married, process for my wife to gain Permanent Residence?

[asics5]

Hello all,

I am a Canadian Citizen, born in Canada). My Brazilian wife are currently living in Brazil, and are planning to move to Canada. However, we are wondering if we can begin her process to become a permanent resident of Canada, while we are still living in Brazil. Does anyone have experience or knowledge of this, if it is possible? If so, what are we looking at in terms of process and length of the process?

 

[scylla]

Start by reading the first post here:

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

 

[Leon]

You can start sponsorship of her while still living in Brazil but you would have to prove that you plan to move to Canada when she gets her PR.

 

[asics5]

Hi there, thanks for your help. I read through the information at the link, and I also called immigration Canada. It appears that we can indeed apply for her residence visa while we are still in Brazil, we just need to fill out a declaration of intention to move to Canada once her visa comes through.

 

[asics5]

Oh I did have another question. Once my wife gets her PR visa, is she good for life? What are the requirements for her at that stage? What if for example we were to get divorced, or if she decides to be outside of Canada for an extended period, etc?

 

[Leon]

Oh I did have another question. Once my wife gets her PR visa, is she good for life? What are the requirements for her at that stage? What if for example we were to get divorced, or if she decides to be outside of Canada for an extended period, etc?

She needs to get her PR visa and in order to activate her PR status, she must land in Canada as a PR. PR's normally have to fulfill a residency obligation of 730 days (2 years) in Canada in any 5 year period but time spent outside Canada with a Canadian spouse also counts. Therefore, if you get divorced and she leaves Canada, she will eventually lose her PR again.