Lesson learned

My self kept records of travel are insufficient, and they would like official entry and exit records

The online web for 1-94 does not work for us citizens and you have to do a FOIA

I have no idea how long that will take and have requested express processing.

So if you are the proactive sort perhaps once a year request your prior year's records so you have some when they ask.

I was unaware of this sub when i applied for PR and that journey is outlined in my blog and not here but it was express entry

Situation: Current Canadian PR, US Citizen, Applying for Canadian Citizenship

am i allowed to leave Canada temporarily (3-week vacation to my home country) after creating and submitting my Express Entry profile to the pool? consequently, if i receive an invitation to apply for PR, would i still be permitted to travel outside Canada for a short period and then return?

thank you!

Asking for a friend, she applied her PCC for PR application on April 2026, until now it is still in progress. The assigned police station has mentioned multiple times that it has been completed from their end. However, CGI and BLS are dependent on tracker which says its still processing. What can be done here? whom to reach out? Thank you!

Hi there, it might be a dumb question but I received my portal 2 email today and submitted my declaration, mailing address and photo, but I want to change my mailing address because it's not EXACTLY the same as my other ID or documents.

So i usually write my address as '111-2222 blahblah st' in address line 1 and leave address line 2 blank, but this time i somehow put my address as '2222 blahblah street' in address line 1 and unit number in address line 2 so now it shows as '2222 blahblah street, 111'. I know it'll still work perfectly fine and won't be a problem at all but just the fact that it's not the same with my other ID bothers me a lot. It's a silly reason but i have this weird obsession with certain things which is hard to explain and it's bothering me.

It's already submitted and there's no way that I can edit it on my end so I was wondering if they'd change it for me.

Hi all! We’re moving to Montreal, Quebec this August. My partner is starting at Concordia (international student) and I’ll be joining as an accompanying spouse on a SOWP (Spousal Open Work Permit). Landing Aug 17.

We’re both ineligible for RAMQ, so we need private health insurance from day 1. A few questions:

1. I’ve heard SOWP holders might not be able to purchase an individual Blue Cross plan since it may require RAMQ eligibility. Does anyone have recommendations for other health insurance options for SOWP holders in Quebec, ideally ones that are reliable when it comes to actual payouts and claims?

2. Is it possible to pay monthly instead of committing to a full year upfront?

3. Could home-country insurance (mine covers 90 days abroad) work as interim proof of insurance at entry while I sort out a longer-term policy?

Any tips from people who’ve been through this recently would be hugely appreciated!

Has anyone had to deal with having conditions on your student permit? “NOT AUTHORIZED TO WORK IN CHILDCARE, PRIMARY/SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHING, HEALTH SERVICE FIELD OCCUPATIONS.”
When you applied to change the conditions how long did it take?

Hi,

I had a PR application I submitted in early June, and my Work visa expired in mid June. I was able to apply for spousal open work permit right before my work visa expired, granting me maintained status until I get my PR application result. I got a letter that I am now on maintained status.

But today I received email my PR application was returned. I plan to submit it today after enhancing some documents.

But my question is... do I lose my maintained status & eligibility to work right now? My spousal open work permit applications still says submitted, haven't received email about losing maintained status. But not sure what I should do with my current job, and if I should stop working immediately.

Thanks for the help everyone.

Hey everyone, hoping someone here has been through something similar.

I'm on a closed (employer-specific) work permit under an ICT (Intra-Company Transfer). My company is renewing/extending it, but only for 1 year.

The problem is my spouse needs a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP), and from what I just learned, IRCC requires my work permit to have at least 16 months remaining at the time my spouse applies. Since my extension is only 12 months, my spouse won't meet that requirement.

My job is TEER 0, so the occupation itself should qualify, it's just the 16-month rule that's the issue.

A few questions:

1. Has anyone dealt with this exact situation, extension shorter than 16 months?
2. Is there any way around the 16-month rule, or any exception I might be missing?
3. Besides applying for a Visitor Record for my spouse, is there any other way my spouse could keep working, or any other permit route we should look into?

Any advice, experiences, or things to double check would really help. Thanks in advance!

Hello everyone!

I recently had my restoration of status as a visitor approved, since I managed to restore my immigration status and clean my out of status stain, I would like to go back to my home country, and continue my French studies from the comforts of my home.

