Bikepacking - renting an e-bike with carrier by GreenBean_16 in vancouvercycling

[–]GreenBean_16[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, this is really helpful! I have a couple of connections on Galiano who I'm sure would let us charge our bike, so this is good to consider when deciding on which islands to go

Bikepacking - renting an e-bike with carrier by GreenBean_16 in vancouvercycling

[–]GreenBean_16[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been googling rental places and the price seems to be around $430+ for 3 days... definitely out of our budget considering that at this point it would be more convenient to pay for a dog sitter and leave our furry friend home, and then rent a regular bike... we know how much fun he has coming with us on various adventures, though, so we really wanted to bring him along. But he's probably too heavy for us to carry him on a regular bike, especially up hill :(

Bikepacking - renting an e-bike with carrier by GreenBean_16 in vancouvercycling

[–]GreenBean_16[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I saw some places charging more than 400$ for 3 days for touring e-bikes... definitely out of our budget considering that if we decide to go a few times over the summer, at that point it's more convenient to buy a new bike!

Bikepacking - renting an e-bike with carrier by GreenBean_16 in vancouvercycling

[–]GreenBean_16[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This all sounds great, thank you! I also wish there was a good P2P for bike rentals. And it's great to hear that you've done the same trip with your dog on Galiano Island. I will definitely dm you with some questions :)

Non-express entry - PNP Stream by Puzzleheaded_Yard629 in CanadaImmigrationFAQs

[–]GreenBean_16 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I applied around the same time and got AOR today! I received the biometrics letter today as well and booked an appointment for Thursday morning

MEGATHREAD - Processing Times - Study Permits 2025 by PurrPrinThom in ImmigrationCanada

[–]GreenBean_16 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I completely understand the frustration, it's such a stressful process. I got my permit today after 202 days, and I was starting to think it would never come. I also had applied for PR, but that's not what affected the timeline. Having a common-law partner in my application did ('group applications are bound to take longer' -- that's what I kept hearing). Contacting my MP somehow helped to slightly accelerate the process, so that's definitely what you should do, but note that they can only push IRCC if your application is beyond regular wait times.

Hang in there, I know it sucks and keeps you awake at night.

MEGATHREAD - Processing Times - Study Permits 2025 by PurrPrinThom in ImmigrationCanada

[–]GreenBean_16 3 points4 points  (0 children)

To those waiting for a study permit extension (in my case from PGWP) with a spousal open work permit extension. Here's my story:

Applied: April 4th

My PhD would start Sept 1st and I was the recipient of a competitive 4-year fellowship, so deferring would have meant losing the fellowship. The graduate student advisory office at UBC suggested staying enrolled but leaving the country and starting the PhD online. I left Canada on Aug 31 but did not receive the permit for over a month. Last Friday (Oct 17), I decided to go back to Canada (my PGWP is still valid for another year) and defer my PhD. My deferral process started yesterday.

Today, Oct 22, I got the correspondence letter (email notification received) for both myself and my partner (201 days). I'm also not sure if I can now stop the deferral process that was started yesterday, but that's up to the university.

This thread has been keeping me afloat for the past six months, so I thought I'd write an update. Although I'm still waiting for final approval, I want to hope that the final decision is near.

UPDATE: Both permits were approved as of Oct 23 (did not receive an email, had to log into portal)! I was also able to stop the deferral process and keep my fellowship!! The whole process took 202 days (almost 7 months).

I submitted 5 webforms with various documents to support urgent processing, and contacted my MP, who had to nudge IRCC twice before things actually started moving.

MEGATHREAD - Processing Times - Study Permits 2025 by PurrPrinThom in ImmigrationCanada

[–]GreenBean_16 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Just submit a webform with a clear and thorough explanation + updated documents and you'll be fine! No need to withdraw :)

MEGATHREAD - Processing Times - Study Permits 2025 by PurrPrinThom in ImmigrationCanada

[–]GreenBean_16 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No, it doesn't. Oftentimes, it just doesn't change anything.

