INLAND SPONSOR HELP PLEASE

[SmokeyCat01]

HI everyone, I recently married my American wife (wedding was in America)and now I want her to come to Canada and begin the sponsorship process And we have a few questions. I live in Canada and up to now she has been coming to visit for up to 6 months of a given year.
1) We have booked her flight and filled out the ArriveCAN travel requirement. She will have all marriage documentation as proof including many pictures And wedding stuff. When she goes through customs how should she explain the situation? Should she tell them that we want to begin the sponsorship process? Should she say she is visiting? We don’t want to do or say anything wrong.
2) Does she have to change her last name before we apply for sponsorship? We were married last week (after a 4 year relationship) and we want to start the process right away and do not want to wait for all the name change stuff. IT is 2020 so I’m sure it is not necessary for a woman to change her last name but I wanted to ask.
3) With covid19 slowing down processing times of paper applications, is there an electronic way to apply?
4) She will purchase travel insurance before she leaves. During the application process will she have health care coverage? If not, what happens if she needs to see a doctor during the waiting period. Especially with the COVID delays. Would I be able to put her on my work benefits for dentist etc..
5) We plan on consulting with an immigration service specialis to help us with the application. Does anyone have any other important information for us?

 

[k.h.p.]

1. She's visiting family. If she's asked by the border officer, she can say that she may apply for sponsorship but will abide by the terms of her admission to Canada, including applying for extensions and/or leaving if it's necessary.

2. She doesn't ever have to change her name. In Canada, you also don't need to legally change your name after marriage to use your spouse's name, the marriage certificate counts as a name change.

3. No.

4. Depends on the province you're in. BC and AB have ways for sponsored spouses to be covered on provincial health care. ON doesn't, really. Make sure you have travel insurance or explore provincial requirements.

5. Make sure anyone you consult with is licensed and is good.

 

[SmokeyCat01]

1. She's visiting family. If she's asked by the border officer, she can say that she may apply for sponsorship but will abide by the terms of her admission to Canada, including applying for extensions and/or leaving if it's necessary.

2. She doesn't ever have to change her name. In Canada, you also don't need to legally change your name after marriage to use your spouse's name, the marriage certificate counts as a name change.

3. No.

4. Depends on the province you're in. BC and AB have ways for sponsored spouses to be covered on provincial health care. ON doesn't, really. Make sure you have travel insurance or explore provincial requirements.

5. Make sure anyone you consult with is licensed and is good.

Thanks for the info. I am living in Manitoba. Can she bring a few of our wedding gifts with her in her suitcase or would that be ill advised?

 

[scylla]

Thanks for the info. I am living in Manitoba. Can she bring a few of our wedding gifts with her in her suitcase or would that be ill advised?

Depends what they are. Most likely ill advised since she can only enter as a tourist at this time. She may be forced to pay tax / duties on them. Best to wait until she is a PR before she brings them to Canada.

 

[bryndog1950]

Info about Manitoba health care is available here. Looks like she could be covered if she can get an Open Work Permit that's valid for at least 12 months.
I believe that she can apply for the work permit at the same time as the PR application.
https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/mhsip/

To be eligible for Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living coverage you must:
Be a Canadian citizen or;
Have Immigration status as outlined in The Health Services Insurance Act:
Permanent Residents
Work Permit holders and their spouse/dependants (Permit validity periods apply)
Establish a permanent residence in Manitoba, and
Reside (physically) in Manitoba six months in a calendar year

Work Permit
If your Work Permit is valid for at least 12 months in Manitoba, you and any family members listed on the Work Permit are eligible for coverage as of the date it was issued. If your Work Permit is less than 12 months, you are not eligible until you receive an extension allowing you to stay in Manitoba for at least 12 months. You will then be covered as of the date of the extension.