I'm Canadian and a US citizen, my husband wants to move to Canada

[blueroseduo]

Thanks it is very similar here in America. I came to the US in the early 80s and worked on a green card. After finally getting the green card, you have to wait 5 years to become an American citizen. So I guess a Permanent Resident is what I would be applying for him first? After that is granted, he then waits to apply for citizenship? It's weird how there is so much confusion about this. I would think that he can't work there being a "Permanent Resident"? He would have to wait to be a citizen?

But you are saying that he could wait here until it's approved? I just can't believe that I called Canada CA and the told me that even though I'm Canadian my husband doesn't get any special privilege. They told me twice that he still has to live in Canada for 3 years then apply just like everyone else..confusing.

 

[Bs65]

Thanks it is very similar here in America. I came to the US in the early 80s and worked on a green card. After finally getting the green card, you have to wait 5 years to become an American citizen. So I guess a Permanent Resident is what I would be applying for him first? After that is granted, he then waits to apply for citizenship? It's weird how there is so much confusion about this. I would think that he can't work there being a "Permanent Resident"? He would have to wait to be a citizen?

But you are saying that he could wait here until it's approved? I just can't believe that I called Canada CA and the told me that even though I'm Canadian my husband doesn't get any special privilege. They told me twice that he still has to live in Canada for 3 years then apply just like everyone else..confusing.

So you apply to sponsor your spouse for permanent residence and once that comes through you can move to Canada and your spouse can start working immediately having completed the immigration process at the border and applied for a Social Insurance Number (SIN).



https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship/spouse-partner-children.html

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

Having taken up PR in Canada your spouse to apply for citizenship would then need to be in Canada as a PR physically for 3 years in the 5 years preceeding an application for citizenship.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship.html

As for any special priviledge having you as a citizen the only priviledge is the fact you can sponsor him but the application doesnt get any priority as such as will be handled same as any other.

Based on your post seems the call center agent has maybe misunderstood you and thought you were enquiring about a citizenship application for your spouse for which you being a citizen has zero impact. Plus as above he would have to be in Canada for 3 years minimum as a PR to apply for citizenship which your spouse has to qualify for on his own as opposed to a PR application for which he needs you as a sponsor.

 

[blueroseduo]

So you apply to sponsor your spouse for permanent residence and once that comes through you can move to Canada and your spouse can start working immediately having completed the immigration process at the border and applied for a Social Insurance Number (SIN).



https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship/spouse-partner-children.html

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

Having taken up PR in Canada your spouse to apply for citizenship would then need to be in Canada as a PR physically for 3 years in the 5 years preceeding an application for citizenship.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship.html

As for any special priviledge having you as a citizen the only priviledge is the fact you can sponsor him but the application doesnt get any priority as such as will be handled same as any other.

Based on your post seems the call center agent has maybe misunderstood you and thought you were enquiring about a citizenship application for your spouse for which you being a citizen has zero impact. Plus as above he would have to be in Canada for 3 years minimum as a PR to apply for citizenship which your spouse has to qualify for on his own as opposed to a PR application for which he needs you as a sponsor.

Yes, I think the person I called at immigration might have been thinking that I just wanted to inquire about his citizenship in Canada, but i didn't know he could wait here until I sponsor him for a Permanent Resident. I did NOT know he could work once he's a permanent resident. My sister is in Canada and she says you can't work unless you're a citizen. So someone is wrong.

Also if he gets his PR, and then goes to Canada to wait the 3 years what about health care? He can't get that until he's a citizen right?
Thanks for ALL your responses.
Rosa

 

[blueroseduo]

Yes, I think the person I called at immigration might have been thinking that I just wanted to inquire about his citizenship in Canada, but i didn't know he could wait here until I sponsor him for a Permanent Resident. I did NOT know he could work once he's a permanent resident. My sister is in Canada and she says you can't work unless you're a citizen. So someone is wrong.

