Moving to Canada from Japan with Japanese Wife - Best Options?

[MrPatton]

OP, agree to ignore Regina and listen to Rob_TO.

I am sponsoring my Japanese partner and we currently live in Japan. I provided a letter from my parents in Canada stating we would stay with them until we found our own place. This was extremely important information to prove my intent to return to Canada. Also just to help back up our relationship and prove where we plan on living in Canada.

Thanks, great to hear from someone else in my situation. My parents will write such a letter so quickly it will vanish in a puff of smoke, so I'll ask them to send one.

Regina - I don't think my financial situation is that bad, really. I retired from my previous line of work (teaching) and started to learn some things about farming while living on-premises. My intent upon returning home is to immediately work for a very large industrial farm near where my parents live. My wife will join once allowed, or do some other work. The farm is desperate for workers, so that will not be an issue. I also have 14 grand saved, which will last a long while given that accommodations are free. My parents are retired and have simply invited us to join their household because they want us around. We have plans to do some hobby farming together on the property later. It is certainly not a "mommy and daddy are looking after me" arrangement. If anything, I'll be looking after them soon enough.

Great advice from everyone else. This is my current plan after reading - please critique and evaluate:

1. Complete the package and send it to Canada to begin the process.
2. Fly to Canada with my wife. Explain she is a tourist and will follow the rules while waiting for the immigration process and that my savings and pending work will support her. (return ticket advisable to show?)
3. Settle down back in Canada, start working, wait out the application process.

Other question - I've never been in a position to move countries with substantial funds, having come to Japan with not so much. What is the best way to bring that money to Canada? Flying with all of it in cash is a silly idea for many reasons. I have no bank account in Canada at present. I use the post office bank in Japan, and online things like Paypal don't recognize it as a "real" bank. Can I use a money order or something like that, then open a bank account in Canada and deposit it?

Thanks again!

 

[canadianwoman]

She should have a return ticket. For one thing, airlines can refuse to let someone board with a one-way ticket when the person does not have some kind of residence visa. She also has to be very clear at the border that she is a visitor - she is not moving to Canada now, she is just visiting.

 

[CDNPR2014]

if you intend to move back to canada after your application is submitted and before she is approved, i would recommend mentioning this in your application. they tend to scrutinize applications more and want more details about intentions to return when the sponsor is out of the country. if you say, i am moving back next month and will be staying with my parents to get on my feet, here is the proof of my research and letters of support, then they probably won't question your intentions to move back as much. i wouldn't recommend mentioning your wife's plan to visit and extend her stay. i am not sure if that would trigger any suspicion, so i would think its safer to leave that part out. basically they want to see you are getting everything set up for your new life (either through research from abroad or actually doing it in canada) and she will move immediately upon approval.

ps... i also agree to follow rob's advise. there is absolutely nothing wrong with having your parents/family help you get back on your feet and cic won't reject you because of this.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

1. Complete the package and send it to Canada to begin the process.
2. Fly to Canada with my wife. Explain she is a tourist and will follow the rules while waiting for the immigration process and that my savings and pending work will support her. (return ticket advisable to show?)
3. Settle down back in Canada, start working, wait out the application process.

Other question - I've never been in a position to move countries with substantial funds, having come to Japan with not so much. What is the best way to bring that money to Canada? Flying with all of it in cash is a silly idea for many reasons. I have no bank account in Canada at present. I use the post office bank in Japan, and online things like Paypal don't recognize it as a "real" bank. Can I use a money order or something like that, then open a bank account in Canada and deposit it?

Your plan looks good. You can book a separate fully refundable ticket for her, which you can then cancel once she's here.

Have a look at online money transfer companies, like Tranzfers and Forex.

i wouldn't recommend mentioning your wife's plan to visit and extend her stay. i am not sure if that would trigger any suspicion, so i would think its safer to leave that part out. basically they want to see you are getting everything set up for your new life (either through research from abroad or actually doing it in canada) and she will move immediately upon approval.

There is no issue stating that the wife would be entering as a visitor during the PR process. This will not trigger any suspicion. It is an extremely common scenario.

 

[CDNPR2014]

There is no issue stating that the wife would be entering as a visitor during the PR process. This will not trigger any suspicion. It is an extremely common scenario.

yeah, i know cic generally doesn't have issue with it, but wasn't 100% sure so that's why i suggested it with caution.

 

[Aguaymanto]

Other question - I've never been in a position to move countries with substantial funds, having come to Japan with not so much. What is the best way to bring that money to Canada? Flying with all of it in cash is a silly idea for many reasons. I have no bank account in Canada at present. I use the post office bank in Japan, and online things like Paypal don't recognize it as a "real" bank. Can I use a money order or something like that, then open a bank account in Canada and deposit it?

Thanks again!

I'm also in a similar situation with regards to bringing in money, if you find a good way let me know!