Come to Canada Wizard - Canadian Children

[CWilson]

A question about the "Come to Canada" wizard. I'm British and want to apply for skilled worker immigration. The issue is I don't meet the criteria on the Come to Canada wizard because I have 3 dependent children. I understand the reasons behind this. But, my children all have Canadian citizenship already because their mother is Canadian (they all live with their mother). They plan on moving to Canada independent of me. I'm not sure what to do about this because I don't think the system is intended to count Canadian children against an applicant but the question is very black and white.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[scylla]

Forget about the Come to Canada Wizard and just start reading up on Express Entry if your plan is to immigrate independently. Info here:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/index.asp

FYI - since your wife is Canadian it would likely be easiest / fastest for her to sponsor you for PR as her spouse using the outland spousal sponsorshi program. This avoids you having to take the IELTS language test, have your education evaluated, obtain all of your work experience proof, etc.

 

[CWilson]

Thanks for your answer.

I'm not married, my ex is Canadian and I have 3 children with her. So a spouse visa isn't an option. I've already done the language test and sent off to get my degree verified so at least that is out the way.

It seems that you need to use the Come to Canada tool, it gives you a code which you need to start your application. If I enter my children in that tool I don't get anywhere, however, if I just put that it's just me with no children I can progress.

 

[dobes]

Thanks for your answer.

I'm not married, my ex is Canadian and I have 3 children with her. So a spouse visa isn't an option. I've already done the language test and sent off to get my degree verified so at least that is out the way.

It seems that you need to use the Come to Canada tool, it gives you a code which you need to start your application. If I enter my children in that tool I don't get anywhere, however, if I just put that it's just me with no children I can progress.

On the Come to Canada tool then, put just you. It doesn't do anything but give you the code. On your application, put the children. See if that works. There is a recognized flaw in the EE system, which has been demanding test scores, police reports, and medicals for Canadian spouses and medicals for children. So far, the flaw has not been corrected, but CIC has told some people by phone to simply explain the absence of those things by reporting (or documenting) the Canadian citizenship of the spouse/children.

The biggest issue I can foresee for you is that you will most likely have to prove you have funds for 4 people to be eligible for the FSW program. And I'm assuming your profession is in the NOC 0,A, or B areas.

 

[CWilson]

Ok, I thought the Come to Canada tool was the first step as that gives you a code which I think you need for the application. Having said that, all the details I put in the C2C tool are in my application anyway.

My profession is in the NOC database as A.

Seems a bit nuts I'd have to prove funds for 4 people, given that my children will already be living there with their mum by the time I arrive.

 

[dobes]

Ok, I thought the Come to Canada tool was the first step as that gives you a code which I think you need for the application. Having said that, all the details I put in the C2C tool are in my application anyway.

My profession is in the NOC database as A.

Seems a bit nuts I'd have to prove funds for 4 people, given that my children will already be living there with their mum by the time I arrive.

Yeah - but then you are their father, and will be required to provide support for them, right?

 

[CWilson]

Yeah - but then you are their father, and will be required to provide support for them, right?

True, although support will be split between both me and their mother. But it makes sense that they want to ensure you're not going to run out of money before getting a job.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Jaxon911]

A question about the "Come to Canada" wizard. I'm British and want to apply for skilled worker immigration. The issue is I don't meet the criteria on the Come to Canada wizard because I have 3 dependent children. I understand the reasons behind this. But, my children all have Canadian citizenship already because their mother is Canadian (they all live with their mother). They plan on moving to Canada independent of me. I'm not sure what to do about this because I don't think the system is intended to count Canadian children against an applicant but the question is very black and white.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Since your spouse cannot / will not sponsor you, your only option is Express Entry. You might have to explain CIC that they're already Canadian Citizens and their proof of funds was prolly provided when applying for their citizenship so you don't need to provide proof again. In any case, if you do have extra money to provide proof of funds then it's even better. Since they're not living with you, you're probably fine to exclude them from your application.

Don't bother about Come to Canada wizard, get an ECA and IELTS and submit your profile in the pool. Since you're a Briton, you should easily get around 7.5 to 8 in each section of IELTS, more you get higher your chances of qualifying!

Good luck!

 

[dobes]

Since your spouse cannot / will not sponsor you, your only option is Express Entry. You might have to explain CIC that they're already Canadian Citizens and their proof of funds was prolly provided when applying for their citizenship so you don't need to provide proof again. In any case, if you do have extra money to provide proof of funds then it's even better. Since they're not living with you, you're probably fine to exclude them from your application.

Don't bother about Come to Canada wizard, get an ECA and IELTS and submit your profile in the pool. Since you're a Briton, you should easily get around 7.5 to 8 in each section of IELTS, more you get higher your chances of qualifying!

Good luck!

His children are Canadian by birth, as their mom is Canadian. No one had to prove funds.

 

[CWilson]

I've created a MyCIC profile and completed an application, although I've not submitted it yet.

The potential problem is there is still a family question where I have to state that I have 3 children. There is no distinction for Canadian children so I don't think I'll get accepted on these grounds.

