Canadian living in the US. Can I sponsor my American wife?

[hma123]

I was born in Canada but have lived in the US for most of my life.

Does anyone know if it's possible to apply for Canadian citizenship for my American wife?

We don't have immediate plans to move to Canada, but would like the option since I have family there.

Thanks!
Han

 

[scylla]

No - your wife does not qualify for Canadian citizenship.

First you would have to sponsor her to become a permanent resident of Canada (PR). To qualify to sponsor her for PR status, you will have to provide proof in the application that you plan to return to Canada and make Canada your home once her PR status has been approved.

Once your wife becomes a PR, then she can apply for citizenship once she has physically lived in Canada for three years out of the last four years at the time of application.

If you don't have any immediate plans to move to Canada then it probably makes sense to hold off on the PR application until this changes.

Hope this helps.

 

[hma123]

Thank you, that does help.

 

[Leon]

Scylla is absolutely right.

You would have to show concrete plans to move to Canada if you want to sponsor your wife for permanent residency.

If she gets it, there is actually nobody checking if you move to Canada or not. The residency requirements to keep her PR are normally living in Canada 2 out of every 5 years but being married to and living with a citizen, even that does not apply so she could technically keep her PR forever, even if she does not move to Canada.

However, in order to qualify for citizenship, she would have to live in Canada for at least 1095 days in a 4 year period.

 

[calgaryimmigration]

But i was just wondering, why would you wanted to apply for Canadian citizenship if you don not really intend to live in Canada?
Don't you think it was rather counterproductive?