Also if he gets his PR, and then goes to Canada to wait the 3 years what about health care? He can't get that until he's a citizen right?
Thanks for ALL your responses.
Rosa

Good to know, so he can go to Canada once the PR has been approved and he can work there right away and wait the 3 years for citizenship application? But he can't get health insurance as a Permanent Resident correct? Doesn't he have to be a Canadian citizen? Thanks
Rosa

 

[scylla]

Yes, I think the person I called at immigration might have been thinking that I just wanted to inquire about his citizenship in Canada, but i didn't know he could wait here until I sponsor him for a Permanent Resident. I did NOT know he could work once he's a permanent resident. My sister is in Canada and she says you can't work unless you're a citizen. So someone is wrong.

Also if he gets his PR, and then goes to Canada to wait the 3 years what about health care? He can't get that until he's a citizen right?
Thanks for ALL your responses.
Rosa

Don't listen to your sister. She has no idea what she is talking about.

Health care is available once he is a PR.

 

[blueroseduo]

Don't listen to your sister. She has no idea what she is talking about.

Health care is available once he is a PR.

Wow thank you!

 

[YVR123]

Wow thank you!

But in BC (each provience is a bit different), you may not qualify for health coverage if you or he lives less than 6 months in a calendar year. So your 6 months BC, 6 months CA plan may need a little twist. (you need more than 6 months in BC)

Tho the wordings about up to 7 month's vacation outside is confusing. You should check with MSP.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/bc-residents/eligibility-and-enrolment/are-you-eligible#residents

 

[canuck78]

When you say "pretty strong Proof" what do you mean? I'm going to retire there in a few years but I don't think I'm buying a home yet. I would like to live there for 6 months a year and then 6 months a year in California where my home is. So since I have dual citizenship, I want my husband to as well. Thanks

If you only want to move in a few years I would only apply when you know you will want to move in about a year. Strong proof like purchasing a home, giving notice at your job in the US, get moving quotes, etc.

 

[blueroseduo]

Thank you all for the great advice! How do you all know so much? One more question, because of the chaos here in America, I have a neighbor that is American and wants to know if I can sponsor her because I'm Canadian. Can I, as a Canadian sponsor other people or just my husband? Thanks in advance.

 

[canuck78]

Thank you all for the great advice! How do you all know so much? One more question, because of the chaos here in America, I have a neighbor that is American and wants to know if I can sponsor her because I'm Canadian. Can I, as a Canadian sponsor other people or just my husband? Thanks in advance.

No you can’t sponsor random people. They must qualify on their own.

 

[scylla]

Thank you all for the great advice! How do you all know so much? One more question, because of the chaos here in America, I have a neighbor that is American and wants to know if I can sponsor her because I'm Canadian. Can I, as a Canadian sponsor other people or just my husband? Thanks in advance.

You can only sponsor your husband.

If your neighbour wants to immigrate, she will need to qualify on her own through an econimic immigration program like Express Entry based on her level of education, age, years of skilled work experience, language test scores, funds available to settle herself in Canada and other factors.

 

[Mexontario]

you won’t live in Canada when the persons you want to sponsor become permanent residents

You probably be thinking about this one well. This statement means that you can sponsor your spouse as long as you are willing to move back along with your spouse for Residency. Your spouse cannot land alone and you have to accompany while he/she lands for permanent residency. Like any pther country, Canada doesn't let some one sponsor for citizenship directly. Your Spouse need to live in Canada as a PR for 3 years and apply for Canadian citizenship once the requirements are fulfilled as per the Citizenship act..

 

[Mexontario]

You have 2 choices:

1. Since your spouse is a US citizen, he/she can enter along with you visa free and then you would submit a sponsorship application inland for your Spouse's PR.

2. Apply for PR from outside Canada and land together. Since its a sponsorship and you are not living currently in Canada, you both need to move together, to prove that you are going to live with your spouse in Canada.