Taking Time Off

[bsd058 296]

Let me explain my situation before anyone tries to tell me that quitting before the interview is not recommended because it might take a lot of time to actually get the visa in hand. I understand this already and am prepared to get another job to where I am going.

I will probably have enough money saved up for about 7 months (being conservative) from the middle of May (which would bring me to the end of December), but if the visa process takes any longer than a week after I get to Ontario, I will probably look for employment so I don't drain my finances.

Here is what I plan on doing.

I'm going to visit my wife for one month starting in the middle of May. I have a return ticket to London, Ontario for one month after the beginning of my trip so that I can visit my father until my visa journey is completely over. In order to do this, I must quit my job (which isn't that uncommon in my industry since if you're moving shortly, they automatically try to get you to train a replacement which they are doing right now). I haven't seen my family (my sisters and father) in over 3 years and plan on staying near them all and visiting until everything goes through. Plus I need to complete a couple of courses within that time for a specific designation I'm working toward in my field.

So, here is my question. Is quitting you job just "not recommended" because you can't be sure how long the visa process will take after the interview? Or do things like that make the consulate wary about giving a visa? I have some good reasons for doing it. I need to be around my family and I have no one out west here. So what do you think? Aside from the fact that no one could know when your visa will be approved and received, does the consulate prohibit a person from quitting their current job even for the reasons mentioned?

Edited April 2, 2013 by bsd058

[Inky 1,111]

Let me explain my situation before anyone tries to tell me that quitting before the interview is not recommended because it might take a lot of time to actually get the visa in hand. I understand this already and am prepared to get another job to where I am going.

I will probably have enough money saved up for about 7 months (being conservative) from the middle of May (which would bring me to the end of December), but if the visa process takes any longer than a week after I get to Ontario, I will probably look for employment so I don't drain my finances.

Here is what I plan on doing.

I'm going to visit my wife for one month starting in the middle of May. I have a return ticket to London, Ontario for one month after the beginning of my trip so that I can visit my father until my visa journey is completely over. In order to do this, I must quit my job (which isn't that uncommon in my industry since if you're moving shortly, they automatically try to get you to train a replacement which they are doing right now). I haven't seen my family (my sisters and father) in over 3 years and plan on staying near them all and visiting until everything goes through. Plus I need to complete a couple of courses within that time for a specific designation I'm working toward in my field.

So, here is my question. Is quitting you job just "not recommended" because you can't be sure how long the visa process will take after the interview? Or do things like that make the consulate wary about giving a visa? I have some good reasons for doing it. I need to be around my family and I have no one out west here. So what do you think? Aside from the fact that no one could know when your visa will be approved and received, does the consulate prohibit a person from quitting their current job even for the reasons mentioned?

If your the intending immigrant it doesn't matter if you quit your job early. Montreal doesn't even care.

[NinaD 6]

They don't prohibit you from quitting a job. I didn't work for almost two years before my interview. I was lucky enough that my husband would support me. At my interview they asked me what I did for a living. I told them honestly that I was not working at the moment, but that I planned to go back into the field of tourism when I got my visa to enter the States. He put Housewife/househusband on the form. As long as you can show that you have either the intention of working again, or that your spouse can support you, you should be fine.

[NikLR 13,227]

I think they mainly say not to quit etc, because you never know how long it will take to get your visa back or even that you'll be approved. Not because it negatively effects your interview.

[bsd058 296]

Okay. Thanks everyone. Just wanted to make sure that my plan is, in fact, viable.

Makes sense that they would recommend it and not prohibit it.

Again, thanks!

[NikLR 13,227]

I plan on giving my 2 weeks before the interview and cancelling my stuff so I can move by that month's end. Gonna sell my car too! Hopefully I don't violate some karma ju-ju.

[NinaD 6]

Yeah, they tell you not to give up work, property, etc... because they can't guarentee that you will be approved for the visa. If you got denied then you are suddenly without a job and car, etc... and you now have no income (unless your spouse sends you money)! So they don't recommend giving any of that "stability and consistancy" in your life until you have the visa approved. That being said, lots of people quit their jobs and sell all their stuff without being an intending immigrant to anywhere. LOL. Just keep in the back of your head that you may need a back-up plan if something goes wrong with the visa approval. I doubt you'll have any issues though, Canada isn't a high fraud country, and although some people are denied their visas, I think most people have no troubles. Good luck.