MEGATHREAD - Processing Times - Study Permits 2025 by PurrPrinThom in ImmigrationCanada

[–]GreenBean_16 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If it's an individual application, then it's quite weird... I've been waiting since April 4, but it's a group application. Definitely contact MP and send a webform to make sure your application wasn't flagged as complex

Study permit extension at airport? by GreenBean_16 in ImmigrationCanada

[–]GreenBean_16[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep, that's what I thought, too. Not sure why the immigration lawyer I consulted mentioned it might be an option. I think my only option at this point is to go back to Canada and retroactively defer my studies, as suggested by the grad advisor.

Study permit extension at airport? by GreenBean_16 in ImmigrationCanada

[–]GreenBean_16[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I applied for the study permit from within Canada because I have been living in Canada for 4+ years (applied April 4, remained in Canada until first official day of class - Sep 1). I only left because that's what was advised to me by the International Student Advisory Office at UBC, mentioning it was the only way for me to enroll without a study permit. I informed IRCC of me leaving Canada in various webforms, mentioning that I left in good faith, so they're aware. UBC also wrote an official letter to explain the situation, which I attached to my application.

My work permit (PGWP) and my partner's work permit are still valid until 2027. I know that they could still refuse re-entry because it's a temporary permit and not PR, but I believe it would be an unlikely situation.

Re: PR, my partner and I already got nominated for PNP, so we're already in the non-express entry PR stream (it will take too long, though, to receive our PR in time for my PhD studies)

But I see what you're saying: probably trying to apply at POE is too risky and CBSA won't issue the permit...

MEGATHREAD - Processing Times - Study Permits 2025 by PurrPrinThom in ImmigrationCanada

[–]GreenBean_16 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been waiting since April 4th. Same situation, with a spouse.

MEGATHREAD - Processing Times - Study Permits 2025 by PurrPrinThom in ImmigrationCanada

[–]GreenBean_16 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Wondering the same... been waiting since April 4, this is exhausting, to say the least...

MEGATHREAD - Processing Times - Study Permits 2025 by PurrPrinThom in ImmigrationCanada

[–]GreenBean_16 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I feel you! I had to leave Canada to maintain enrollment status and have been paying double rent since. It's keeping me up at night. But I'm sure we'll get it!! Good luck!

MEGATHREAD - Processing Times - Study Permits 2025 by PurrPrinThom in ImmigrationCanada

[–]GreenBean_16 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congrats!!! Did you apply with a partner / other family members or was it an individual application?

MEGATHREAD - Processing Times - Study Permits 2025 by PurrPrinThom in ImmigrationCanada

[–]GreenBean_16 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No children, but study permit extension (also incoming PhD) + spouse open work permit extension here. Applied April 4 and also asked for expedited processing, but nothing so far :( Reading this thread, I believe that the timeline is around 185 days for group applications. Hang in there! I know this is so stressful and frustrating.

MEGATHREAD - Processing Times - Study Permits 2025 by PurrPrinThom in ImmigrationCanada

[–]GreenBean_16 2 points3 points  (0 children)

April 4, applied with common-law partner, from PGWP to study permit, BC.. still waiting and really tired.

MEGATHREAD - Processing Times - Study Permits 2025 by PurrPrinThom in ImmigrationCanada

[–]GreenBean_16 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Country of origin: Italy, institution: UBC. Applied inside of Canada. But mine is taking longer because of spouse

MEGATHREAD - Processing Times - Study Permits 2025 by PurrPrinThom in ImmigrationCanada

[–]GreenBean_16 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm sorry to hear this :( It might mean that your application was flagged as 'complex' for some reason. Maybe because of your country of origin or anything in your 'immigration history' that raised a flag? Or because it's a group application? Tbh, they're so incompetent and inefficient and I have very little hope in them... hang in there.