What are our options? Time is ticking...

[achkorea]

I am sponsoring my partner from Seoul, the average processing time began as 7 months, then changed to 8 months, and now it's 9 months. My partner took his medical on April 11th 2011, so I know he has to land in Toronto by then. But, we haven't heard anything from CDN Immigration yet. We have to give notice on our apt., he had to tell his employers he is leaving, and I have to end my visa. Anyway, I'm sure other people have the same circumstances, so I'm wondering what you've done or what people you know have done? If we decided to go and finish waiting there, what kind of visa can we get him? What happens if/when they request his passport? Can he fly to Canada, land, and then come back to Korea to take care of loose ends, and then return to Canada a few weeks after? Is it better for both of us to just stay here and wait it out? The deadline is coming very quickly, and we're kind of at a loss about what to do.

 

[CharlieD10]

Isn't SK visa-exempt? My memory fails me, but I think you should check. If he is, he can wait out the rest of the processing as a visitor.

When they request his PP, he can get his visa (or COPR documents if he really is visa exempt), "land" and then return to SK to tie up loose ends and come back to Canada. Someone will need to receive his PR card and send it to him, that's taking about 48 business days, or else he can apply for a travel document from the Canadian embassy as a returning PR if he is ready to return before the card arrives.

 

[achkorea]

Thank for your comment
Sk is visa exempt, but I'm wondering if he can land and immediately return to Sk for a short time?

 

[pinklady]

Thank for your comment
Sk is visa exempt, but I'm wondering if he can land and immediately return to Sk for a short time?

No, he can only land once he has the COPR document.

 

[rjessome]

If they haven't made a decision by the time his medical expires they will have him do another one if they plan to approve him.

 

[achkorea]

Thanks for your replies, everyone, but I know that he can only land once, and I know about the medical stuff. I am now wondering if he can land, and then fly back to South Korea immediately after landing?

 

[canadianwoman]

Yes. He writes your address in Canada (or a friend's/relative's) on the forms at the border, and they will send the PR card there. Then someone can send it to him in Korea so he can get back in to Canada. Or he can apply for a travel document from the Canadian embassy in South Korea, if he wants to return before he gets the PR card in the mail.

 

[achkorea]

Canadianwoman, you have always provided such excellent information. Thank you so much

 

[canadianwoman]

You're welcome!

 

[achkorea]

Oh, and one follow-up question, if we both go to Canada together before the process is finished, should we get a special visa before we leave South Korea because I am sponsoring him as my common-law partner? If we do, should we get it before we leave South Korea or when he goes through immigration in Canada?

 

[CharlieD10]

No, just bring along proof of the PR application and have it handy at the airport. When you are entering the country, mention he is visiting to wait out his PR processing and show your proof. He should have few issues getting in, he is visa-exempt so there is nothing to apply for until he gets to the point of entry.

 

[achkorea]

Thanks, Charlie. I thought that was the case~much appreciated.
Now, if we receive the request for a passport close to the time he has to land (April 11th), that process seems to take about 3 weeks, how can he send the passport, get the visa, and land all within that time? We thought that by doing the medical early, it would have made the process more timely, it has in all actuality made the process much more difficult. Any thoughts? Thanks again, in advance, for your help.

 

[CharlieD10]

Visa-exempt persons no longer need to submit their PP in order to have a visa inserted, they simply receive their COPR documents. It depends on whether the embassy will allow/require you to submit a prepaid courier envelope for them to send the documents to you in Canada so he can complete the landing process, or if he will have to go and collect them himself once they are ready to be issued.

 

[achkorea]

I'm sorry, but I don't know what PP is/are.

 

[canadianwoman]

PP = passport