Couple questions - total newbie here!

[sillyrichie]

Hi everyone,

My name is Sillyrichie, and I'm a newbie to this Canadian immigration process. I'm a Canadian citizen by birth, currently living in Virginia with my husband who is American by birth. We've been here since 2012 and I am classified as a non-resident. We now wish to move back to Canada. I've read the guides and it's mostly clear, however I'm stuck on a few things:

- When it comes time for the medical, will he need to take as many vaccinations as I did for American immigration? Or will he just need to provide his immunization record?
- I have not lived in Canada since 2012 but would still like to sponsor him. Will I need to move home first in order to do this, or can I do that from here?
- I have an offer of a place to stay and an open-ended job offer for when I return. Will these documents be enough to prove that I intend to re-establish myself and will not draw welfare (and will not use welfare-type benefits to help my husband survive)?
- He is a journeyman electrician down here and wants to be able to work in his trade when we move, once he has a work permit. How do we go about that?

Thanks for your help!

 

[missmatalini]

Hi everyone,

My name is Sillyrichie, and I'm a newbie to this Canadian immigration process. I'm a Canadian citizen by birth, currently living in Virginia with my husband who is American by birth. We've been here since 2012 and I am classified as a non-resident. We now wish to move back to Canada. I've read the guides and it's mostly clear, however I'm stuck on a few things:

- When it comes time for the medical, will he need to take as many vaccinations as I did for American immigration? Or will he just need to provide his immunization record?
- I have not lived in Canada since 2012 but would still like to sponsor him. Will I need to move home first in order to do this, or can I do that from here?
- I have an offer of a place to stay and an open-ended job offer for when I return. Will these documents be enough to prove that I intend to re-establish myself and will not draw welfare (and will not use welfare-type benefits to help my husband survive)?
- He is a journeyman electrician down here and wants to be able to work in his trade when we move, once he has a work permit. How do we go about that?

Thanks for your help!

Welcome! Just out of curiosity, where in Virginia are you living? I'm from Virginia, I love it there!

Vaccinations aren't required like they are for the U.S, he'll undergo a medical exam, which is a physical, an x-ray and some lab work, depending on where you get that done, it usually is somewhere around 250-400 dollars.
I'm not positive on how it works when you are living outside of Canada and sponsoring but you will need to show proof of intent to come back to live in Canada. Job offers, letters from family in Canada saying they expect you home, living arrangements. . ect are good for that.

Are you applying Outland or Inland (I highly suggest Outland as it's much much much faster, right now it's averaging 3-4 months)

 

[JAMO1973]

I am not sure about the medical part but as for proving a plan to re-establish, you should get a letter or a few from people in Canada offering to have you stay with them and support you while you get started. You should get that job offer in writing so that you can submit it with your application. If you are non-resident and not filing income tax in Canada you need to get a letter from your employer in the states stating your job title, how long you have worked at the company, how many hours you work a week and salary. It needs to be the original letter you send and you need the last 12 months of paystubs from your current job if your not filing taxes in Canada and not submitting the option C form. You should also write a letter telling them why you want to return to Canada and explain how you both plan to get established in Canada upon arrival.

 

[rhcohen2014]

- When it comes time for the medical, will he need to take as many vaccinations as I did for American immigration? Or will he just need to provide his immunization record?

no, the medical exam does not include any vaccinations. he will need to schedule an appointment with an official cic panel doctor (link to list is in the guide) in his area. it is a quick physical exam, they will take blood and urine samples, and do a chest xray. basically they are checking for communicable diseases.

- I have not lived in Canada since 2012 but would still like to sponsor him. Will I need to move home first in order to do this, or can I do that from here?

no, you will not need to move back before him. you can move back with him once he gets approval. CIC will want to see a clear plan for your intentions to move back upon approval.

- I have an offer of a place to stay and an open-ended job offer for when I return. Will these documents be enough to prove that I intend to re-establish myself and will not draw welfare (and will not use welfare-type benefits to help my husband survive)?

yes, those are excellent pieces to use to prove your intent. people will usually get family members to write letters offering help to get them on their feet.

- He is a journeyman electrician down here and wants to be able to work in his trade when we move, once he has a work permit. How do we go about that?

he is applying for permanent residency, so once approved he will have the legal right to live and work in canada. he will not need a work permit, nor is he eligible to apply for one since he is applying OUTLAND. Currently, US OUTLAND applicants are getting approved in 3 months, so even if he was eligible, there would be no need for a work permit. as soon as he lands, he can get a SIN# and start looking for a job. he might find luck going on the canada job bank website. I believe it's www.jobbank.gc.ca

 

[sillyrichie]

Welcome! Just out of curiosity, where in Virginia are you living? I'm from Virginia, I love it there!

