I'm currently in China, my wife is Chinese with one son who is not my biological son. We are legally married in China. I have worked in China for over 6 years. The military and economic escalation issues in China are growing, visa rejections for National Chinese are growing with the heighten escalation of China. We want to move to Canada together. I have a Canadian Citizenship. Can I show up to Canada with my Canadian Citizenship Certificate paperwork, with my family, and move into Canada? I have read some on Settlement assistance, but not sure if all that is done after arrival. Most of my family members are Canadian and reside closer to Toronto, but we want to live in BC province. Thank you.
I'm a Canadian Citizen, But Never lived in Canada as an Adult, to add, I have a foreign Wife and Child as well.
- Thread starter Justin Dalley
- Start date
You sponsor them to come with you. Go on the IRCC site to start the application outland. You show that you will be returning - looking for jobs, lease/rental agreement. You can live wherever you want. If your wife’s son then does she have full custody? What settlement assistance are you referring to since you are Canadian?
I read some articles where there are Canadian Settlement programs through the fed government and private non-profit entities. I will give the web address of one so we can be on the same page. https://www.vdicss.org/about. They were stating they can help people who have never lived in Canada to offer these settlement services as well. (even if it is just t my wife) Yes, her son's biological father (her husband) to her son has passed, and she has full parental rights. Thank you.
You need a valid Canadian passport in order to board a plane. And you can certainly move to BC. Your wife will probably also be receiving a pre arrival email from IRCC. The pre arrival email will give her tips on settlement services as well.
Btw, what military and economic escalation issues in China? Are you talking about the issues with PH?
This is a settlement centre that can help you find and access services in the community. Once you arrive and are a resident in Vernon then give them a call.
Okay, this is where I have run into issues. The passport is a bit complicated in China. I'm actually a Canadian American, (by Canadian Citizenship Certificate), but I only have an American Passport, and I work/ live in China. One of the requirements are, that I must know another Canadian for over 2 years to sign off on passport photos and the guarantor section of the Passport application, plus not being a family member I think it said. This is impossible for me in China. All my family is back in Toronto or America, so I know none in China that can be of assistance on this guarantor.
If your spouse an
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports/travel-documents-references-guarantors.html#outside-canada
At any rate, this doesn't much affect you if you have the citizenshp certificate. It's an exception to general Canadian rules that US citizens can board planes direct to Canada (even if already citizens). You should still get the Canadian passport though. And regardless of the passport you travel on, you should identify yourself at ports of entry as a Canadian citizen.
Once in Canada, the Canadian passport is likely the easiest identification, but US passport + citizenship certificate will be fine too.
But basically start filling out the 'outland' sponsorship packages.
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-5289-sponsor-your-spouse-common-law-partner-conjugal-partner-dependent-child-complete-guide.html
You need to go back and read the passport application requirements for guarantors again. The occupation-based guarantors for those applying abroad do not need to be Canadians.
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports/travel-documents-references-guarantors.html#outside-canada
At any rate, this doesn't much affect you if you have the citizenshp certificate. It's an exception to general Canadian rules that US citizens can board planes direct to Canada (even if already citizens). You should still get the Canadian passport though. And regardless of the passport you travel on, you should identify yourself at ports of entry as a Canadian citizen.
Once in Canada, the Canadian passport is likely the easiest identification, but US passport + citizenship certificate will be fine too.
But basically start filling out the 'outland' sponsorship packages.
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-5289-sponsor-your-spouse-common-law-partner-conjugal-partner-dependent-child-complete-guide.html
For some time now, China has been denying many Chinese Nationals exit of China. I work at an international school and have seen a high increase ever for students who want to study abroad be denied a visa. There has been a steady influx of Chinese Nationals living in China and numerous expats leaving just for instance. Guangdong where I live used to have a population density of 24 million since Covid and the Rapid building up of the military here causing extreme economic issues for the public, the density has shrunk to 20 million. On the Expat work and teaching side, many organizations such as Apple are leaving China, and new laws directed aimed at foreign workers and western teachers has become increasing strict. It is daily we see the military exercises, westerns being scrutinized more, and the daily complaints of the local government on TV here about possibility of war. Everyday China has issues with Taiwan, Malaysia, Japan, Philippines, Bruno, Vietnam, Korea, India, and other countries. You can see local news or videos of small conflicts or engagements being snuck out through personal mobile phones. Most Chinese know the economics are becoming worse and many losing their jobs. I hope this helps your question.
