Options for my family

[Hubcap]

I'm a Canadian citizen currently in the United States. My work permit renewal was denied, and so I'm being deported to Canada. I have a wife and child who are both US citizens. We don't plan to stay in Canada for more than 18 months, but want to be together.

I tried calling the closest visa office, but they no longer accept phone calls.

Can my wife and child come into Canada without permanent residency? She does not need a work permit, as she's a stay at home mother.

My wife and child will also be visiting family members in the US frequently.

What are our options?

 

[Leon]

You can bring them with you on a visitor status and apply to sponsor them for PR. As visitors, they would not be covered by health care. Better if you sponsor them. Just pick the outland application, that is to say that they are residing in the US but are visiting you. That way they can still travel back and forth while the application is pending. If you pick an application saying they are living in Canada, it takes longer and they can't travel. Even if you leave Canada later, your wife and child will not lose their PR due to residency requirements as long as they are with you.

 

[Hubcap]

You can bring them with you on a visitor status and apply to sponsor them for PR.  As visitors, they would not be covered by health care.  Better if you sponsor them.  Just pick the outland application, that is to say that they are residing in the US but are visiting you.  That way they can still travel back and forth while the application is pending.  If you pick an application saying they are living in Canada, it takes longer and they can't travel.  Even if you leave Canada later, your wife and child will not lose their PR due to residency requirements as long as they are with you.

How long would it take for their health care to kick in?

I'm also confused as to the amount of time it takes for them to be approved.  One site said it was approximately 38 days, and another said that it was 12 months.  (I need to be out of the country by the end of the month)

(Edit) Also, is my son considered a Canadian citizen (because I am), or does he need to go through the same process as my wife in terms of PR?

 

[Leon]

You need to apply for proof of citizenship for your son. It might be enough to get him covered by healthcare to show his and your birth certificate at the health care office. Getting a citizenship card takes 10 months or something. When you sponsor your wife, the sponsorship part of the application takes around 30 days, the rest of the application processed in Buffalo takes around 5 months. Maybe less if you are lucky. Until then, she would not be covered by health care since she would just be considered a visitor in Canada.

For yourself and for your son if you can get away with just showing both your birth certificates to get him covered, you will in most provinces have to wait 3 months for health care to kick in. In some provinces like in AB, you can get it same day if you are moving from another country.