Akannitommy:
Hello,

The rule of thumb for your type of situation is patience and strategy. Patience, taking the best action that will favour the whole family in the long run. There is no rush in this Canada journey. Strategy, by planning months and possibly a year or more ahead.

Personally, what I did is to apply for study visa alone and use family (wife and 3 kids) as strong home ties in addition to other normal ties. Then when I arrived Canada and completed one semester, I submitted application for family 11-days ago. My wife SOWP, my older kids (12yrs and 7yrs) study visa and my youngest child (less than 2 years) a visitor visa. I did upfront medical and submitted application on 15th May 2021. The medicals were updated to passed on 19th May 2021 for all - my youngest child didn't require medical exams due to age and visa type. My spouse completed biometric yesterday and the waiting game continues. I hope to also continue learning on here from people who have had similar experiences.

There are no guarantees but with a good strategy you have a better chance. There are students (even in Nigeria) who applied with their family and got approved but the chances are low. You can ask on the study permit thread for direct experiences.

akinajibola:
Hi @akannitommy, please did you need a letter of acceptance for your children's study permit ?
I am also about to process my husband's SOWP and daughter's study visa. I am confused about the letter school letter of acceptance for minors over here in Canada.

Thanks

Lianna2020:
Good afternoon
Please I’m new here.

I’d like to ask if I’m to apply for visiting visa for my spouse n infant or swop first?
Should I apply when I’m in Canada or still in Nigeria



Your prompt response will be highly appreciated

Akannitommy:
I replied your email about my expereince and how I navigated the same problem.

joy2dworld4eva:
Please Is there any thread on Canada spousal application on nairaland?
I've tried checking but couldn't find any.
If there's none, can I ask my questions here please ?

otexx:
Frankly speaking,I will advice to watch YouTube videos.

From my findings it's best you apply for SOWP after the person as enrolled as visiting visa take months to get.

lightswitch007:
Hi everyone,
This month I applied for SOWP. On 24th May 2021, I sent a web form attaching my upfront medical sheet. On 29th May I got an acknowledgment email that my file will be forwarded to the responsible office. I found out my file is located at the Canadian visa office in Nairobi, Kenya.

In my form, I specified applying from the Philippines as I'm a resident here (all my documents are from here only my property document & Nigerian police clearance are from Nigeria) and the approval rate for SOWP here is high within a month or two, my wife's SP got approved within a Month.

I would like to ask if is usual for Nigerian citizens even though living overseas to be processed in Nairobi, Kenya and will it affect my application since the only document from Nigeria is my property assets and police clearance. Gurus Please advise.

Thank you.

Akannitommy:
I am unsure if you can control which visa office would treat your applications. I suspect your country of citizenship (Nigeria) would take precedence over your temporary place of residency (Philipines), when making this determination. You submitted police certificate and asset documents from Nigeria. Hence, I suspect these would need to be accessed by those people/offices familiar with the source of those documents. You are also aplying for SOWP and not study permit like your partner. I know someone - Ghanaian - who applied for study permit in Italy and got approval in under a month as well because he is presently studying in Italy. So the pattern suggests that the visa type, your current status, and types of document required, would determine the Visa Office and duration.

EscapedBlessing:

Go ahead @joy2dworld4eva,

joy2dworld4eva:


Thank you
My questions are :
1) After registry, how long can someone wait before applying for spousal application? For instance, let's say the registry was done in May, when can one commence the spousal application?

2) What fate does the couples have if both parents aren't present at the wedding? However, the friends of the couples will be on ground to take pictures and stand as witnesses.

3) Is doing only registry okay? Do the couples need to hold tradition wedding and maybe a party? Can only the registry certificate and pictures be enough ?

4) For a relationship of 7yrs (one of the couples travelled when the relationship was about 6months) and they've been in communication since then and everyone around them knows that they've been dating for about 7yrs, they have few photos evidence to prove that they've been in a relationship since 2014, what's the fate of the visa application? What's are the chances of the visa being denied?