-In terms of priority, I'd focus on the settlement assistance later - but be aware, what assistance there is mostly is not monetary.
A few concepts to get you started:
-as I wrote separately, for the most part your citizenship paperwork is enough - since you happen to hold a US passport as well.
-you cannot 'show up' with your spouse and child without them holding visas. But if they do, you can basically arrive. [There's a separate topic - don't worry about this for now - that they can't too obviously be 'moving' as they would be showing up with visitor visas at this point.]
-You would have the right to work as a citizen, access to health care, etc. Your spouse and her child would not immediately. How long those might take - can depend somewhat on province and whatnot, so put that question aside for the time being (unless they already have visas). You will have to be prepared for those periods and the related costs (eg need for traveller's insurance).
-There is a distinction in the application process that mostly does not matter at this stage - applying 'outland' (from abroad) vs 'inland'. Inland means spouse has to already be in Canada. Outland - open to all whether in Canada or not. To keep things simple, let's say you apply 'outland' - probably from abroad, but if in Canada - fine. (I'm saying this now because you'll see the term thrown around - for your purposes, stick with outland - you'll know later if there's any sense in doing it differently [and there won't be, I think]). Important to remember: outland does NOT mean your spouse can't be in Canada at any point during the process; she'll just need a visa.
-The process is you will sponsor your spouse as principal applicant and her dependents - ie. her child. This is fine and routine, lots of mixed marriages here, not an issue. You were asked above about custody - important here that she can prove the father is deceased because that means the mother does not need permission from another parent.
-Look through the application packages. They will need passports, and your spouse will need a police clearance certificate, translated copies of things like your marriage certificate, death certificate of deceased spouse, birth certificates, etc. You will probably not need passport to apply but should get it anyway. They will need to do medicals and biometrics (after the application, IRCC will send instructions). [Ah correction: kid may not need biometrics depending on age - it's in the instructions.]
-As a citizen abroad, you will need to show 'evidence of intent to return to Canada.' Basically this means some evidence of plans and preparations to move to Canada. Don't stress too much about this now, but take it seriously - you will need to provide info during the process AND later.
-Your spouse and her child can apply for visitor visas. Hard for us to say if they will be granted.
-The process will seem intimidating with forms and requirements. You don't have to understand everything at once. Go through the packages, noting a) what you need (eg documents and dates etc), and b) what you didn't understand. Then iterate - go through again, look here for stuff you didn't understand, etc. These forums are helpful.
-Do the application package carefully - applicants have the packages returned as incomplete all the time, and you lose several months. (That said - do it carefully, and you shouldn't have trouble).
-On a personal note: don't delay. From personal experience, leaving a place that was going in the wrong direction, we should have started earlier. We should have left earlier.
You will be expected to be able to fund your own resettlement. The fact that you have lived your whole adult life in China may increase processing time for spousal sponsorship of your spouse and their dependent. Resettlement services are not typically for Canadian citizens and their families. Majority of their services are directed to asylum seekers and refugees.
One of the other issues that needs to be considered is schooling for the spouse’s child. Depending on the school district they’ll need a study permit and to pay international fees until they become a PR.
Good point - BUT I'd underline that a) get the visitor visa first for expediency; b) international fees also MIGHT not apply, and c) for clarity only, as a PR - once complete - the child will (of course) not have to pay international fees.
My point is depending on age/grade of schooling and timing the issue may not arise. It could also be better for the child - dpending on age, timing, language capability - to do some alternatives for a short period of time (language only, some Montessori-type programs, etc). I think in many cases private schools may be competitive with 'international rates' and if it's only a few months, well, more manageable perhaps.
But I'm not dictating at all, just saying I won't attempt to say what works because those very important other things (age, language, etc) aren't known to me.
Yes - if they don't have TRVs already, I would focus all efforts on getting spousal application submitted as quickly (and completey/accurately!) as possible. Other things like schooling - deal with later if/when there is time to deal with TRV.
I don't want to guess how long processing of the sponsorship app might take - but it is worth noting that would be VERY tight to get everything done for start of next school year. (But again, we don't know age of kid)
I would note though - if they already have US visas, their chances might be better than would seem on superficial level now.