Vaccinations aren't required like they are for the U.S, he'll undergo a medical exam, which is a physical, an x-ray and some lab work, depending on where you get that done, it usually is somewhere around 250-400 dollars.
I'm not positive on how it works when you are living outside of Canada and sponsoring but you will need to show proof of intent to come back to live in Canada. Job offers, letters from family in Canada saying they expect you home, living arrangements. . ect are good for that.

Are you applying Outland or Inland (I highly suggest Outland as it's much much much faster, right now it's averaging 3-4 months)

We're living in Saltville, actually - it's really beautiful but has been SO hard to find a job here! Going to miss it, but to me there's nothing like the prairies (I'm from Winnipeg LOL). Whereabouts are you? Are you going through this process too, or did you just move the other way?

We'll probably go to Chapel Hill to get it done, it's a 3 hour drive as opposed to 6 hours to get anywhere else. Maybe I should call and ask how much their exams are, LOL...And the exam sounds way easier than mine did! It sounds like a routine physical...maybe I should send him for one beforehand to our own doctor to make sure everything checks out...

In terms of moving back, I'd say that if all else fails a letter from my mother (who offered to sponsor my husband the second I told her BEFORE I could ask her) would help, hey? Maybe I'll ask her for one stating that we can stay with her when we return until we get our feet back on the ground!

We were thinking Outland because we have a house to either sell or rent, still...are the outland apps really taking 3-4 MONTHS???

 

[missmatalini]

We're living in Saltville, actually - it's really beautiful but has been SO hard to find a job here! Going to miss it, but to me there's nothing like the prairies (I'm from Winnipeg LOL). Whereabouts are you? Are you going through this process too, or did you just move the other way?

We'll probably go to Chapel Hill to get it done, it's a 3 hour drive as opposed to 6 hours to get anywhere else. Maybe I should call and ask how much their exams are, LOL...And the exam sounds way easier than mine did! It sounds like a routine physical...maybe I should send him for one beforehand to our own doctor to make sure everything checks out...

In terms of moving back, I'd say that if all else fails a letter from my mother (who offered to sponsor my husband the second I told her BEFORE I could ask her) would help, hey? Maybe I'll ask her for one stating that we can stay with her when we return until we get our feet back on the ground!

We were thinking Outland because we have a house to either sell or rent, still...are the outland apps really taking 3-4 MONTHS???

Hubby and I are in British Columbia, but I'm originally from Roanoke, I miss Virginia a ton! I have a lot of family in Chapel hill NC at least it's a nice drive Medical exam really is just to check that he is in good health, the x-ray is to check for TB. We've been looking into getting a green card for my husband because we've toyed with the idea of moving back to the states. The vaccinations and medical requirements are ridiculous for the US compared to Canada.

Outland really is only taking 3 months. We've been waiting longer because we waited until medicals were requested instead of sending them up front, we also had some bumps along the way as well but rhcohen2014 applied in March and will be landing the end of this month! Crazy hey!

 

[rhcohen2014]

We'll probably go to Chapel Hill to get it done, it's a 3 hour drive as opposed to 6 hours to get anywhere else. Maybe I should call and ask how much their exams are, LOL...And the exam sounds way easier than mine did! It sounds like a routine physical...maybe I should send him for one beforehand to our own doctor to make sure everything checks out...

he will need to make an appointment ahead of time, and confirm with the doctor what he needs. some require the applicant to bring their own pictures, some take the pictures there. he will also need his passport. it's also very important to confirm the doctor is familiar with the EMEDICAL system. this is the new electronic system CIC is using for receiving medical exams. some doctors are not up to date. the doctor must give him an EMEDICAL form at the end that will have his picture, personal info and a barcode. this paper needs to be included with the application, and it's recommended you keep a copy for your own records, just in case.

[/quote]

We were thinking Outland because we have a house to either sell or rent, still...are the outland apps really taking 3-4 MONTHS???

yep, sure are. the straightforward, non-complicated cases are getting fast tracked right now. currently MAY 2014 applicants are getting approved.

 

[sillyrichie]

no, the medical exam does not include any vaccinations. he will need to schedule an appointment with an official cic panel doctor (link to list is in the guide) in his area. it is a quick physical exam, they will take blood and urine samples, and do a chest xray. basically they are checking for communicable diseases.

no, you will not need to move back before him. you can move back with him once he gets approval. CIC will want to see a clear plan for your intentions to move back upon approval.

yes, those are excellent pieces to use to prove your intent. people will usually get family members to write letters offering help to get them on their feet.

he is applying for permanent residency, so once approved he will have the legal right to live and work in canada. he will not need a work permit, nor is he eligible to apply for one since he is applying OUTLAND. Currently, US OUTLAND applicants are getting approved in 3 months, so even if he was eligible, there would be no need for a work permit. as soon as he lands, he can get a SIN# and start looking for a job. he might find luck going on the canada job back website. I believe it's ...