[hikergirl 277]

Since you are at the NVC stage, I would suggest that you mention “family re-unification” in your resignation letter and make sure that they put that on the ROE.

Good luck!

[NikLR 13,227]

Yeah, they tell you not to give up work, property, etc... because they can't guarentee that you will be approved for the visa. If you got denied then you are suddenly without a job and car, etc... and you now have no income (unless your spouse sends you money)! So they don't recommend giving any of that "stability and consistancy" in your life until you have the visa approved. That being said, lots of people quit their jobs and sell all their stuff without being an intending immigrant to anywhere. LOL. Just keep in the back of your head that you may need a back-up plan if something goes wrong with the visa approval. I doubt you'll have any issues though, Canada isn't a high fraud country, and although some people are denied their visas, I think most people have no troubles. Good luck.

I will move to BC if this falls through. I'm not staying in this province any longer than I have to!

[Flames9_RN 358]

One reason (may not matter to you) is if you Quit too far in advance of moving--you will NOT be eligible for Cdn EI When you move!

If you were born in another country (or probably spent a lot of time there) that is not exactly on good terms with the USA--One can expect a fairly long wait AFTER the interview before you get the visa---as they do more back ground checks!

[bsd058 296]

One reason (may not matter to you) is if you Quit too far in advance of moving--you will NOT be eligible for Cdn EI When you move!

If you were born in another country (or probably spent a lot of time there) that is not exactly on good terms with the USA--One can expect a fairly long wait AFTER the interview before you get the visa---as they do more back ground checks!

Born and raised in Canada and not planning on going anywhere else besides the US and Canada.

Good to know about the EI. Would have never even thought of that.

Edited April 2, 2013 by bsd058

[charity1214 3]

Not to scare you but my husband quit his job right before the interview, and then we got denied. He has not been able to get a job since (over a year). Granted, financially he doesn't "NEED" to work although the extra money during our 601 process would've been nice, it was very frustrating on my end to have a spouse not working and having to wait another year before this process was done. We anticipate him getting to move down in the next month, but looking back I learned never to make any permanent choices until the visa is IN OUR HANDS. I'ts a personal choice though... just know that sometimes things just don't work out in the timing we expect. Good luck!

[bsd058 296]

Not to scare you but my husband quit his job right before the interview, and then we got denied. He has not been able to get a job since (over a year). Granted, financially he doesn't "NEED" to work although the extra money during our 601 process would've been nice, it was very frustrating on my end to have a spouse not working and having to wait another year before this process was done. We anticipate him getting to move down in the next month, but looking back I learned never to make any permanent choices until the visa is IN OUR HANDS. I'ts a personal choice though... just know that sometimes things just don't work out in the timing we expect. Good luck!

Thanks. What was the reason for denial, if you don't mind me asking?

I don't think I'll be denied. They would have to come up with some pretty crazy conspiracy theories about me to do so. We were married and living in Canada for 3 years before we decided to move. But if it could happen to you without reason, then maybe it could happen to me. My record is clean and I've never done anything illegal, nor have I ever been implicated.

Edited April 3, 2013 by bsd058

[bsd058 296]

Nevermind. I just saw the reason in your signature. I don't think I'll have the same issues. But who knows? I'll get a job in Ontario if I get denied. I can't stand staying out west, though.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Thanks. What was the reason for denial, if you don't mind me asking?

I don't think I'll be denied. They would have to come up with some pretty crazy conspiracy theories about me to do so. We were married and living in Canada for 3 years before we decided to move. But if it could happen to you without reason, then maybe it could happen to me. My record is clean and I've never done anything illegal, nor have I ever been implicated.

Well when you never expect it--that guy names Murphy pops his head (murphys law) Your name could match some one else name, etc etc! Of course if ur a plain old boring Canadian, very good chance it will be smooth sailing, but you just never know!!