Application advice needed and greatly appreciated

[cpeters8604]

I am a Canadian citizen and my partner is an American citizen we are a same-sex couple. She is coming to Canada in September and we will be getting married. There after we will be starting the application process for me to sponsor her as my spouse. I would just like some advice and or guidance that will help make this process smooth. I have read and read and researched and read a lot of information online. I would like to know how soon we can start the application process. She will only be in Canada for 3 weeks so we will be doing an Outland Application as she will be returning to USA to prepare for the move. We will also want to do the outland application because of the shorter processing times.

I would be ever so grateful if you have any advice or guidance for my particular situation

 

[Hnhkrk]

I would start the application process now.

Start gathering your relationship proof and have her get her fingerprints for her FBI clearance (get multiple finger prints done so that there is NO confusion!) I would also start calling doctors in your area to see how much the medical costs. Typically, the medicals cost less to do in Canada than in the US.

I too applied outland, but I stayed in Canada with my husband during the process. After my 6 month stay were over, I applied for a visitor's visa extension and got one. The process took 7 months for me, but that was before the strike.

My one piece of advice for you and don't stress out. Since your wife is from the US, the chance that you two will be approved is very high. Ignore all of the negative talkers on here. Start working on things now so that they're in order, and then star organizing your application. Don't to what I did, because I waiting until the LAST DAY before my FBI clearance expired to send in my application... that was stupid.

Follow the checklists and don't hesitate to ask me or anyone else on the forum any questions.

Here are links that really helped me:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/3999Etoc.asp
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5610E.PDF

Good luck!

 

[Sweden]

I am a Canadian citizen and my partner is an American citizen we are a same-sex couple. She is coming to Canada in September and we will be getting married. There after we will be starting the application process for me to sponsor her as my spouse. I would just like some advice and or guidance that will help make this process smooth. I have read and read and researched and read a lot of information online. I would like to know how soon we can start the application process. She will only be in Canada for 3 weeks so we will be doing an Outland Application as she will be returning to USA to prepare for the move. We will also want to do the outland application because of the shorter processing times.

I would be ever so grateful if you have any advice or guidance for my particular situation

the previous advice is good - but only if you qualify. If you've lived 12 months together, then you qualify as Common Law. If you are married, then no worries. If you haven't lived together for 12 months ( and are able to prove it), or married, then you need one of these two before anything else.

Good luck,
Sweden

 

[cpeters8604]

Thank you both ever so much for the information!

I have another concern that I've researched and cant really find an accurate direct response. As far as the medical clearance goes, does the physician have to be in America, or can she visit a panel physician in Canada? The state she resides in now does not have a panel physician.

 

[cpeters8604]

figures! moments after i post that last question i stumbled up on the answer here's the copy/paste from the cic website...

7. Can my dependents undergo the medical examination in another country?
The medical examination is given around the world by designated medical practitioners (DMP). Regardless of the Canadian Immigration Visa Office to which the application is submitted, the services of a designated medical practitioner in any part of the world may be used

 

[Alurra71]

Thank you both ever so much for the information!

I have another concern that I've researched and cant really find an accurate direct response. As far as the medical clearance goes, does the physician have to be in America, or can she visit a panel physician in Canada? The state she resides in now does not have a panel physician.

She can visit a panel physician anywhere she wants. America, Canada heck could even fly off to England if she wanted!

So long as she has her physical done it doesn't matter where, only that the doc is on the CIC's list of physicians.

One thing though. Don't do her medical until you are just ready to send the application because it is only good for 12 months. Make sure to get her FBI/State prints done and sent with responses. Then get medical and send it all in. However, also remember that the FBI clearances are only good for the first 3 months of issuance. So long as CIC receives them BEFORE that 3 months is up, it's all good. I only tell you to do the prints first, because her FBI clearances will take no less than 6 weeks from the time they get them until she gets a response back. Long wait and you don't want 6 weeks of your 12 month physical passing by collecting dust.

 

[Hnhkrk]

She can visit a panel physician anywhere she wants. America, Canada heck could even fly off to England if she wanted!

So long as she has her physical done it doesn't matter where, only that the doc is on the CIC's list of physicians.

