Non-dependent child born to Canadian mother outside Canada

[edumou]

My wife is Canadian by birth. Her daughter, now age 20, was born in the US and never took her Canadian citizenship. My wife has since moved back to Canada. Her daughter now wants to live in Canada with her mother and has lived with us for about 3 months. We applied for sponsorship in late December 2014. Once we receive her letter of eligibility, will she be able to start working?

 

[sammystorm19]

Why doesn't your wife'a daughter get her papers showing she's Canadian? She's legally allowed too as her mother is a citizen by birth. There is no need to apply for sponsorship for her

 

[bigredmoose]

My wife is Canadian by birth. Her daughter, now age 20, was born in the US and never took her Canadian citizenship. My wife has since moved back to Canada. Her daughter now wants to live in Canada with her mother and has lived with us for about 3 months. We applied for sponsorship in late December 2014. Once we receive her letter of eligibility, will she be able to start working?

She is already a Canadian citizen and can not be sponsored; there's no need to. She should get a citizenship certificate, though.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/CIT0001ETOC.asp

 

[edumou]

You are both absolutely correct! I'm thrilled to have found this forum!

Since your replies yesterday, I've spoken to CIC. It turns out that the sponsorship application would have been rejected anyway (since she's already a de facto Canadian citizen). We've withdrawn the application (expecting a $550 refund, thank-you very much) and are now submitting an Application for a Citizenship Certificate. Because she's 1) unable to work without it (needs a SIN), and 2) in need of medical care (she's 6 months pregnant), she's eligible for URGENT processing.

Most notably, at the outset of this process I consulted 2 immigration lawyers (brief free consultations). Both of them confirmed that the only avenue was the Family Sponsorship route. They wouldn't look at it any further without a retainer. Very disappointing as it looks like it was just a money grab.

So, thank-you bigredmoose and sammystorm19! If ever you're in Ottawa, drinks are on me!

I'll follow this up with the outcome, hopefully in a matter of weeks, not months.

 

[sammystorm19]

Glad I was able to help out!!! Didn't want you to go through a process that you didn't need too

Don't listen to lawyers....most of then give out the in correct info anyways. You most likely can find your answers on here.

 

[bigredmoose]

You're very welcome! I'm stunned 2 different lawyers gave you that advice.

She's lucky that she's been in the province already for three months. This means she has satisfied the residency requirement for OHIP. The instant she gets that citizenship certificate, head to the nearest Service Ontario location. She'll be able to leave with a temporary card, and have access free health care that day.

 

[Panamai]

Ah, yes, I was just about to mention the 3 month wait for OHIP, but it looks like she's covered since it's been 3 months already. I was worried for a second!

 

[bigredmoose]

Ah, yes, I was just about to mention the 3 month wait for OHIP, but it looks like she's covered since it's been 3 months already. I was worried for a second!

Yeah, I panicked there too. 6 months pregnant + 3 months wait = cutting it REALLY close! The hospital I work at would have charged about $1,200 a day and that does not include the doctor's fees.

 

[taffy7]

In some provinces you don't have to wait 3 months . Once you are in the country and have applied for your sin and health card there is no wait. For Pr applicants this also applies.

 

[Panamai]

In some provinces you don't have to wait 3 months . Once you are in the country and have applied for your sin and health card there is no wait. For Pr applicants this also applies.

I've noticed that. Why can't they have the same rules for all the provinces? I live in Ontario, which seems to have the strictest rules. How is that even fair?

 

[OhCanadiana]

My wife is Canadian by birth. Her daughter, now age 20, was born in the US and never took her Canadian citizenship. My wife has since moved back to Canada. Her daughter now wants to live in Canada with her mother and has lived with us for about 3 months. We applied for sponsorship in late December 2014. Once we receive her letter of eligibility, will she be able to start working?

You are both absolutely correct! I'm thrilled to have found this forum!

Since your replies yesterday, I've spoken to CIC. It turns out that the sponsorship application would have been rejected anyway (since she's already a de facto Canadian citizen). We've withdrawn the application (expecting a $550 refund, thank-you very much) and are now submitting an Application for a Citizenship Certificate. Because she's 1) unable to work without it (needs a SIN), and 2) in need of medical care (she's 6 months pregnant), she's eligible for URGENT processing.
...

Hi edumou

Good to hear it's working out and hope you get the certificate back very soon.

Keep all receipts for medical care. OHIP should reimburse you for eligible expenses incurred after she was eligible (after living in Ontario for 3 months, assuming she will stay in Ontario at least 153 days in the first 18 - see http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/ohip/).

Also, consider explaining the situation to her medical providers; I've heard of cases where they offer negotiated rates to people awaiting sponsorship so they may be willing to do that for you now too which would reduce the out-of-pocket payments for now.