5) How long does the visa processing take? It's 12months on CiC website. Is the 12months accurate ?

Thank you as i await responses

Anndav:





As soon as you are ready marriage is not judge on a curve when you are married you are married

What is most important is that there are witnesses and it's verifiable by any authority

Registry wedding is one of the types of wedding that is recognize in Nigeria and traditional is another wedding and they are both recognize individually and important as far as the institution of marriage is concerned

Your wedding pictures is enough proof of a relationship ensure they are beautifully taken and represent all the sweet memories you have shared

Visa approval or denial is at the prerogative of the visa officer in charge of ur case but spousal sponsorship or open work permit are mostly successfully if the documentation is properly packaged and you are financially stable to support a family

Processing time varies for different application but for spousal open work permit is presently 33 weeks but we are praying it is reduced today .but I think it's about 12 months for spousal sponsorship and that is like PR straight

Anndav:





As soon as you are ready marriage is not judge on a curve when you are married you are married

What is most important is that there are witnesses and it's verifiable by any authority

Registry wedding is one of the types of wedding that is recognize in Nigeria and traditional is another wedding and they are both recognize individually and important as far as the institution of marriage is concerned

Your wedding pictures is enough proof of a relationship ensure they are beautifully taken and represent all the sweet memories you have shared

Visa approval or denial is at the prerogative of the visa officer in charge of ur case but spousal sponsorship or open work permit are mostly successfully if the documentation is properly packaged and you are financially stable to support a family

Processing time varies for different application but for spousal open work permit is presently 33 weeks but we are praying it is reduced today .but I think it's about 12 months for spousal sponsorship and that is like PR straight

Reseptie:
Hello Everyone,
Anyone having issues with paying for their application on IRCC,i have tried paying with a dollar debit card with sufficient funds and keeps declining.I have spoken to the Gtbank they do not even sound like they know what the issue is.
If you have had this issue before ,how did you solve it ?
Help a sister.
Thank you.

Stonehenge83:
My wife is currently studying in Canada and have been there with our son of 10months now since 13th of last month. I applied for SOWP 29th of last month and have passed medicals and have done biometrics as well. Please does my wife need to write IRCC this letter to hasten the application? Though I did the application myself from Nigeria. Thanks as I await your response.


Yes....a guide on how to write is even on the previous comment on this tread...go way back to about one or two months ago
I think you meet the family unification condition.

Stonehenge83:
Use a domicilary account if you have and get a visa card on the account. That's how I did mine.

Anndav:



It is well does ppl can train someone in the school of patience, but it will end in praise


I saw some guidelines am going to past it below, just try it politely if you have not done dat already,

author=two4 post=99211914]Please if

anyone has written a travel exemption letter that was successful approved, please let us know the supporting documents you included and the format of the letter, this is the second disapproval response I am getting, I haven’t seen my husband for more than a year now!!

Treat as urgent!
COPIED! COPIED!! COPIED!!!



Read. This might help you

Post-March COPR holder
Got Authorization Letter from IRCC. Hence posting what I did to obtain it. You can try it if you have any siblings living in Canada
(Please DO NOT send me personal messages, here I am explaining everything I did to obtain the letter)

I am the primary applicant while my wife is dependent. Her sister lives in Canada. Therefore, she is eligible for travel exemption.

Step 1- Filled up the statutory declaration form from https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/ircc/documents/pdf/english/kits/forms/imm0006e-2020-10-09.pdf
Send it to her sister living in Canada and asked her to complete rest of the part and after that she NOTARIZED it by an appropriate authority in Canada

Step 2- Her sister sent the notarized declaration form to us. We had to submit it with our application of travel exemption.