One thing though. Don't do her medical until you are just ready to send the application because it is only good for 12 months. Make sure to get her FBI/State prints done and sent with responses. Then get medical and send it all in. However, also remember that the FBI clearances are only good for the first 3 months of issuance. So long as CIC receives them BEFORE that 3 months is up, it's all good. I only tell you to do the prints first, because her FBI clearances will take no less than 6 weeks from the time they get them until she gets a response back. Long wait and you don't want 6 weeks of your 12 month physical passing by collecting dust.

When I was in the US the DMs there charged around $500 for the checkup, so I opted to get my medical done here in Canada, it was MUCH cheaper!

And I agree with Alurra. You should wait until you get the FBI prints back to do the medical since it's only good for 12 months. However, if your girlfriend/fiancee has no criminal history, you should get the FBI check back really fast. Mine took about 2 months. I send in 5 copies of my finger prints because I wanted to make sure that I didn't have to send anymore!

 

[cpeters8604]

Thanks again for your information, my fiance has contact a channeler in her area and is awaiting her appointment to have the police clearance initiated!

I have searched the forum a bit for similar inquiries but found no answer so i have one more question!

My fiance will be changing her last name to mine. When she fills out the application should she have the name change process complete and supporting documents? (license, passport, etc.) How long does the name change process take?

Sorry im such a newbie when it comes to all this!

 

[keesio]

Thanks again for your information, my fiance has contact a channeler in her area and is awaiting her appointment to have the police clearance initiated!

I have searched the forum a bit for similar inquiries but found no answer so i have one more question!

My fiance will be changing her last name to mine. When she fills out the application should she have the name change process complete and supporting documents? (license, passport, etc.) How long does the name change process take?

Sorry im such a newbie when it comes to all this!

regarding the channeler, make sure they are used just to take an ink fingerprint which your fiance will then snail mail to the FBI. Having the channeler take electronic fingerprints and forward to the FBI is not accepted by CIC as far as i know

Regarding name: Best case is to have her passport updated to her new name and then using that name for everything. The name on the passport is the key name. I think it takes a month to update a US passport but you can pay extra for expedited service (maybe 2 weeks or less).

 

[CdnandTrini]

Thanks again for your information, my fiance has contact a channeler in her area and is awaiting her appointment to have the police clearance initiated!

I have searched the forum a bit for similar inquiries but found no answer so i have one more question!

My fiance will be changing her last name to mine. When she fills out the application should she have the name change process complete and supporting documents? (license, passport, etc.) How long does the name change process take?

Sorry im such a newbie when it comes to all this!

Hello cpeters8604 and welcome to the forum. Do not be sorry for your questions or being a newbie, we have all been there and are all still learning .

With regard to the name change, because your fiancée is American, she will have to wait until after the wedding for the marriage certificate (in order to change her documents at home in the US) and if you are getting married in Ontario the delivery of the marriage certificate (I think you need what they call the "long form") could possibly take up to 8 weeks. Do confirm this info. online though in your specific province or territory as they can expedite it in certain circumstances and generally for more money!!.

I suggest that when you order the marriage certificate you get 3 originals - one for you, one for her (especially for travelling) and one to send to immigration (I believe they want an original, but if I am wrong, other members will correct me).

This way you can still send your entire package in ASAP as it is much less work and confusion for the application process to do it this way. After the fact, once your app is in the queue, then your wife can change her license and other documents, but I do not recommend changing the passport until after the PR process is complete until/unless it is going to expire soon. Also your fiancée needs to check at her end in her state, how long it will take for her documents to be changed. You do not want to be in a position where you have to hold off on submitting your sponsorship application if there are delays at her end in sorting out all of those additional changes.

If while your app is being processed and they ask for more info. to show the ongoing nature of the marriage, then you can send in copies of new I.D. joint bank accounts, updated beneficiary info. etc.

I also think you can submit what is called the registration of the marriage document in the application package while you are waiting for the marriage certificate. Again please contact the registrar's office in your province/territory to confirm.

Lastly it would make sense if you and your fiancée can complete all of the documents for both the sponsor and applicant together before she returns to the US as she has to sign off on the pages of the "applicant's" paperwork.
You can make corrections to your own paperwork when she returns home but if you miss a signature on her paperwork then you have more delays while correcting and mailing/couriering document originals back and forth.

