Getting married at the court house....

[katester]

Hi, so my guy and I have been talking about marriage lately and we both want to have a small wedding with people that we love there to celebrate. However he is in the Army, and although he currently can go to any CF base of his choosing... the timing is not of his choosing. So its been months since tried getting a job offer for the Work Permit. And we are both getting frustrated since he is on a time restraint... his current base needs to know where to send him before the new year. And the plan was that we would go where I got a job. Literally! I've applied every where in the 3 provinces that we are willing to go to.

So now we are thinking since we are on a time restraint and we love each other and want to be together as soon as possible could we get married in a courthouse (most likely Rochester, NY before the new year) then have the Army send him to CF base in London, On. And once we get the Marriage Certificate I would apply for PR. Now instead of him sponsoring me..... we would live with my parents in Rochester, NY when he isn't working and I would drive him to the base when he is needed. So there would be no need for him to sponsor me we would pay the $475 (i think) fee and just wait it out until I get approved. I would be able to get a random job to save money and he would be able to do his job too. Would this work out at all or in order for spouse to get PR the Canadian spouse HAS to sponsor and support them? Cuz i'll tell you right now, he will not be able to support us on what the Army pays him unless he voluntarily deploys. Also what form would I need to fill out if this works?

Just the

IMM 0008 (general PR)
IMM 5669 (background)
IMM 5476 (representative form) ..not sure about this since is say and "sponsor"
IMM 5443 (check list) then completing all the things on the checklist of course

 

[frenchie57]

What do you mean when you say

So there would be no need for him to sponsor me

It is still a sponsorship even if you are applying outland

 

[Sweden]

Hi, so my guy and I have been talking about marriage lately and we both want to have a small wedding with people that we love there to celebrate. However he is in the Army, and although he currently can go to any CF base of his choosing... the timing is not of his choosing. So its been months since tried getting a job offer for the Work Permit. And we are both getting frustrated since he is on a time restraint... his current base needs to know where to send him before the new year. And the plan was that we would go where I got a job. Literally! I've applied every where in the 3 provinces that we are willing to go to.

So now we are thinking since we are on a time restraint and we love each other and want to be together as soon as possible could we get married in a courthouse (most likely Rochester, NY before the new year) then have the Army send him to CF base in London, On. And once we get the Marriage Certificate I would apply for PR. Now instead of him sponsoring me..... we would live with my parents in Rochester, NY when he isn't working and I would drive him to the base when he is needed. So there would be no need for him to sponsor me we would pay the $475 (i think) fee and just wait it out until I get approved. I would be able to get a random job to save money and he would be able to do his job too. Would this work out at all or in order for spouse to get PR the Canadian spouse HAS to sponsor and support them? Cuz i'll tell you right now, he will not be able to support us on what the Army pays him unless he voluntarily deploys. Also what form would I need to fill out if this works?

Just the

IMM 0008 (general PR)
IMM 5669 (background)
IMM 5476 (representative form) ..not sure about this since is say and "sponsor"
IMM 5443 (check list) then completing all the things on the checklist of course

Hey,

I am not sure if I understand your post correctly, so bear with me if I didn't....

There is no such thing as "just getting married and thus getting a work permit". Being married to a Canadian doesn't give you any rights (unless you're canadian yourself, but that's probably not the case).

The only way for you to get a PR is for him to sponsor you. (Unless you can apply through one of the other immigration programs, but I don't imagine it's the case, or if you can get an employer to get a LMO _ Labour Market Opinion, proving that you have some skills no found on the canadian market, but that's really difficult).

So - if you want to stay in Canada and work here, then your partner needs to sponsor you. If you have been living together for at least 12 months and can prove it, then he can sponsor you as common-law partner. If that's not the case, then you will need to get married first, then apply for a PR through sponsorship approval.

You can choose to do the process inland or outland - for the difference between the two processes and advantages and inconveniences of both, please read the first post by Leon on this forum, it explains very clearly.

