Canadian Sponsor/US Spouse (Me) - Questions!

[monstergirly]

Hello!

My husband is Canadian and moved to NYC from Toronto back in 2005 for work (and still works for the same company and would be moving back and keeping his same job). He has dual Canadian/US citizenship. We met in 2006, moved in together in 2007, were married in 2008 and now have two boys born in 2010 and 2012! We all still live in NYC and are planning to move to Canada in about 6 months from now and we're trying to nail down my immigration process. We now have proof of Canadian citizenship for the boys (also dual citizens now), so it's just me who needs to immigrate. We'll have everything that we need including documentation of proof of intent to move to Canada (job offer & lease agreement) by mid-month. All of his family lives in Canada.

If we submit the whole application package now (sponsorship and my application ) and the sponsorship is approved by the end of the year and everything else is in order, would we still be able to move next April even if I do not have permanent resident status yet? Would I need to enter as a visitor (thus not being able to work, which would be ok with me for a little while) until my permanent resident status is granted?

At what step in the process can I work?

As far as proof of our relationship goes - we've been married now for six years - is it sufficient to provide our marriage certificate and birth certificates of our children along with a few photos or should it be more detailed than that?

Since my husband has been living and working in the US for the last 9 years, will he need to provide US tax returns or W-2's along with his current pay statements, etc. to show proof of his ability to support me in lieu of the Canadian documentation?

Any advice on this would be much appreciated!

Thanks.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

If we submit the whole application package now (sponsorship and my application ) and the sponsorship is approved by the end of the year and everything else is in order, would we still be able to move next April even if I do not have permanent resident status yet? Would I need to enter as a visitor (thus not being able to work, which would be ok with me for a little while) until my permanent resident status is granted?

At what step in the process can I work?

As far as proof of our relationship goes - we've been married now for six years - is it sufficient to provide our marriage certificate and birth certificates of our children along with a few photos or should it be more detailed than that?

Since my husband has been living and working in the US for the last 9 years, will he need to provide US tax returns or W-2's along with his current pay statements, etc. to show proof of his ability to support me in lieu of the Canadian documentation?

Hi

You can't officially "move" to Canada until you are a PR. You would enter as a visitor. If you guys are bringing all of your belongings, it would be better for your husband to bring everything and for you to enter separately with only a bag or 2.

You would be able to work once you have landed as a PR.

For relationship proof, you have a fairly low threshold to meet. The certificates and photos from throughout the relationship are good. I would add a few letters from family/friends as well.

Yes, he should include his recent US tax documents in lieu.

 

[Ponga]

It's quite possible that if you can submit your Outland application NOW, you could be approved and have your CoPR document in hand by the time you come to Canada next spring. You would simply arrive at the airport (or land border), present your CoPR document (which would be mailed to you) and `land' as a Permanent Resident of Canada.

Even if you did not receive your CoPR prior to your move...er, I mean your family's move, since you would be coming along as a visitor, you could enter as a visitor and wait for your CoPR. Piece of cake!

Most Americans are processed in the Ottawa processing center, rather than the LA or NY offices, and seem to be completing the entire process in < 6 months...for everything!

Check out the Outland 2014 thread(s) to find out how fast other Americans are landing.

Good luck!

 

[monstergirly]

Thanks so much!

It does seem like I should get my package in ASAP if we want to make it for April...

 

[rhcohen2014]

Thanks so much!

It does seem like I should get my package in ASAP if we want to make it for April...

yes, the sooner you can start preparing everything, the better. the prep also helps when crossing the border. CBSA will like to see you know the rules.

keep in mind the wait for an FBI check went up dramatically due to a system change. it's now posted at a 12 WEEK wait! so, i would recommend that be the first step, so that by the time you are ready to submit, you'll have the record.