Step 3- Her sister also sent her Canadian Passport, Driving License (These will ensure your siblings status in Canada)

Step 4- Prepared a quarantine plan.
Accommodation_I wrote I will book through Airbnb. |
Grocery_I wrote I will get it from Amazon and I have amazon prime
Food_ I wrote I will get food delivery from UBER eats.
Transport from Airport_ I wrote I will use UBER
I also mentioned I would get a private health insurance.

Step 5- Emailed to IRCC.COVID-TravelExemptions-Exemptionsdevoyage-COVID.IRCC
subject- Request for Written Authorization to reunite with extended family member

Included our Name, DOB, Passport, UCI number, Application number.

Reason for travel- We wrote, currently we are living in Australia with no relatives here. It is also risky to go back to my home country (Bangladesh) since the COVID cases are high. It has been mentally challenging for us to stay here now and we need support from family members.

Attachments-
1. Quarantine plan
2. Proof of relationship between my wife and her sister (birth certificate)
3. Statutory declaration form

Had to wait for 18 business days after that they approved travel exemption only for my wife with 6months validity. They send me a separate email on same email address mentioning my request for authorization letter rejected.

After 3 days I have send them another email with a subject 'Request for Authorization to Unite Immediate Family member'
Even though my wife didnt go to Canada yet, I explained we want to travel together and I need an AL for it. On the email I did not attach anything.

Got a reply after 12 days from IRCC. They asked me to provide,
1. My passport no, DOB, UCI, application number.
2. Proof of relationship with my wife .
3. Proof of immigration status of my wife
4. Proof of Travel Authorization of my wife.

I have sent another email with following attachments,
1. Passport no, UCI, DOB, Application number
2. Marriage certificate
3. Scanned copy of her VISA
4. Her Travel authorization letter.

After 9 days, my request of Travel Authorization Letter was approved. The Authorization letter will be valid for 3months.
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Anndav:





There so many
Take ur time to do ur finding just start reading from March post

Stonehenge83:
Thanks a lot. But if my wife is already in Canada studying and our 10 months old baby is with her, will I need letter of authorization to travel or hasten my SOWP?

Anndav:



Yes I think ur wife can expedite the process if she writes that she need you for family support system

You know Canada respect the family institution
It might really save you from dis 33weeks wait

Stonehenge83:
This is the link I used.

IRCC.COVID-TravelExemptions-Exemptionsdevoyage-COVID.IRCC

Just copy and paste in your browser it will take you to the page. Read carefully and follow all instructions given. I pray for positive news soonest for all of us.

Stonehenge83:
Thanks so much. I just wrote to them and here's the confirmation mail they sent me. It may be useful to anyone who is applying.

Thank you for contacting Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

We confirm we have received your web form. We will contact you within 14 business days after receiving a complete request. Some cases may fall outside these processing times if they are not complete or require further verification. Please read the information below to make sure your request is complete and to avoid delay.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of this web form? To process requests from those who require written authorization to reunite with a family member in Canada, or who are eligible to travel to Canada under a travel exemption and require priority processing of a visitor visa application in progress. This is not a channel to request more information about the new testing or quarantine measures for travellers. To obtain more details about public health requirements for travellers, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada website.

Does everyone receive a response to their request? No, you will receive a response only if you need a written authorization from IRCC to travel or if you are exempt from a travel restrictions and wish to inform us you have a visitor visa application in process. Any other type of enquiries will not be answered.

How do I know if I need a written authorization from IRCC? Visit the Travel restrictions in Canada webpage to confirm if it is required in your situation. See below the most common situations where a written authorization is not necessary. If you are:
A Canadian Citizen or a Permanent Resident returning to Canada
an immediate family member of a Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident or a person registered under Canada’s Indian Act
an immediate family member of a temporary resident travelling from the United States
If you already have a Public Health Agency of Canada letter for a compassionate travel and already hold valid visitor visa or eTA or do not require one
If you are in one of the above situations, you do not need to wait for a response. Visit our Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) webpage to see the most up-to-date instructions to plan your travel.

How do I make sure I sent a complete request? Consult the chart on the next page below to make sure all the required information was included in your web form.

