2 simultaneous applications??

[Triscut]

Hey guys,
My husband (US citizen) and I (Canadian) would like PR in both countries, can we do both applications at once, as we aren't sure where we are going to live?
Any advice??
Thanks.

 

[Sheps]

I don't think it is possible. One of the requirements of applying for Canadian PR is that you intend on living in Canada after obtaining PR.

I think you should find out where you want to live first, and then work on the PR application after. Since your husband is US, depending on the sector he works in, he may be able to get a Work Permit while waiting for PR through NAFTA.

 

[tink23]

Depending on what the residency obligations are for the US, it might be difficult to meet them both. Also, not sure about the US, but for Canada, if you're not currently living in Canada as the sponsor, u have to show proof that u plan to reside in Canada once PR is granted to your spouse. If you're not sure where you're going to live, then it will be hard to prove that u plan to reside in Canada after your spouse gets PR.

Other than that, actually puting in boh applications at the same time shouldn't be a problem. But make sure you check out the residency obligations as a PR for both countries.

 

[Mapleson]

This is not impossible, but why would you put yourself through this? The US requirement is 3 years continuous residency (no more than 6 months at a time out of the US) and 18 months out of 36 physically in the US. Canada requires 3 years out of 5 in Canada, so you could live in the US for 3 years, while spending 4 or 5 months in Canada every year, then move to Canada for all of years 4 and 5. Much easier is to do the one and then do the other with a difference of 3 more years, but 6 less moves.

Make up your mind about where you want to live before applying for PR status in a country you aren't sure about.

 

[tink23]

This is not impossible, but why would you put yourself through this? The US requirement is 3 years continuous residency (no more than 6 months at a time out of the US) and 18 months out of 36 physically in the US. Canada requires 3 years out of 5 in Canada, so you could live in the US for 3 years, while spending 4 or 5 months in Canada every year, then move to Canada for all of years 4 and 5. Much easier is to do the one and then do the other with a difference of 3 more years, but 6 less moves.

Make up your mind about where you want to live before applying for PR status in a country you aren't sure about.

Canada requires 2 years out of 5 in Canada.

 

[Mapleson]

Canada requires 2 years out of 5 in Canada.

Right you are. I got the two parts backwards in my head. Thus, the OP could live in the US for 3 years and then move back to Canada for years 4 and 5. However, this raise the question of why start both now and not wait for a couple years.

 

[Sheps]

I was unaware of the US 3 years continuous requirement, that is good to know... I am an American and Canadian (my wife is Japanese) and if we ever decide to move to the US that will definitely be helpful.

That said, with the 3 year continuous requirement, I still agree with everyone else. You should decide where you want to live and only apply for PR there. I am not sure, but your husband may be able to hold US and Canadian Citizenship (might want to look into it) by naturalizing in Canada and not renouncing his US citizenship.

There are a lot of things to consider. Good luck!

 

[Rob_TO]

It's very easy to keep Canadian PR when you are married to a Canadian citizen. As long as you live with your Canadian citizen sponsor, you can live outside Canada as long as you want and you will never lose your PR status.

 

[Sheps]

The other thing to consider would be, if you apply for a green card in the us, but stay in canada, you might have to file us taxes.

 

[Triscut]

Thanks guys!
We were just hoping that would keep options open, but it doesn't look that way at all. we will carry on with an application to get him PR here.

 

[Mapleson]

Canada requires 2 years out of 5 in Canada.

I found out where my 3 years came from. 2 years out of 5 is to maintain PR status. 3 years out of 5 is if you want to move from PR status to citizen.

 

[tink23]

I found out where my 3 years came from. 2 years out of 5 is to maintain PR status. 3 years out of 5 is if you want to move from PR status to citizen.

It has either just changed or will be changing to 4 years out of 6 in Canada as PR to apply for citizenship. Hopefully it doesn't get much longer than that!