Best approach for Canadian and spouse living/working abroad?

[singviet]

Hi all, first time poster here

I (Canadian citizen) met my wife in Vietnam, and we both live and work in Singapore and were married here. We want to settle down in Canada, and were hoping to make the move in early-mid 2016. I have family to stay with and we have plenty of savings, but after going through the applications it says processing times for spouses abroad is up to 27 MONTHS in Singapore...!

Is this for real? Would it make more sense for us to just go to Canada to 'visit' with her on a tourist visa, and then apply from there? Or what is the best approach? We really don't want to wait over 2 years to start our lives together. Appreciate any suggestions...

 

[Lammawitch]

Inland applications also appear to be running at up to 27 months...

If I were you (my personal opinion), I'd apply now in Singapore, & when the time comes to your move, apply for a visitor visa for your wife.

*If* the visitor visa is granted, you and your wife could then go to Canada while the spousal application continues processing. Your wife would then apply to extend her visitor visa in Canada, if necessary.

 

[singviet]

If I were you (my personal opinion), I'd apply now in Singapore, & when the time comes to your move, apply for a visitor visa for your wife.

Thanks so much for your reply Lammawitch. As somebody just diving into all this, it's really a lot to digest. Your suggestion really sounds like our best option. I'm guessing there's no reason a Visitor Visa should be denied just because a PR application is pending?

 

[mikeymyke]

Look at my timeline and signature for my Vietnamese wife, nowhere near 27 mths. Best to apply outland then apply for visitor visa for her and wait out the process like my wife did