Thanks for all of the good information! You've just become my husband's favorite person - he does NOT like shots in the least so this will ease his mind. I took your advice and have asked mother and sister for letters as you've described just now, and hope this will help. And yes, that is the job bank - I've used it before a few times in my past and it's been really helpful. This is so much more clear now!

 

[sillyrichie]

Hubby and I are in British Columbia, but I'm originally from Roanoke, I miss Virginia a ton! I have a lot of family in Chapel hill NC at least it's a nice drive Medical exam really is just to check that he is in good health, the x-ray is to check for TB. We've been looking into getting a green card for my husband because we've toyed with the idea of moving back to the states. The vaccinations and medical requirements are ridiculous for the US compared to Canada.

Outland really is only taking 3 months. We've been waiting longer because we waited until medicals were requested instead of sending them up front, we also had some bumps along the way as well but rhcohen2014 applied in March and will be landing the end of this month! Crazy hey!

You know what's funny? We live REALLY close to Roanoke but I've never been! Heard it's a really nice city though. We're pretty familiar with Charlotte, and he has a cousin in Winston-Salem so that doctor should be an area he's familiar with (thankfully). The US medical requirements are insane - I have NO idea how I passed before! Their vaccination requirements make me feel like a pincushion just remembering them!

I think, if you're moving either way, that bumps are sort of to be expected. Such is life! That really is crazy, how fast the process goes. Yikes! Maybe we should get our house listed, you know, YESTERDAY lol...

 

[sillyrichie]

he will need to make an appointment ahead of time, and confirm with the doctor what he needs. some require the applicant to bring their own pictures, some take the pictures there. he will also need his passport. it's also very important to confirm the doctor is familiar with the EMEDICAL system. this is the new electronic system CIC is using for receiving medical exams. some doctors are not up to date. the doctor must give him an EMEDICAL form at the end that will have his picture, personal info and a barcode. this paper needs to be included with the application, and it's recommended you keep a copy for your own records, just in case.

yep, sure are. the straightforward, non-complicated cases are getting fast tracked right now. currently MAY 2014 applicants are getting approved.

Wow, pictures to the medical...that's a new one. Good to know that upfront! Good tip about the EMEDICAL system too. I sure hope the Chapel Hill docs are familiar with that...

MAY is getting approved? That's just insanity! (Congrats on your approval, btw. )

 

[rhcohen2014]

Wow, pictures to the medical...that's a new one. Good to know that upfront! Good tip about the EMEDICAL system too. I sure hope the Chapel Hill docs are familiar with that...

MAY is getting approved? That's just insanity! (Congrats on your approval, btw. )

thanks, yeah Ottawa started fast tracking applications from march on. it's actually taking longer for the sponsor eligibility stage than it is for the applicant's application to be approved.

for me, it was totally unexpected... i was planning to return as a visitor this week and stay there until approval, which we were HOPING would be in time for the holidays. now i get to actually LAND as a pr! crazy!!!

 

[sillyrichie]

thanks, yeah Ottawa started fast tracking applications from march on. it's actually taking longer for the sponsor eligibility stage than it is for the applicant's application to be approved.

for me, it was totally unexpected... i was planning to return as a visitor this week and stay there until approval, which we were HOPING would be in time for the holidays. now i get to actually LAND as a pr! crazy!!!

That's kind of funny that sponsors are taking longer to get approved than permanent residents. But it's pretty amazing! Probably a huge relief for you to be done too...no more waiting. That's always the WORST part!

US applications for the same exact process (with Canadian spouse) have been taking about a year since we did our application. I was up in Canada, he was here, it was our first year of marriage. That was PAINFUL. This process sounds WAY more user-friendly!

 

[rhcohen2014]

That's kind of funny that sponsors are taking longer to get approved than permanent residents. But it's pretty amazing! Probably a huge relief for you to be done too...no more waiting. That's always the WORST part!

US applications for the same exact process (with Canadian spouse) have been taking about a year since we did our application. I was up in Canada, he was here, it was our first year of marriage. That was PAINFUL. This process sounds WAY more user-friendly!

up until march applicants, it was taking 8-10 months for us applicants. there's no knowing if this trend will continue, or if it will go back up. of course, it's usually dependant on the amount of applications received, and what internal issues the offices may be facing at the time.

 

[sillyrichie]

up until march applicants, it was taking 8-10 months for us applicants. there's no knowing if this trend will continue, or if it will go back up. of course, it's usually dependant on the amount of applications received, and what internal issues the offices may be facing at the time.

8-10 months is still not bad, if it can be done from the same house...much less stress that way.