My question to fellow learners is, considering my home country’s demanding work culture, do you recommend taking up a job, while simultaneously pursuing French studies. Or dedicate myself fully to French studies and take a gap year, since it’s a new language and need complete dedication and full focus.

For context, I have enough savings and finances to help me sustain without a job for at least a year, however considering the societal pressures and expectations, I can’t help but think otherwise.

Anyone here who has been through a similar situation and can offer guidance, I’ll be glad of it.

Thanks!

Hi everyone. So I am in the US my husband is Canadian and my PR app is processing.

I am a horticulturist and I have a lot of rare houseplants I’ve collected over the years. There’s like no chance I can bring them with me right? Everything I read seems to be from an agricultural standpoint on plants (and they are generally not allowed) but I’m wondering what the deal is with houseplants? I don’t want to let go of my silver pothos ;-;

My wife and me got separated she s not living with me anymore but did not get divorced yet and we have no contact for now should i inform ircc immediately or should i wait until divorce

For my recent previous job, I got transferred to another location while remaining in the same role. Do I need to split that employment history into two entries with different work addresses, or should I just list the new office location where i used to work?

Hello everyone,

I have got my PR under CEC and applied for my citizenship from Ottawa,ON. If I move to Gatineau,QC now ( currently living in ottawa) would it hamper my citizenship process since it would be quebec?

If someone has a passport that is eligible to apply for a Canadian ETA but on the condition that they need a valid non-immigrant US visa (they don’t have a US visa on that passport). Can they apply using their other nationality passport that has the non-immigrant US visa?

So the ETA application will be made using the first nationality passport (that is eligible to apply for said visa) but when asked for the non-immigrant US visa, they will put the US visa number on their other nationality passport.

Idk if that makes sense, if someone could please help.

Hey everyone,
I’m a bit confused and was hoping someone could help.
I graduated with a Business Administration diploma in Ontario and recently moved to Newfoundland because I want to apply for the NL PNP.
Right now, I’m working as a gas station supervisor, but I also have the opportunity to work as a retail store supervisor. I’m not sure which one would be the better choice for PNP.
Has anyone here been approved for NL PNP after graduating outside Newfoundland? Does it matter which supervisor job I choose, or are both considered equally? If you were in my situation, what would you do?

Hi all! My partner (international student, Concordia, Quebec, 5-year program) and I both have approved visas with POE letters — study permit and SOWP. Landing together Aug 17. We’re both ineligible for RAMQ, relying on private insurance. Partner has Blue Cross via the university but the university doesn’t allow adding a dependent, so I need my own policy.

Questions:

1. At the actual port of entry, will the officer ask for proof of health insurance for the SOWP holder, or is that not typically checked for SOWP holders? I understand IEC (International Experience Canada) requires proof of health insurance covering the full duration — is it the same for a SOWP applicant accompanying a student?

2. If I only have a 1-year travel insurance policy, does that affect anything at POE — could it limit how long the permit is issued/activated based on the insurance duration, or would it be issued for the length of my partner’s duration?

Anyone gone through POE recently with a similar setup?

Is there any advantage having a B1 level exam certificate for requesting express entry? Should it be strictly B2 French to have any impacts?

My English is C2.

I recently got my study permit renewed and had it delivered to me. I was unaware that the study permit does not replace the TRV. I had a trip booked to the USA for 2 days and upon realizing I did not have a TRV, i cancelled it. For context I have an indian passport with a valid US visitor visa. I read online that i can still travel to and from the USA even without the TRV as long as my study permit is valid. Is this true?

i applied for a study permit to study accounting at UBC, but after deliberation i decided i may want to study science in UofT instead. (undergrad)

i have already received a Letter of Introduction for UBC.

if i apply for uoft’s study permit now, will my UBC Letter of Introduction be void?

i already have a PAL from both universities.

I’m planning to apply for UofT’s study permit now. If it comes on time, I’ll go to UofT. if it comes late, then i’ll go to UBC.

And if my study permit application for UofT gets approved while I’m in UBC, I’ll just ignore the letter of introduction.

It took 4 weeks for my first study permit to be processed? So if I lodge it for UofT I think I’ll be able to make it on time.