There is no minimum income for a sponsorship for spouse. So even if your husband(or future) doesn't have a regular job, he can still sponsor you, as long as he can prove that he has a way to provide for you and you won't go on welfare. Living with his parents can be part of it.

I hope it clarifies a bit, and that I have answered your question - otherwise feel free to ask!
Good luck,
Sweden

 

[katester]

I appreciate both your posts. Maybe its because we have come across so much different information and maybe we jumbled up some things. We were under the impression that the CA citizen had to make a certain amount of money, enough to prove that they could take care of the US citizen (most likely so that the US citizen wouldnt work illegally)

I would not try for a job again until I was accepted as a PR.

So we could both live at my parents house temporarily in NY and he can work in CA. and I can work in NY until I get accepted. But he wont have to prove that he has a place to live in CA or can he use his address in BC? (currently living with grandma) So on paper he can sponsor me but his bank account wont effect it?

 

[frenchie57]

I appreciate both your posts. Maybe its because we have come across so much different information and maybe we jumbled up some things. We were under the impression that the CA citizen had to make a certain amount of money, enough to prove that they could take care of the US citizen (most likely so that the US citizen wouldnt work illegally)

I would not try for a job again until I was accepted as a PR.

So we could both live at my parents house temporarily in NY and he can work in CA. and I can work in NY until I get accepted. But he wont have to prove that he has a place to live in CA or can he use his address in BC? (currently living with grandma) So on paper he can sponsor me but his bank account wont effect it?

There is no minimum income required for spousal sponsorship, but as Sweden explained, if the income is low, your bf will have to explain how he plans on supporting you.

I don't believe he has to live in Canada while you guys are applying, but you will need to prove that you plan on living there once your PR is approved.

 

[katester]

Well, its great news to hear that there isn't a minimum salary he has to have in order for this to work

you made our night!

 

[Sweden]

I appreciate both your posts. Maybe its because we have come across so much different information and maybe we jumbled up some things. We were under the impression that the CA citizen had to make a certain amount of money, enough to prove that they could take care of the US citizen (most likely so that the US citizen wouldnt work illegally)

I would not try for a job again until I was accepted as a PR.

So we could both live at my parents house temporarily in NY and he can work in CA. and I can work in NY until I get accepted. But he wont have to prove that he has a place to live in CA or can he use his address in BC? (currently living with grandma) So on paper he can sponsor me but his bank account wont effect it?

Yes - that would work. If you haven't lived together for 12 months, then you need to get married first. In the meantime, you can start preparing your application as there is a fair bit of "homework" to do to put it together. Nothing impossible, but be prepared to spend a few evenings reading and reading - and filling out forms etc.

it's a two stage process - first stage is mostly to determine if your partner is eligible for sponsorship. the conditions are : no criminal record, not on welfare, and having a plan to live in Canada, if he is not based in Canada. In your case, if your bf is with the army, the question about "going to Canada" will be easily solved. He can use his grandma address in BC as his residence.
Second part is about you, the applicant: criminal background, medical checks, and your history, as well as determining if your relationship is genuine. You can keep on living and working in NY as long as the process is not done.

THe application needs to be put together - both parts together, then you send it to Mississauga, and wait!

Currently, you are looking at 35 days for stage 1, and stage 2, as a US applicant, you will go through Ottawa (yes, that's right!). It used to be Buffalo but the office is closed, so it's Ottawa who is the center for US applicants. Currently, the waiting time is 12 months, but quite a few applications get done quicker. If all goes well, you could have your PR in 9 to 12 months - or before.

Hope it clarifies a bit - there is a lot of information available and it's confusing. Download the forms from CIC website, print them out, start getting an idea of what you need to have, and give it a go!

If you have questions - come back to the forum (or if you need to vent once the waiting time has started!).
Good luck,
Sweden

 

[Sweden]

Well, its great news to hear that there isn't a minimum salary he has to have in order for this to work

you made our night!

