So now I am planning on coming to Canada (Manitoba) next month and we plan on getting married in June/July and then applying for spousal. I am applying for a multiple entry visa this week.
When is the best time to apply for spousal sponsorship after we get married? Has anyone gotten married in Canada or more specifically Manitoba? I just wanted to know how long to wait to get married after I arrive and how long to wait to apply after we get married?
Up to you how long you wait to get married, you can apply as soon as you are married and have your marriage certificates to send into CIC. It is worth having all the information you need and send it all together at the same time as if they request more information can extend your wait time. You can apply outland and stay in Canada for a while on a visa, but not sure how long they issue the visas for and I'm not sure if you would have trouble extending it.
I most definitely want to send an application for an Open Work Permit along with my PR application.
Do I just send it along with that in the same package? Also how much extra will that be? Also I will sign up for the ECAS tracker (how much is that by the way?)
Yes send in OWP with PR application, I did and didn't have to wait an extra 30 days or so after getting AIP.
Concerning sending them proof, Up until now we have a crapload of Facebook messages we sent each other, chat logs, pictures we took together, we have letters we wrote by hand, we have my flight tickets showing that I went to visit him and actually returned here, bus tickets, I have texts on my phone still, he has his phone bills. We skype and video call each other every day so I don't know how we'll be able to prove that.
Is there anything else I will need to provide? Letters from friends and family perhaps?
Send in as much proof as you can- maybe try printing off or getting CIC to post you the forms for appling for PR so you can read the questions they ask. It does ask for letters from friends and family. You can print off your skype messages and I think also when the calls were made. We had one application that we kept stapled together as a reference and filled in the other one. It takes TIME so start collecting and gathering everything now.
Okay, so when applying for the application, I am going to get my local police clearance certificate this week. When should I go get my police clearance in Canada? I have also read some posts about a FBI clearance which I am confused about (please clarify this for me) . I also know they will want to know what I've been up to for the last 10 years. I'm 21 right now and I've been in school since 10 years back when I was 11 lol then 6 years later I completed high school. Ater that, I have been studying at a university up until now. I have also worked part-time here and there and have been living with my parents since 10 years back (the same address).
You only need police checks for any country YOU HAVE LIVED IN for more than 6 months. So if you have lived in the US then you would get an FBI clearance but only then. You need to have every day accounted for re work and living both different sections on the application. Only apply for police checks close to when you are sending in application as they only last for 3 months and can't be expired before you send them. Take into account how long the police checks take as well. Have a look on http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/security/index.asp as they yhave different rules for different countries and how you go about getting the right police check done. Here is the info for SA http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/security/police-cert/africa/south-africa.asp
Also how long does getting medicals take? When is the best time to do it if we get married in June and want to apply in I don't know, maybe July?
Do the medical just before you send in the application, you will need to send in a copy of the receipts and the Dr will send the results of the medical to CIC you don'y get them, it lasts for one year but they can extend it if there are no issues for another year as mine has been. I did mine in Sep 09 and have not been asked to redo them...yet
INTERVIEWS!
If this happens where are they held? And what on earth do they ask? It sounds so scary.
The interview if requested would happen at your local CIC office and they may ask both of you to atten but then speak to you separately. There is a post somewhere with questions they may ask. It is a long list!
Is there ANYTHING I am missing?
Best to get the forms and read through them, there is a lot to fill in and the questions will come from that. Send as much proof as you can and fill in everything. Keep an exact copy of what you send in as well, can be helpful if they dispute something or if they loose the first package! When you post in the package get it tracked as it may get lost. Go to the immigration website grap a cup of coffe and just have a read and see where the links take you. Best to know as much as you can before you send in the application. I know we were anxious about it and hoping we had everything right. Took a while to compile and get eveything together.
It saddens a person thinking of the long wait because it's a dreadful thought thinking about how my fiancé-soon to be husband will have to work alone and everything. I really wish there was a way I could help. However, the wait is definitely worth it.
Thank you for your time and please get back to me as soon as you can.
Sincerely,
toxicair