Obviously I want to give accurate information on the application but there is no where for me to state that my children are Canadian nationals and will be living there with their mother by the time I arrive. I'm sure the system doesn't intend to penalize me for having Canadian children so I think it's a flaw in the application form.

I don't know what to do...

 

[CWilson]

I'm only basing this on the fact that the Come to Canada tool says I'm not eligible if I put I have 3 children and I am eligible if I say it's only me. I assume the logic is that I'm applying as a skilled worker, so they're happy to have someone with a desirable profession but less happy if it's that person plus they're shipping other people over with them who don't have anything immediate to offer the country. i.e. they'd rather have 4 professionals move to Canada than 1 professional + 3 children.

I understand the logic (unless there are other factors I'm missing). But in my case my children are already able to move to Canada independently from me as they're Canadian. Plus they'll already be living in Canada with their Canadian mother. So effectively I am just a single person and aren't trying to move my family over with me.

Unfortunately the form is very black and white and I don't think I'll even get to the stage where I can explain this.

 

[dobes]

I'm only basing this on the fact that the Come to Canada tool says I'm not eligible if I put I have 3 children and I am eligible if I say it's only me. I assume the logic is that I'm applying as a skilled worker, so they're happy to have someone with a desirable profession but less happy if it's that person plus they're shipping other people over with them who don't have anything immediate to offer the country. i.e. they'd rather have 4 professionals move to Canada than 1 professional + 3 children.

I understand the logic (unless there are other factors I'm missing). But in my case my children are already able to move to Canada independently from me as they're Canadian. Plus they'll already be living in Canada with their Canadian mother. So effectively I am just a single person and aren't trying to move my family over with me.

Unfortunately the form is very black and white and I don't think I'll even get to the stage where I can explain this.

But you really aren't just a single person. Canada will assume that you must support your children, no matter their nationality, no matter where they live. They won't support you abandoning your family financially! So for financial purposes it doesn't matter that they will already be here or that they live with their mother. They are yours to provide for, and you will have to show that you have the money to do it. People who are moving to Canada alone and leaving their families behind in home countries have to do the same - show finances to support the total number of people, whether or not they are coming to Canada - because they have family responsibilities no matter where they are.

 

[Jaxon911]

I'm only basing this on the fact that the Come to Canada tool says I'm not eligible if I put I have 3 children and I am eligible if I say it's only me. I assume the logic is that I'm applying as a skilled worker, so they're happy to have someone with a desirable profession but less happy if it's that person plus they're shipping other people over with them who don't have anything immediate to offer the country. i.e. they'd rather have 4 professionals move to Canada than 1 professional + 3 children.

I understand the logic (unless there are other factors I'm missing). But in my case my children are already able to move to Canada independently from me as they're Canadian. Plus they'll already be living in Canada with their Canadian mother. So effectively I am just a single person and aren't trying to move my family over with me.

Unfortunately the form is very black and white and I don't think I'll even get to the stage where I can explain this.

I don't know where are you accessing the wizard?

This is the latest Come to Canada wizard: http://www.cic.gc.ca/ctc-vac/cometocanada.asp

If you select "move here permanently", it never asks about number of family members you have. You're wasting everyone's time. Just submit your application in Express Entry pool and let CIC decide what they want to do.

Since your children are not in your custody, you can claim that they're not your dependent.

 

[CWilson]

But you really aren't just a single person. Canada will assume that you must support your children, no matter their nationality, no matter where they live. They won't support you abandoning your family financially! So for financial purposes it doesn't matter that they will already be here or that they live with their mother. They are yours to provide for, and you will have to show that you have the money to do it. People who are moving to Canada alone and leaving their families behind in home countries have to do the same - show finances to support the total number of people, whether or not they are coming to Canada - because they have family responsibilities no matter where they are.

This makes sense. It was indeed that I was only putting that I have enough funds for myself and not my 3 children. Looks like I'll have to save up another 10k. When do I need to submit proof of funds? I plan to sell my car before I leave which will raise most of the remaining money but obviously I don't want to do that until I'm about to go. Seems a waste of time to have to wait to save the money, then apply, get accepted and then sell my car + other stuff and actually end up taking far more money that I need.

I don't know where are you accessing the wizard?

This is the latest Come to Canada wizard: ...

If you select "move here permanently", it never asks about number of family members you have. You're wasting everyone's time. Just submit your application in Express Entry pool and let CIC decide what they want to do.

Since your children are not in your custody, you can claim that they're not your dependent.

I followed the link, after the first couple of screens it's the same wizard I've seen before which does ask the number of family members you have.

I don't think the fact they're not in my custody actually matters, they're still dependent children and I still pay child support.

 

[dobes]

You have to show the funds when you submit your PR application, and potentially again when you present yourself at the border.

Some people have said that, for instance, showing the blue book value of your car when you submit the application and saying that you will sell it before you emigrate is fine, and others have said it must be liquid at the time you show it. I suspect that this is one of those things that depends on the flexibility of the officer examining your file.

I agree that it makes no sense to sell the car when you apply for PR, as it could be 6 months before you get it!

Remember that this funds thing is only for FSW and FST without LIMA, who are not working in Canada. If you can find another way to get to Canada and work legally for a year, you could apply under CEC instead. There may be other strategies you can think of, too. Good luck!