Canadian Husband living with me in States, wants to sponsor me to move to Canada, but we want to move to Montreal?

[bunhearts]

Hello all!

I'm a bit confused about the immigration process for family spousal sponsorship, specifically when it comes to Quebec. I have a Canadian husband, who lives here with me with his own Green Card in the States. We are currently undergoing the process here to get him his 10 year Green Card. However, we have been wanting to move to Canada, specifically Montreal, in the next few years (2+ years from now so that we can learn French, gather our resources etc.). Even if we don't end up in Montreal and we go to his home city, Toronto, what's the process? Would it be different if we moved to Montreal vs Toronto? I know that Quebec has very specific immigration processes, but I'm not sure how it applies to us. We both live together in the states but we intend to immigrate as soon as we are able to. He's not a resident of Canada at the moment, so how will he sponsor me? What will happen to his Green Card? What's the best way to approach this?

I just need a general guidance for this specific kind of situation, I did the entirety of the US process basically on my own so I know I can handle it, but I'm just not sure where to go!
Thank you!

 

[canuck78]

Hello all!

I'm a bit confused about the immigration process for family spousal sponsorship, specifically when it comes to Quebec. I have a Canadian husband, who lives here with me with his own Green Card in the States. We are currently undergoing the process here to get him his 10 year Green Card. However, we have been wanting to move to Canada, specifically Montreal, in the next few years (2+ years from now so that we can learn French, gather our resources etc.). Even if we don't end up in Montreal and we go to his home city, Toronto, what's the process? Would it be different if we moved to Montreal vs Toronto? I know that Quebec has very specific immigration processes, but I'm not sure how it applies to us. We both live together in the states but we intend to immigrate as soon as we are able to. He's not a resident of Canada at the moment, so how will he sponsor me? What will happen to his Green Card? What's the best way to approach this?

I just need a general guidance for this specific kind of situation, I did the entirety of the US process basically on my own so I know I can handle it, but I'm just not sure where to go!
Thank you!

You’ll need to decide whether you want to move to Quebec or the rest of Canada before you apply. After you enter Canada you could relocate. You’ll be required to show concrete proof of moving back to Canada permanently. There are very strict residency requirements to keep a green card and more lax requirements to keep permanent residency in Canada. If you move back to Canada keeping the green card will likely be impossible. It is possible to apply on your own for spousal sponsorship to Canada as well. Spend some time online reading.

 

[bunhearts]

You’ll need to decide whether you want to move to Quebec or the rest of Canada before you apply. After you enter Canada you could relocate. You’ll be required to show concrete proof of moving back to Canada permanently. There are very strict residency requirements to keep a green card and more lax requirements to keep permanent residency in Canada. If you move back to Canada keeping the green card will likely be impossible. It is possible to apply on your own for spousal sponsorship to Canada as well. Spend some time online reading.

Most likely Quebec would be the area we would reside in. Is it easier/faster to enter Canada as a PR and then move to Quebec? Is the spousal sponsorship process different for Quebec? I'm just confused on the aspect of, since he doesn't live currently in Quebec or in Toronto, how will he sponsor me? And if Quebec's spousal sponsorship process requires him to have lived there or live there currently. He's okay with losing the green card and we would most likely not return to the states. Where can I read more info about spousal immigration for Quebec and Canada as a whole? Thank you for the response.

 

[Ponga]

Most likely Quebec would be the area we would reside in. Is it easier/faster to enter Canada as a PR and then move to Quebec? Is the spousal sponsorship process different for Quebec? I'm just confused on the aspect of, since he doesn't live currently in Quebec or in Toronto, how will he sponsor me? And if Quebec's spousal sponsorship process requires him to have lived there or live there currently. He's okay with losing the green card and we would most likely not return to the states. Where can I read more info about spousal immigration for Quebec and Canada as a whole? Thank you for the response.

Here is one, of many, threads pertaining to the difference with Quebec Spousal Sponsorships:
https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/quebec.115099/

 

[ERCAN]

Do not apply for Québec. It's a door to the world of pain and frustration. Just Google family reunification Québec and read the news. You'll likely endup waiting few years.

In summary they halved the number of admissions for next two years and will enforced it via csq issuance. Even their website says to seek other immigration paths than family sponsorship.
https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration/permanent/sponsor-family-member/sponsoring-spouse-conjugal-partner/submitting-undertaking-application

 

[Solkien]

Definitely do NOT apply to reside in Quebec because of the immigration cap. Apply to reside in any other province and land in that province once you get your PR.

You can genuinely try to get a job and a place to live in that other province. If it ends up not working out for whatever reason or you change your mind, then you can move to Quebec without a CSQ since you’ll be a PR.

That’s what I’d recommend doing.

 

[canuck78]

Most likely Quebec would be the area we would reside in. Is it easier/faster to enter Canada as a PR and then move to Quebec? Is the spousal sponsorship process different for Quebec? I'm just confused on the aspect of, since he doesn't live currently in Quebec or in Toronto, how will he sponsor me? And if Quebec's spousal sponsorship process requires him to have lived there or live there currently. He's okay with losing the green card and we would most likely not return to the states. Where can I read more info about spousal immigration for Quebec and Canada as a whole? Thank you for the response.

Do you speak French? Certain services like access to French courses would require that you immigrate through Quebec. In general if you aren’t bilingual it will also be hard to find employment or access any type of public service which you will be required to access in French unless you were born in Quebec as an Anglophone. For example at any medical appointment you’d need to interact in French.

 

[Solkien]

Do you speak French? Certain services like access to French courses would require that you immigrate through Quebec. In general if you aren’t bilingual it will also be hard to find employment or access any type of public service which you will be required to access in French unless you were born in Quebec as an Anglophone. For example at any medical appointment you’d need to interact in French.

True for the most part. If you have a remote job or work for a foreign company then perhaps you could survive with basic French, but I’d recommend learning it either way.

The last part is incorrect, I’m a Quebec resident and I can easily gain access to medical appointments in English. (Unless the clinic refuses to speak English with patients, which is extremely rare.)

 

[canuck78]

True for the most part. If you have a remote job or work for a foreign company then perhaps you could survive with basic French, but I’d recommend learning it either way.

The last part is incorrect, I’m a Quebec resident and I can easily gain access to medical appointments in English. (Unless the clinic refuses to speak English with patients, which is extremely rare.)

If you go to the hospital you are required to speak French unless you meet the exemption, call any government office you will be spoken to in French unless you meet the exemption, etc. People do get away with English but Quebec government is trying very hard to make French the primary language used especially for newcomers and in Montreal. I don’t see this changing anytime soon and policies are getting more strict. Not discouraging people from moving to Quebec but be prepared to learn French which is a good idea even if you do meet the exemptions.