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Maintaining residences in multiple countries. (US and Canada.)

setec-astronomy

Star Member
Apr 11, 2016
54
2
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Ottawa
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App. Filed.......
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AOR Received.
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File Transfer...
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Hello,

I am aware that the CIC as part of trying to limit PR grants to people who have no intent to actually permanently reside in Canada will reject applications from people who already maintain a residence in multiple countries. That is, if you already live in France and Russia, they're unconvinced that you're going to really reside in Canada, and not just add Canada to the rotation. That makes sense to me in general.

I have applied to sponsor my spouse, and we currently live together in the United States (and have been together for ten years.) We live in a border state and have talked about renting an apartment in Canada since we frequently cross the border and are sick of staying in hotels, and it would provide a useful place for my spouse to land after PR, and to start moving some of our affairs up to Canada in general. Has anyone had a similar arrangement and run afoul (or not) of the rule about maintaining residences in multiple countries? I know that common sense would say that this is different, and it's a lot like the common situation of the sponsor residing in Canada and their spouse residing abroad. But in our case both of us would currently be residing primarily in the States, and maintaining an additional residence in another country.

I can imagine that, if it came up (our application is already in) it would also be a useful indicator of intent to reside in Canada, but I've/we've so far been nervous about running afoul of that rule. I'm not terribly concerned, I should note, about CBSA having issues with my spouse entering Canada in this case. We both have NEXUS cards, we cross the border often, and although he's had a few strange encounters with CBSA, we tend to have a lot more trouble with CBP (and we're both US citizens.)

I'm aware I might be overthinking this, but over the years I've come to really respect and appreciate the collective wisdom and experiences in these forums, and it's been gnawing at me enough that it seemed worth asking. Thanks in advance to anyone with thoughts or experiences to share! (I'd prefer to hear from people with similar experiences rather than speculation, though; I'm very good at speculating myself :D)
 

scylla

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Jun 8, 2010
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There won't be an issues since you're both USCs. You can live wherever you want and still keep your US citizenship. Your spouse will be able to keep PR status while outside of Canada since they are living with you (assuming you are a Canadian citizen).
 

setec-astronomy

Star Member
Apr 11, 2016
54
2
Category........
Visa Office......
Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
18-03-2016
AOR Received.
14-04-2016 (AOR1)
File Transfer...
26-04-2016 (AOR2)
Med's Done....
11-03-2016 (Upfront)
VISA ISSUED...
28-04-2016
scylla said:
There won't be an issues since you're both USCs. You can live wherever you want and still keep your US citizenship. Your spouse will be able to keep PR status while outside of Canada since they are living with you (assuming you are a Canadian citizen).
Hi scylla, thanks for your reply. I'm not concerned about that, but appreciate the reminder. I'm only concerned with whether CIC will view maintaining an additional residence in Canada as well as our primary residence in the US as an indication that we don't actually intend to reside in Canada permanently if PR is granted. Sorry for being unclear!
 

ifeedly

Hero Member
Oct 23, 2015
208
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Intent to reside is an Intent. If you are a Canadian Citizen the fact you have been living with her is a proof that strengthens your sponsorship application.
A Canadian citizen,when Sponsoring a foreign national must declare the intent that if the Sponsorship is approved and PR granted to the Foreign national, they will be coming back to stay in Canada.
If you buy a house in Canada and maintain primary residence in US, that will still be viewed as having primary residence outside Canada.
Unless of course you want investment property in Canada.