Hope this helps to guide a bit in the next steps. Blessings.

 

[cpeters8604]

Ok just so that im understanding everything... I can submit a copy of marriage license as part of the application while she is carrying out legal name change documents on her end? How about the medical and police clearances? I know the police clearance can take awhile to be completed but can it be sent along after the application is sent to be added to it later or does everything have to be sent together? I would assume as long as the marriage certificate is sent it will explain why some documents are in her maiden name as the marriage certificate should reflect this

 

[keesio]

Ok just so that im understanding everything... I can submit a copy of marriage license as part of the application while she is carrying out legal name change documents on her end? How about the medical and police clearances? I know the police clearance can take awhile to be completed but can it be sent along after the application is sent to be added to it later or does everything have to be sent together? I would assume as long as the marriage certificate is sent it will explain why some documents are in her maiden name as the marriage certificate should reflect this

It is best to send everything together as one package. That is your best chance at speedy processing of your application.

The CIC should be able to figure out the whole name change thing. Honestly, it has to be the #1 "complication" they handle for spousal sponsorship! I called the call centre and they said that it is common and they can figure it out. But others claim it can cause some confusion. My wife took a chance and sent in the application under her maiden name (matched her passport) and while updating her documents afterwards. When they asked for a copy of her passport again, we sent in the new one and explained why the last name is different. I want to say that it didn't make a lick of difference but my process is not done yet so I can't say for sure.

 

[CdnandTrini]

Ok just so that im understanding everything... I can submit a copy of marriage license as part of the application while she is carrying out legal name change documents on her end?

YES.
How about the medical and police clearances? I know the police clearance can take awhile to be completed but can it be sent along after the application is sent?

YES

It can also be added to it later (YES) or does everything have to be sent together? - NO but that is ideal

I would assume as long as the marriage certificate is sent it will explain why some documents are in her maiden name as the marriage certificate should reflect this. YES

keesio's advice is probably more relevant especially if you are also going through the CPP Ottawa office. For those of us going through different visa offices (mine is Port of Spain in Trinidad) there can be different challenges and common experiences more related to the members going through the same VO.

I totally agree that it is ideal if everything can be sent together (and pay all of the fees upfront if you can); however, you can also send some items as follow up after you submit the application, pending how delayed the changes to your fiancée's ID will affect the submission of the sponsorship application. Once you have a bit more info. on that as well as how long it may take for the marriage certificate you will be able to make a decision that works best for your individual situation. Keep asking if this is not getting more clear.....it can be especially daunting at the beginning while one is in the "information overload" stage. Blessings.

 

[DaveSav]

Ok just so that im understanding everything... I can submit a copy of marriage license as part of the application while she is carrying out legal name change documents on her end? How about the medical and police clearances? I know the police clearance can take awhile to be completed but can it be sent along after the application is sent to be added to it later or does everything have to be sent together? I would assume as long as the marriage certificate is sent it will explain why some documents are in her maiden name as the marriage certificate should reflect this

Since our police certificates were going to take such a long time we decided to send them in after. Since the clearances are one of the last things they go through this will be unlikely to delay your application, or of least unlikely to delay it longer than waiting for the clearance to submit anyway.

We just sent the police clearance in with the PPR request so i doubt it will have caused any delay for us.

 

[cpeters8604]

hello!

Ok yes yes and yes! this is making a little more sense to me thanks to you all.
My situation is this... September 18th we are getting married, we will fill out all the paperwork and provide all possible documentations at this time. Once the marriage certificate is received i will courier all we have. We are choosing the Outland application as this will allow her to go back to USA and finish up all her affairs there. Once her police clearance is available we can also courier that information in. My fiance does not have any criminal record so I do not see why it would take too long to complete.

Our wedding is going to be a very small and intimate ceremony, less than 10 people will be there. This being because most of our support comes from her side of the family. my friends and parents will be there but we will be doing many photos and although there will only be 10 people I am going to wear my wedding dress and go dancing after and everything. I am really very excited!!

Being that this is such a small wedding will that affect the application? I would assume it wouldn't as we will be taking a lot of pictures and we are making a big deal of it despite the fact it will be such a small group.

Thank you all for helping me through this!