Both myself and my spouse who is a Canadian are currently living in the UK and applying for him to sponsor me. We're hoping to move back to Canada if we are successful. We are confused and can't quite find a straight answer for our main question which is:
How long, after being granted sponsorship (should that happen) do you have before you have to 'land' in Canada? Is it specific to each case or is it roughly the same for everyone?
Also, what sort of processing times have people experienced?
You will have until the expiry date shown on the Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) that is issued once your spousal sponsorship application has been successful. That date in turn is USUALLY (but not always) one year from the date of your medical exam.
So once you submit your application papers, work on it taking 10 - 12 months from the date your package is initially received to the date your application should be approved. The medical for your PA is usually requested some 2 - 3 months after receipt of your application. So your CoPR will PROBABLY have an expiry date that will allow you 2 - 4 months of leeway to at least 'land to declare PR' from the date you get it in your hands to the date you must land.
You can go to Canada earlier (under 'dual intent') once your application has been sent in, it is just that your PA would have visitor status and would not be allowed to work until approval and landing.
Alternatively, you can do a 'soft landing' trip to Canada purely to activate your CoPR before it expires, the turn around and come back to the UK to finally sell up, the 'land as settler' at a later date (say a few months later).