I just realized I forgot to include some documents, can I send another web form? Yes, but make sure you gather all the required information and supporting documents (initial and new) and send them all in one new web form only. If you send us multiple web forms with different information, your request will be delayed and may be refused.

Once my complete request is sent, should I send another web form to follow-up on my request? No, there is no need to send another request. If you received this automatic response, you can rest assured that we received your web form. We understand your need for making travel arrangements but we are working through the requests as quickly as possible. If you have sent a complete request and need a written authorization, there is no need to worry, we will respond as soon as we reach your request.

Can my family member in Canada send the request on my behalf? If you are a foreign national wishing to come to Canada, you should send your own request and include the email address associated with your IRCC account, if you have one. If a request comes from a different email address we cannot respond unless you provide a Use of a Representative (IMM 5476) form to authorize the person to act on your behalf.

I have a permanent resident application already approved, can I enter Canada? If you are outside Canada, you can’t come to Canada to validate your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and land as a permanent resident right now. You may be able to come only if: your COPR was issued on or before March 18, 2020 or you are exempt from the travel restrictions. Please continue to monitor the Immigration applicants web page for updates.

Information to include in your request based on your situation
If you are a foreign national who is: Description Information to include in your web form Documents to include (upload) in your web form
An immediate family member of a Temporary Resident (temporary worker, student, etc.) traveling from any other country than the United States Immediate family member
Spouse or common-law partner
Dependent children
Dependent children of dependent children
Parents or step-parents
Parents or step-parents of spouse or common-law partner
Guardian or tutor
*Your full name
*Your date of birth
*Your passport number
*Your detailed purpose of visit
*Your travel dates and your expected duration of stay
*The country where you currently live
*Your relationship to the person in Canada
*The status of your family member in Canada (worker, student, etc.)
*A copy of the immigration status document of your family member in Canada (copy of their work permit, student permit, etc.)
*Proof of relationship with your immediate family member in Canada (copy of a marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.)

*Do not include personal photos

An extended family member of a Canadian Citizen, a Permanent Resident or a person registered under Canada’s Indian Act travelling from any country Extended family member
An individual who is 18 years old or older, in an exclusive dating relationship with the person (who is also 18 years of age or older), has been in such a relationship for at least one year and has spent time in the physical presence of the person during the course of the relationship
The dependent child of the person in an exclusive dating relationship
An adult child (non-dependent child) of the person, of their spouse or common-law partner or of the person in the exclusive dating relationship
A grandchild (dependent child of a non-dependent child) of the person, of the person’s spouse, of the person’s common-law partner, or of someone who is in an exclusive dating relationship with the person
A sibling, half-sibling or step-sibling of the person or of the person’s spouse or common-law partner
A grandparent of the person or of the person’s spouse or common-law partner
*Your full name
*Your date of birth
*Your passport number
*Your detailed purpose of visit
*The country you currently live
*Your relationship with your family member in Canada
*The status of your family member in Canada (Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, a person registered under Canada’s Indian Act)
* A copy of a government issued document showing the status of your family member in Canada (e.g. Canadian Passport, Permanent Resident Card, secure certificate of Indian status, certificate of Indian status or temporary confirmation of registration document)
*If the person you’re trying to reunite with in Canada is 18 years of age or older, the Application for authorization and statutory declaration (IMM 0006) (PDF, 2.2 MB) must be used.

*If the person you’re trying to reunite with in Canada is under the age of 18 years, the Application for Authorization and Statutory Declaration for the Parent of a Minor (IMM 0016) (PDF, 1,705 KB) must be used.

- For those trying to reunite with a minor, you must include proof of parentage for the minor, such as their birth certificate.

We hope this information was useful. We appreciate your patience as we make all the necessary efforts to finalize your request as soon as possible. For more information on who can travel to Canada, please visit the Travel restrictions in Canada webpage.

Sincerely,

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada