I'm married to an Albertan and Would like to move in with her.

[IceEye]

Hello, I'm currently married to a Canadian citizen who lives in Alberta. We got married last month when I was visiting but I unfortunately had to return to Florida for work. We've decided that I would move in with her late this month. I'm aware that when I'm there we will have to begin sponsorship paperwork, and that after a couple years I should apply for a PR card, however I've been around cic.gc.ca a hundred times and I still have no idea what I need to do to be legally allowed to stay In Canada long enough to begin that paperwork. Do I really need to sponsored entirely from outside of Canada before I can even be with her? How do you get a PR card if you need to be in Canada 2 years? How do you stay there those first 2 years?

I'm probably just overly confused about the whole thing, so I'll just simplify my question: If I where to leave August 31st to go be with my wife, what do I need to have in order to to stay? At least long enough to get all the paperwork to stay permanently?

 

[scylla]

Yes - you're a bit off track. Your spouse would sponsor you for PR (you would not be applying for a PR card). Start by reading the very first post in this thread:

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/spousal-sponsorship-t46995.0.html

Note that as an American you should apply using the outland method - it's very fast for Americans. Do not apply inland.

 

[IceEye]

Yes - you're a bit off track. Your spouse would sponsor you for PR (you would not be applying for a PR card). Start by reading the very first post in this thread:


Note that as an American you should apply using the outland method - it's very fast for Americans. Do not apply inland.

Okay thank you a lot for this, I read the page and If I understand correctly this means I should apply Outland for sponsorship. Would applying Outland still allow me to stay with my wife for a few months in Canada? Or would I be obligated to stay in the US for the length of my application?

Also is the Outland Application different from the "Application to Sponsor a Member of the Family Class" on cic gc ca? Id post a link if I could.
Thank you so much for the help.

 

[tom_from_sk]

You can definitely be visiting in Canada for up to 6 months at a time... and possibly longer with a "Visitor Record"

My wife is American and we got married just over a year ago. She visited me for about 9 months, with various trips out of Canada, during that time with no problem. We were very upfront and honest with Immigration Canada and the Border guards. After the 9 or so months she became a permanent resident.

Search through and read these forums... they were so helpful in aiding us put together a proper application. I am not an expert, but there are a few on here that can answer complicated questions. Dig around and spend some time... that will answer 95% of your questions and then go ahead and ask the other 5% when you get stumped.

Also, as a visitor to Alberta, you will be able to get a health card (health care) from the day you enter Canada, but you need to have documentation of when you entered on your passport (stamp) or a visitor record. Alberta is very generous in this regard. Send a PM if you have more questions.

Good luck


Good luck!

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Okay thank you a lot for this, I read the page and If I understand correctly this means I should apply Outland for sponsorship. Would applying Outland still allow me to stay with my wife for a few months in Canada? Or would I be obligated to stay in the US for the length of my application?

Also is the Outland Application different from the "Application to Sponsor a Member of the Family Class" on cic gc ca? Id post a link if I could.
Thank you so much for the help.

That is the correct app.

Here is the link just in case http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/fc.asp

 

[kyatto]

I would definitely recommend applying outland as opposed to inland. Someone with inland experience can correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to take a heck of a lot longer to process. We applied outland in March and received our approval today, just waiting on landing papers. My husband's coming from the US to Alberta.

Takes some patience, but it's worth it.

 

[IceEye]

Thank you everyone for the replies! They've been extremely helpful.