Outland or Inland? My situation

[Bspar]

My wife (Japanese) and family (two children, Japanese born Canadian citizens) are planning to move to Canada in the middle of July. I had been planning all along to apply for outland sponsorship for my wife, the thinking being that if we filed early enough, by the time we got to Canada there would only be a few months to go before approval and she would be free to leave the country any time she wanted. Well things have progressed and we're only about 3 months away (less!) from that mid-July move date. Another forum member suggested to me that if the time is that short I should just file inland instead and that way my wife could apply for a work permit. Well, I hadn't thought of that at all to be honest.

Are there any thoughts about which way to go? It seems that inland and outland are both supposed to be processed within 12 months now. I'm a little concerned about what would happen if my wife's parents suddenly became ill or died before the PR status is approved. What do you tell immigration upon landing in Canada? I had thought for outland that you could show them the proof of application and claim dual intent. Would they let her into Canada if she told them she was planning on filing an inland PR while in Canada as a tourist? Is a tourist visa even the same as a visitor visa? I have most of the documents already to go and I could send the application away sometime next week. My big worry was that by the time they get back to us it would be too late to do the police check and medical check before moving to Canada.

 

[Rob_TO]

My wife (Japanese) and family (two children, Japanese born Canadian citizens) are planning to move to Canada in the middle of July. I had been planning all along to apply for outland sponsorship for my wife, the thinking being that if we filed early enough, by the time we got to Canada there would only be a few months to go before approval and she would be free to leave the country any time she wanted. Well things have progressed and we're only about 3 months away (less!) from that mid-July move date. Another forum member suggested to me that if the time is that short I should just file inland instead and that way my wife could apply for a work permit. Well, I hadn't thought of that at all to be honest.

Are there any thoughts about which way to go? It seems that inland and outland are both supposed to be processed within 12 months now. I'm a little concerned about what would happen if my wife's parents suddenly became ill or died before the PR status is approved. What do you tell immigration upon landing in Canada? I had thought for outland that you could show them the proof of application and claim dual intent. Would they let her into Canada if she told them she was planning on filing an inland PR while in Canada as a tourist? Is a tourist visa even the same as a visitor visa? I have most of the documents already to go and I could send the application away sometime next week. My big worry was that by the time they get back to us it would be too late to do the police check and medical check before moving to Canada.

Japanese citizens are visa-exempt to Canada, so there is no "visa" to get. Upon entry she would get visitor status for a certain amount of time. Status can be extended in Canada as needed.

I would only do inland if it's absolutely essential she get the OWP. Recall it takes around 4 months to receive the OWP after submitting an INLAND app. If you applied immediately while still in Japan with an OUTLAND app (processed through Manila), she may very well have full PR status approved in the next 7-8 months.

It's no problem about medical exams. If it's requested while she's already in Canada as a visitor, then she would simply get the medical done in Canada. Where the medical is done is irrelevant, as long as it's from one of the panel physicians on the website.

And get the police checks done also before leaving Japan.

 

[Bspar]

Thanks for the advice Rob. OWP is not essential and maybe not even necessary as we have a 7 month old daughter and the cost of daycare in Toronto would probably negate any potential earnings she would earn. My main concern was not being able to complete the health check and police check on time but if they can still be done while in Canada (although I hear the police check is not as straightforward) then it's not quite as catastrophic of a situation as I was concerned about. If I can get these documents off by next week then surely (knock on wood) I would be able to receive an AOR within a month or month and a half.

 

[Rob_TO]

Thanks for the advice Rob. OWP is not essential and maybe not even necessary as we have a 7 month old daughter and the cost of daycare in Toronto would probably negate any potential earnings she would earn. My main concern was not being able to complete the health check and police check on time but if they can still be done while in Canada (although I hear the police check is not as straightforward) then it's not quite as catastrophic of a situation as I was concerned about. If I can get these documents off by next week then surely (knock on wood) I would be able to receive an AOR within a month or month and a half.

Yes if no OWP is actually needed, then definitely go OUTLAND. There is no need to even wait for AOR, just show CBSA upon entry any proof of the PR app in process (courier confirming submitted, fee receipt, etc), mention she wants to wait out the process in Canada but will comply with visitor rules, and that should be good enough to allow easy entry into Canada on visitor status.

Not sure about all the changes made with new process, but can you submit police checks with the app? If not, then if still waiting just make sure to get them from Japan before you leave to Canada. It may be a bother to arrange getting Japan police checks if you're in Canada when requesting it.

 

[CDNPR2014]

Not sure about all the changes made with new process, but can you submit police checks with the app?

no, the police records are no longer accepted upfront. IRCC will send a request after sponsor approval. I don't believe it's an issue to get the report generated before the request, so it may be worth it for the OP to arrange that before leaving Japan.

 

[Bspar]

The police in Tokyo may require an official request (well, that's what their website says) but maybe if we call and explain they'll let us do it. Then again, this is Japan and they're huge sticklers for following protocol.