Busky101 said:
I AM SO LOST, help would be very appreciated
I am a Canadian Citizen, I will be moving to Colombia this August to stay with my spouse he is (Colombian). I plan to stay only un till the application process is over and I can provide evidence that I will return because I plan to study in Canada. Any whoo.. because I am new at this
How can you sponsor from a different country?
Where do you send the papers?
Do I need an address in Canada or can the responses somehow be sent here?
How do I provide an income? or show that we do not need help from the Canadian govt
Will the process be longer?
and what would HELP?
Any other info will be a great help! if you had an experience similar please post outcomes
Hi there
Welcome!
Take a look at the application documents you'll each need to complete at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/fc.asp . I would suggest you download them, print them out (at least the applications and checklists if you prefer to read the instructions online) and pour yourself a cup of tea/coffee/lemonade/your beverage of choice and go through them filling in what you know and keeping track of the info you need to get on a notepad.
CIC's instructions walk you through each question one by one and you can pop in here with any questions or call CIC (since it sounds like you are still in Canada you can call them at 1-888-242‑2100 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., your local time except statutory holidays.
In addition to the application, you'll need to pull together some documents that can have some lead time including evidence of your relationship (photos, wedding photos, letters, e-mails, call records, etc), he'll need to get a medical exam (list of approved physicians at http://www.cic.gc.ca/dmp-md/medicalinfo.aspx?CountryID=2086&CountryName=Colombia - you may want to call a few Panel Physicians and see how quickly they'll see him and compare prices; if he's in Canada you can also get it done there), and background checks for any country he's lived in for more than 6 months since he was 18 years old (16 in some cases). For the background checks, you can find instructions off of http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/security/police-cert/index.asp. Note that for Colombia, he should not process it until he gets instructions for the visa office while his application is under review (ignore all info saying you need to submit background checks for Colombia with the application since it is one of the exceptions where you wait to do it until your application is in process* - however DO submit the police clearance certificates for any other relevant countries). Note that CIC must receive any background checks you'll submit with your application within 3 months of the date on the document and your medical will expire one year after it is issued so plan carefully.
You can get a sense of how long it will take to process his application at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/perm-fc.asp. Step 1 is currently taking 90 days from when your application is received in Mississauga, ON and then for Colombia Step 2 is completed for 80% of applicants in about 16 months. Where you are doesn't affect the timing as long as you have sufficient proof of your intent to return to Canada.
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* per instructions for Colombia at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/security/police-cert/central-south-amer/colombia.asp
"Do I need to provide a police certificate when applying for permanent residence?
Yes, you need to provide a background verifications certificate. However, do not apply for the background verifications certificate before obtaining a file number from the visa office."
