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Wedding Arriving, Sponsorship happening, but STAMPED PASSPORT

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em-persandcollins

Newbie
Apr 30, 2014
7
0
I've recently arrived in Alberta to be with my fiancé; we were planning on marrying at the end of August during my visit here and begin our Outland Sponsorship process. However, when I crossed the border, my passport was stamped with a to-return-date by August 31st. While at the border I answered all the questions posed honestly. I didn't over embellish anything nor did I provide more information than what was asked. While I know that I can submit an extension to stay (and I will do this regardless), I'm curious what would be the best means for my being able to remain in Alberta with my soon-to-be wife.
Since my passport is stamped for an earlier date than predicted, we're wondering if stating the date of the wedding, etc. would allow me ample time to remain in Alberta through the majority of the Outland Sponsorship process. Or would Inland be our best option, considering I would be REQUIRED to remain in country during the entire Sponsorship process? My goal is to determine what would be the best means for my staying with my fiancé throughout most, if not all, of the sponsorship process.

Thank you.
 
DO NOT APPLY INLAND! Apply for the extension, and in the explanation ask for 12 months so you can get married and submit your OUTLAND application. Was the wedding planned for a date later than the end of august originally, or did you not tell them the date?

Having an extension application denied as a us citizen is very rare. The stamp on the passport just means you need to do YOUR part in maintaining legal status. It's quite normal for border agents to do this when you are not married as it's to ensure you submit your paperwork and follow the rules.

If you choose to apply inland you will be looking at a wait time of 1.5-2 years as opposed to 5-8 months by applying outland. The ottawa visa office is picking up the pace, and recent applicants have gotten through the process in 5 months total.
 
Thank you for your reply.

I do know the downfalls in applying INLAND, so I was definitely keeping that as a last resort.
The wedding was planned for August 30th, but I didn't tell them the date because they did not ask specific questions regarding my wedding plans, etc.
 
i suspect had you told them, your passport would have been stamped for a longer date. regardless, the best thing to do now is to apply for an extension, and request 12 months.
 
You may already know this?, but you have to apply for the extension to your stay at least 30 days before your date expires.
 
Evadyrrehs said:
You may already know this?, but you have to apply for the extension to your stay at least 30 days before your date expires.
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You can still apply for an extension with less than 30 days remaining. 30 days is just what CIC recommends.
 
Good to know! Maybe it's only for visa's but we made sure to follow the 30 day guideline anyhow when we did it for my then gf now wife.
 
rhcohen2014 said:
i suspect had you told them, your passport would have been stamped for a longer date. regardless, the best thing to do now is to apply for an extension, and request 12 months.
Click to expand...

I was stamped for six months ( a couple times less) since they found out we were engaged and once the application was filed. This last one was issued for a year. He had said to me once you get SA come to the office and we'll give you a year. I think based on my experience, they just want to make sure that you actually apply rather than just stay and keep extending without filing.
 
blueangel371115 said:
I was stamped for six months ( a couple times less) since they found out we were engaged and once the application was filed. This last one was issued for a year. He had said to me once you get SA come to the office and we'll give you a year. I think based on my experience, they just want to make sure that you actually apply rather than just stay and keep extending without filing.
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Awesome! Thank you for your experience/advice. I'm planning on filing ASAP just to be safe and so I don't have to have it hanging over my head.
I appreciate it!
 
em-persandcollins said:
Awesome! Thank you for your experience/advice. I'm planning on filing ASAP just to be safe and so I don't have to have it hanging over my head.
I appreciate it!
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Your welcome, I try to pay it forward, so many folks on here helped me right from the start. It makes it so much easier to handle. Sounds good, just when you have a receipt of sending the paperwork ( definitely send it registered with signature required) and maybe the receipt of fees paid, bring it when you cross or speak to the border officer, they may feel more reassured of your status/intentions and issue you a longer VR however as always it's up to the discretion of the officer you speak to but for me, so far so good.
 
The other option is to go across the boarder and get it stamped again. But I think just applying for an extension would be better (but costs money). When I crossed I was already married. I told them we were staying for 4 or 5 months while my husband finishes his contract......the young, jealous bitches gave us a 3 month limit! I was so pissed. I applied for an extension, but i never got a response so I dpn't know how long I could hav actually stay. I don't recall an option for requesting 12 months. We left after 4.5 months and applied for outland. It took 9 months to process. My husband lived in his apartment in Ontario, and I stayed with my parents in NY (still are until we move). Trust me, being apart sucks but do not over stay your limit or you'll be asking for big trouble down the road.
 
Speaking of "STAMPED PASSPORT" (these words caught my eye), onto a new question along those lines. My mother-in-law is now here on a TRV (multiple entry). We expected her passport to get a 6-month stamp in it. Her "visa" expires 18+ months from arrival. The stamp in her passport indicates no limitation 6 months or otherwise. Is there an "implied" 6 month maximum that non-visa exempt visitors must renew by, or is she good until her visa expires?
 
truesmile said:
Speaking of "STAMPED PASSPORT" (these words caught my eye), onto a new question along those lines. My mother-in-law is now here on a TRV (multiple entry). We expected her passport to get a 6-month stamp in it. Her "visa" expires 18+ months from arrival. The stamp in her passport indicates no limitation 6 months or otherwise. Is there an "implied" 6 month maximum that non-visa exempt visitors must renew by, or is she good until her visa expires?
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Usually, and more senior members can gladly correct me, the date that you have to leave ( or if possible, renew) is the date stamped on the passport. (Renew if needed at least 30 days prior also) Which may be more or less than the 6 month allowance. However, should she leave and try to return during it's validity, it is up to the officer's discretion to allow her into the country.
 
To be clear, there is NO date stamped in her passport.
 
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