Also, when your husband is proving his intentions to move back to canada (as it's required if out of canada), it seems to work against applicants if specific dates are used. Basically, it seems to be best if the plans are assumed to be immediate. For example, i believe there is a us applicant who is having an issue because they mentioned not wanting to move until sometime next year, and since the approval is quicker these days, CIC assumes they aren't ready. it's quite possible to "land", then return home to wrap up life. especially from NYC, it's not very difficult to do.

 

[keesio]

As far as proof of our relationship goes - we've been married now for six years - is it sufficient to provide our marriage certificate and birth certificates of our children along with a few photos or should it be more detailed than that?

As a US/CDN couple being married for 6 years with 2 kids, as canuck_in_uk already said, you have a low threshold to meet. Besides the mandatory documents (marriage certificate, etc), a few key photos (wedding, family vacations, etc) and some proof that you have been living together (like joint tax returns with same address, mail going to the same address, etc) should be plenty.

 

[monstergirly]

Panic mode has set in now - it’s the end of December and we have not yet filed my papers. It took longer than we thought to get proof of intent to move (a lease for our apartment in Toronto) and I also didn’t get fingerprints to send off for my FBI report until today (which as others have mentioned are taking forever to process). I’ve already done the medical exam.

We’ve committed to move up there for April 1st!

What do I do? Are my husband and sons going to have to move without me?

What if I file the application from here in March or whenever the FBI report arrives and then we leave before it’s complete/approved?

Should we just wait until we’re there and file inbound? I’m aware I’ll need to enter as a visitor and I won’t be able to work…

Will the CIC send the approval to our address in Toronto if we provide it?

Freaking out a bit - any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Nicole

 

[canuck_in_uk]

No, they will not have to go without you. You can enter as a visitor.

I suggest you submit the app as soon as you have everything else. Include the FBI receipt and a letter of explanation.

If the app isn't approved before you go, then you enter as a visitor.

No, DO NOT file inland.

Yes, CIC will mail your COPR to your address in Toronto.

 

[galuramarvin]

Hi..... I am a Temporary Worker here in Alberta and my wife is a PR in Vancouver.. She wants to sponsor me to be a Permanent Resident.. She is pregnant and we want to live together as soon as possible but I cannot move to Vancouver until I have a PR.. SO we are applying for her to sponsor me. But I see now that it takes a long time processing here inside. Is it possible to send my application outside Canada even though I am already working here as a Temporary worker? Please Help..Thanks a Lot...

 

[rhcohen2014]

] Is it possible to send my application outside Canada even though I am already working here as a Temporary worker? Please Help..Thanks a Lot...

yes, a person can still apply OUTLAND even if they are IN canada as a visitor, worker or student. outland has nothing to do with where the applicant is physically.

 

[monstergirly]

Mailed application on January 13th and it was delivered to the CPC in Mississauga on Friday. I sent it without my FBI certificate but put a note that I would forward upon receipt. Hope it goes smoothly... longer processing time for sponsor part is a bummer.

I guess I am entering as a visitor when we move at the end of March... Still a little anxious about crossing the border. We haven't decided if we are going to U-Haul it or hire a mover.

What are the best and worst case scenarios?

Thanks!

 

[monstergirly]

Any advice on crossing the border as a visitor?

???

 

[rhcohen2014]

Any advice on crossing the border as a visitor?

???

be ready to show proof of ties to the us. remember you are a visitor and can only visit. don't bring all your belongings.

 

[blueangel371115]

Any advice on crossing the border as a visitor?

???

Also use the language of a visitor. Use words like visiting not staying, moving or living as you can't yet. Be honest as well but make it clear you know what you can and cannot do.

 

[monstergirly]

We have to bring all of our belongings - there won't be anywhere left to keep them here and we can't afford storage and a separate trip back down to get anything. My stuff is my husband's anyway - after over six years of marriage and two kids it's all lumped together as "ours". I know I can't work or receive benefits of any kind until I have my PR. I hope letting them know that will be sufficient and we'll be ok...