Entering Canada Mexican Wife

[EG]

I am a non-resident Canadian born citizen. 10 years ago I married a Mexican woman in Mexico. We moved to Canada--she entered as a visitor. I began the process of applying to sponsor her. We extended her visit visa during this time. But after 8 months we moved to the Middle East and I abandoned the sponsorship.

Fast forward 10 years. We now have two children (Canadian citizens). We are now planning to return to Canada and re-establish residency and start-up the sponsorship process again.

My wife will get a visit visa.

When we go through customs, what is likely to happen? While in the Middle East, we often came back to Canada in the summers, and as a family we entered as visitors. But now, we are entering with the intention of staying. I am a non-resident and she is a visitor.

Any ideas as to possible concerns? Does my non-residence status complicate things? When I reach customs I will say that I am returning with the intention of re-establishing my residency and that my plan is to sponsor my wife.

 

[iarblue]

Well you may have a problem getting a visit visa for your wife to stay in Canada while her PR is being processed.If you want you can go to visit canada and it will tell you the requirements and one of those is that she has to prove without a doubt to immigration that if her visa runs out she will leave Canada.You can apply for extensions once she is here but the chance she will get a visit visa on the fact you want to move to Canada is above 90% it will be refused.
Your children are Canadian by decent.
You may have to apply outland from the middle east,and once she gets her PR then come.But you will also have to prove to Canada that you are going to re establish in Canada,you will have to show how you plan to re establish.Examples are a job offer from Canada,a lease from an appartment in Canada,a letter from someone here saying your going to live with them until you get re established,job,housing.
But all said the first thing you need to do is apply for the visit visa see if she gets approved if so then come,and apply.If not then you know that you need to apply outland and wait for her PR.
Just for advice dont make any solid plans to come now like plane tickets that are non refundable incase she is refused.It would be a big loss seeing there is four of you.And as far as i know to apply for a visit visa you have to include an ittinerary for flights,

 

[iarblue]

I should add if you apply outland the visa will be processed in her home country Mexico(mexico city) and if she is required for an interview will have to return to mexico for that interview.
I dont want to make any decisions for you,but if you can,you might want to go back to mexico for the process.Process times in Mexico are 14 months for 80% of applicants.
Good luck hope this helps.

 

[EG]

Thanks for your insight into this issue.

We have in fact purchased tickets for Toronto leaving from Abu Dhabi at the end of June. I'm going try talking to the Canadian embassy--my wife was allowed entry on a visit visa 10 years ago after we got married in Mexico. Have the rules changed recently? I don't think we had to prove that her stay was going to be temporary--indeed our intention was to stay then as well.

Do you think I could start the PR process immediately and then on the strength of that application (in process) cross into Canada as we plan in 4 weeks?