My main worry is that these are two very different fields? So I’m not sure if the officer will not be convinced I have a clear study plan and void my current UBC’s Letter of Introduction.

Like I’ll probably need to explain this properly when I exchange my letter of introduction for a study permit at the border.

ps. i don’t really know what i want to do with my life. i do know i want to get a degree, and i’ve explained very clearly in my study plan why i want to do either programme.

like i can see myself succeeding in either programme, i don’t want to take another gap year, but i do think i’ll be happier at UofT.

So is it worth it for me to even try for UofT at this point? I don’t mind wasting the $150 application fee. I just don’t want to mess up my current letter of introduction from UBC, or mess up my future chances for PGWP.

Hi guys

I have 2 qns, kindly help.

1. I hold 8 yrs of experience. First 2 yrs as a developer and the next 6 yrs as a data analyst. While filling EE, I gave data analyst NOC which is my primary role. And added the other in work ex form. Is this correct or some other process is there?

2. For proof of funds, how to get statement for provident fund from EPFO. Anyone went with PF option?

Thanks

My Gf is an AMI trained Montessori Teacher
With a years experience school in mumbai

Her parents will not financially support her to go to Canada
However, I plan to fund her education and my sister who’s already in Toronto will be able to look after her there

How do I go across with the financial documents and future PR and visa options for her as an early childcare teacher
She’s 24 years old

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping to get some insights while we wait for our immigration lawyer consultation next week. We will follow professional advice, but we wanted to understand our situation better.

My boyfriend submitted his PNP application on May 31, 2026 and declared himself single. At the time, we honestly misunderstood IRCC’s common-law rules. We thought that because we are applying for PR separately and I am not included in his application, we did not need to declare it. We also never updated our CRA marital status.

Our timeline:

•We have lived together since September 2024.
•We have been a couple and living together since then.
•We now understand that under IRCC’s definition, we may have been common-law since September 2025.

After submitting his PNP, he received a full-time job offer in June 2026 from an employer that supports AIP and helps employees with PR. Because of this opportunity, he is considering withdrawing his PNP application and applying through AIP instead.

Our concern is that his PNP application says single, but his AIP application would need to declare common-law.

There was no intention to hide anything — we genuinely misunderstood the rules and only recently learned that common-law must be declared even if both partners are applying separately.

Our questions:

1. Should he update/correct his PNP application before withdrawing it, or can he withdraw and submit AIP with the correct common-law status?
   
2. Can he keep both PNP and AIP applications active temporarily, or should one be withdrawn first?
   
3. Would IRCC consider this misrepresentation if the previous answer was due to misunderstanding the common-law requirement?
   
4. Should he include an explanation letter about the change in status?

We already have a lawyer consultation booked, but we would really appreciate any advice or experiences from anyone who has dealt with something similar. Thank you very much.

Hi All,

I am planning to relocate to Canada under a spousal visa and work permit. Do I need to provide a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) as part of the application process?

I am applying from India and have previously worked in the United States for a few years. Do I need to provide any police clearance documents from the US as well?

Really appreciate any guidance from those who have gone through the process.

Thanks.

Hey everyone,

I (23f) live in Toronto and have 2 years of full-time Canadian work experience. My employer is willing and able to actively support my PR application.
What are the best PR streams available right now for someone in my situation? (I don’t have enough points for CEC)

I also work in Marketing.

Thanks!

I have an education business based in Malaysia that I own with other people. It is an Ai-powered math tutoring company that also teaches coding to kids, with the intent of developing their learning capacities and nurturing their curiosity, not necessarily teaching the coding itself. The company in Malaysia is doing fairly well, with multiple branches across different cities. It has been operating for over 10 years, but I have been a shareholder for only 3 years. I am also the regional manager of 3 of the branches.

I am a citizen of Iran, and hold a work visa in Malaysia tied to my company.

My intent is to open a branch of this business in Canada, either as a startup with some changes to the original company or as a new start-up as I would anyways be making some changes to how the company is operated, along with some new advancements to the services.

I have heard from many people I know that immigration attorneys in Canada are notoriously unethical, and it is easy to get scammed by them.

I wanted to ask you guys what are some of the best immigration attorneys for this specific immigration route? What to look out for when choosing an immigration attorney?

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated from those who have gone to Canada from a similar path.