Glad to hear that! he will need to prove that he has a "plan" : once you have a PR, what will you do ( both him and you) to avoid going on welfare. So anything can do! if you will have free accommodation for a while - say it, and get a letter from whoever will host you saying that they are willing to support you until you get on your feet.
Even if your own education doesn't come into consideration (it's not a skilled worked program), if you have skills/competencies that could be transferred to Canada and will make it easy for you to find a job : include that. If he will be deployed anywhere with the army (thus making money) and you will follow him and get any job there - include that information. Basically : it should prove to CIC that you are both serious about going to Canada and making it work, that you are aware of what it means, and that you have a plan for yourself as a family.

My partner has been approved, despite being a student for the last 3 years, having a student loan to pay back, and only worked 5 months (summer jobs) in the last 3 years. So - you can do it!

Good luck,
Sweden

 

[katester]

Good! I'm glad to hear that you got your approval!

We have just one more question tho.. if this is going to be our plan that means that I will drive him to the CF base 1 day a week and then what ever weekends they tell him he needs to work... as well as any extra work he gets. So how often and frequently can we cross the boarder driving? I know untimely it is up to the patrol person. But How often do you think we can cross in a day? Once to Canada let him work and me...idk shop or whatever then several hours later when he is done we drive back to NY. Would a NEXUS pass help us? Are they less likely to deny us if we have one? Cuz if we are denied then what? He misses duty gets charged.....

 

[Sweden]

Good! I'm glad to hear that you got your approval!

We have just one more question tho.. if this is going to be our plan that means that I will drive him to the CF base 1 day a week and then what ever weekends they tell him he needs to work... as well as any extra work he gets. So how often and frequently can we cross the boarder driving? I know untimely it is up to the patrol person. But How often do you think we can cross in a day? Once to Canada let him work and me...idk shop or whatever then several hours later when he is done we drive back to NY. Would a NEXUS pass help us? Are they less likely to deny us if we have one? Cuz if we are denied then what? He misses duty gets charged.....

That's a tricky question, and I am not sure I can answer that, as I am not familiar with that. I know that you can get a "visitor record", which is never a guarantee on getting into Canada, but a lot of people have it. However, it's more intended for people that are staying in Canada (on tourist visa to be with their spouse) for longer period of times.

The easiest would be if he could drive himself to the CF base, and occasionally you could go with him, but I guess that's not an option for you guys?

I'm not familiar enough with Nexus and various passes between Canada and the US, but I'm pretty sure you are not the only one crossing daily the border, so maybe try and ask the question on the "US Outland thread" where most people are US/Can couples going through the sponsorship process - they have quite a lot of experience with border crossing, and how to maximise your chances!

Here is the thread http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/us-outland-applicants-thread-t106068.1215.html

Good luck,
Sweden

 

[katester]

Much appreciated! I forwarded my question to that thread

 

[Creampop]

your going to have your husband in the car taking him to the base he is stationed at I really don't see a problem with the crossing. My husband and I have been together 13 years and have 2 children and we chose to live apart as things in my life were not ready to be uprooted, I had an older son he wanted to finish high school and did not want to move to Canada so it was in our best interest to wait for him to no longer be a dependent child, anyways I crossed the border 2 to 4 weekends a month plus vacations and longer holidays for YEARS and never had a problem, yes getting a nexus card will make going back and forth alot easier but, it can take just as long to get a nexus card as it can take for you to get permanent residency. We finally applied for my PR in April this year and I will be officially landing in Canada tomorrow making it 7 months from start to finish. Things you can have when you cross copy of your marriage certificate, copy of the receipt showing the fees for PR have been paid, even if your staying with your mom and dad have them write up a mini lease, pay stubs showing you have a job. these things are not required and you may never be asked for them but it's always good to have proof cus occasionally you can get an IO that has the "god" complex (nice word for a$$) LOL Good Luck!