

Ottawa10

Star Member
Aug 24, 2011
169
1
That's odd... I am not sure why you would need a visitor visa to stay when you already have a valid WP in the first place...
I know they will not issue any documents that exceeds your passport validity date but I've never hard of this one.

You should call the centre for options...
 

Yamahar1

Hero Member
Mar 12, 2013
334
2
Ottawa10 said:
That's odd... I am not sure why you would need a visitor visa to stay when you already have a valid WP in the first place...
I know they will not issue any documents that exceeds your passport validity date but I've never hard of this one.

You should call the centre for options...
I want the visitor visa after my work permit expires in July..but I want to apply in advance because I am not certain if I shall get my AOR until July.
 

Yamahar1

Hero Member
Mar 12, 2013
334
2
jes_ON said:
Let's distinguish between a TRV and a visitor's permit.

- TRV - temporary resident visa - this is a travel document. You need this to travel TO Canada if you are not from a visa-exempt country. It doesn't matter what type of temporary resident permit you have (student, worker, or visitor).

- Visitor's permit - allows you to reside in Canada for a period of time as a visitor - does not authorize work or study. And yes, if you currently reside in Canada under a work or study permit, you can apply to change to a visitor's permit inside Canada -
Thanks for the reply buddy..does that mean I should apply for a visitor record and then a TRV..can it be done..ie, a TRV on the basis of a VR?
 

seton

Hero Member
Jun 6, 2012
513
61
Category........
Visa Office......
Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
04-06-2012
AOR Received.
05-11-2012
Med's Request
15-02-2013
Med's Done....
21-02-2013
Passport Req..
04-04-2013
VISA ISSUED...
22-04-2013
LANDED..........
03-05-2013
Yamahar1 said:
Thanks for the reply buddy..does that mean I should apply for a visitor record and then a TRV..can it be done..ie, a TRV on the basis of a VR?
They are 2 different things. Your Visitor Permit is either issued at the border, or through an adjustment of status. The TRV length is usually based on your status. A TRV allows you to cross the border. Your Permit is what authorizes your stay in Canada, and the conditions of the stay.

Because your WP expires in July, trying to change your status to a visitor now doesn't make sense. Are you travelling before or after your WP expires?

When does your current TRV expire? (I'm assuming the same time as your WP, but just checking)
 

Yamahar1

Hero Member
Mar 12, 2013
334
2
seton said:
They are 2 different things. Your Visitor Permit is either issued at the border, or through an adjustment of status. The TRV length is usually based on your status. A TRV allows you to cross the border. Your Permit is what authorizes your stay in Canada, and the conditions of the stay.

Because your WP expires in July, trying to change your status to a visitor now doesn't make sense. Are you travelling before or after your WP expires?
I want to travel after my wp expires.

When does your current TRV expire?(I'm assuming the same time as your WP, but just checking) Yes, in July end..same as wp