Financial Assistance

[shadow]

Does anyone have any information regarding assistance for the extreme cost to file an application for permanent residency. My husband (from the UK) and I have been married for 1 year and have not been able to start the immigration process due to our financial situation. We are really stuck, he and his daughter have been living in Canada for 5mths now and we really don't see a light at the end of the tunnel as I am supporting our family of four on my wages only.

Is there anyway he could work in Canada while waiting for his permanent status?

Any help would be appreciated

 

[BCbound]

Assuming he and his daughter are UK citizens, they cannot work in Canada without a PR visa. Assuming that you are a Canadian citizen and are sponsoring them under the spousal application from within Canada, it would normally be 6-12 months before they get their PR visas.

As part of sponsoring them, you have to undertake to be financially responsible for them for 3 years after they 'land'. There is no financial assistance available for applicants. You have to come up with the sponsorship money only however in order to start the process. The PR visa fee itself can be paid later in the process but you will have to come up with it at some point.

How are they staying legally in the country? If they have overstayed a tourist visa, they will be automaticallly disqualifed for PR status. I hope they are legally resident.

 

[shadow]

Yes he and his daughter are UK citizens. My understanding as a Canadian citizen is that as a sponsor in the family class I am financially responsible for him for 3yrs and his daughter for 10yrs.

Apparently they could be elegible for a work permit while waiting for PR status as long as he has an offer of a job.

Do I just send in the sponsorship application or the whole thing if I am only sending payment for the sponsorship app.

My husband and daughter are here visiting and won't be going back as we will be applying for PR status from within Canada. As far as I know this is legal.

 

[BCbound]

I would suggest you send a private message to PMM. He has worked in the immigration system for many years and has the most dependable advice on this board.

As I understand things, you have to be sure to keep getting their visas renewed while in the process of applying. If their tourist visa runs out and they haven't left or renewed, they will automatically be disqualified from getting PR status.

My understanding is also that they cannot work while waiting in Canada for their PR status to be approved.

You would fill out ALL the forms for both yourself and them but only pay the sponsorship fee. Once you got a letter saying you had been approved as a sponsor and that they had forwarded their application for processing, at some time during the processing period you would receive a letter requesting that you pay the balance of the fees and send them a copy of the receipt.

Again, I'm not an expert and would suggest you get PMM to give you some answers.

 

[PMM]

Hi

I would suggest you send a private message to PMM. He has worked in the immigration system for many years and has the most dependable advice on this board.

As I understand things, you have to be sure to keep getting their visas renewed while in the process of applying. If their tourist visa runs out and they haven't left or renewed, they will automatically be disqualified from getting PR status.

My understanding is also that they cannot work while waiting in Canada for their PR status to be approved.

You would fill out ALL the forms for both yourself and them but only pay the sponsorship fee. Once you got a letter saying you had been approved as a sponsor and that they had forwarded their application for processing, at some time during the processing period you would receive a letter requesting that you pay the balance of the fees and send them a copy of the receipt.

Again, I'm not an expert and would suggest you get PMM to give you some answers.

1. Send in the sponsorship with the upfront medical and criminal records checks to Vegreville. Pay the sponsorship fees $650.00.
2. You can include in the package a request for an open work permit IMM 1249 when the AIP is issued, but as this would be 6/7 months or so down the road, you may wish to save the $125 if money is tight until your spouse receives AIP.
3. What are you doing about the child's school?
4. I hope your spouse has permission from the child's mother to allow the child to immigrate?
5. If you have difficulty in paying the $975 RPRF you can apply for a loan.
see: IR 5 Cost Recovery

"The announcement of the fee was included in the 1995 Federal Budget and the Immigrant Loans Program was expanded to include provisions for a federal loan to assist immigrants in the payment of this new fee. While the Regulations indicate broad eligibility for a loan, the criteria
established focus on the need and ability to repay the loan. Initially, refugees were the primary recipients of ROLF loans."
6. For the loan application see: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/guides/5351e.html

 

[shadow]

I really appreciate all of your input, this is really quite a process!!!!!

I will send PMM a private message to see what he has to say, thanks.

My stepdaughter finished school in the UK but would like to go to college here in Canada and yes she does have her mother's permission thank goodness.

Are you in the process yourself of immigrating to Canada? You seem very knowledgeable.

thanks again for all you help.

 

[BCbound]

Hahahaha, look at the previous posters handle. PMM just answered you!!!

Good luck.

 

[DancingFeather]

He is right about keeping the tourist visa active. Very important as you will no longer have any status, thus illegal and will have to leave.

Ah, yes, the eternal question of financing. You could always try to borrow the money from a banking institution or financial private company or if you have family and friends who would get together and make a money pot for you.

 

[apple_talk]

Getting Financial Assistance does impacts your Immigration sponsorship case.

 

[Isometry]

Your husband can work if he can get a work permit, and his daughter may qualify for a working holiday visa. (I'm assuming that getting the daughter a student visa and paying tuition for her would be prohibitively expensive at this time) The working holiday visa is an open work permit for people ages 18-35, would not require her to have a job offer first, is usually processed pretty quickly, and is open to UK citizens. Applications are closed for 2012, but it's almost 2013, so this is worth looking into. They can work while waiting for PR if they can get work permits, which would help pay for the application.

 

[PMM]

Hi

Getting Financial Assistance does impacts your Immigration sponsorship case.

You realize this thread is over 5 years old?

 

[R151NG5UN]

LOL some people just resurrect things for the sake of it. Ha ha ha