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Outland Sponsorship Concerns- unique situation!

Stawkings

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May 3, 2016
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Hi! This forum is a fantastic resource and it's amazing to have all this input from around the world! Your experiences are a great help to me and my fiance.

However, I have a few concerns that are difficult to find answers for, because my situation is somewhat unusual! I'm a Canadian citizen, born and bred, who went to China for a few years to teach English. While there, I met and fell in love with a woman from the US. After leaving China, we decided to settle down in her home state of Florida, since it seemed at the time like the immigration process would be simpler. However, having been here now for a few months, we've basically decided it's miserable here and want to move to Canada.

Now, my question is this: can we apply for outland sponsorship while we're both here, then move to Canada in a few months, even if the visa isn't processed yet? Or does the whole thing have to be submitted and approved while we're at one address? I'm still in the US on a visitor visa, and our plan as of now is to finish getting married, apply for outland sponsorship, save as much money as we can, then move to Canada before my visa expires. Is that viable?

Another question while I have you fine folks... My wife has a son who is supposed to be in highschool. While in China, he did home-schooling and online work, but he wants to go to a real high-school. How does this process work? I know he can come to Canada as a dependent of my wife, but how do we get him into a school? I imagine the visa would have to be finished before any of that could start, correct? And while I'm on the subject, does he need to be filed for separately or does he go on the same forms?

EDIT: One more question since this is also impossible to discern from the Canada Immigration webpage, when would my wife be able to work within Canada? If we apply inland, the internet tells me it would take 16 months for a work permit. That seems crazy to me! Is there a better alternative?

Sorry if I asked any stupid questions, this sort of thing is hard to get information on from the government!
 

Ponga

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Oct 22, 2013
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Ok...This is NOT a unique situation at all. :)


Welcome to your new favourite website (sad, but true).


1. Yes. As soon as you are married, submit the Outland sponsorship application `package'. Since she is a U.S. citizen, it's possible that she could complete the entire process in ~6 months (based on the current processing times for Americans). If she has not been approved by the time you need to move back to Canada, she can accompany you as a `visitor';), because until she has her PR, she cannot legally `live' in Canada.

2. Her son needs to be included in the sponsorship package. Whether or not he can attend a school in Canada prior to having PR, seems to vary greatly on the province that you will live in. I'll defer to others to elaborate.

3. An Inland applicant usually receives the OWP in ~4 months after the Inland application and OWP are received by CIC, but do NOT apply Inland. It's a terrible option for an American, since it takes substantially longer to complete the process.

Good luck!
 

Stawkings

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May 3, 2016
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Thanks for your quick response :) You make it all sound so simple! Why can't the government's website be so helpful?

So I guess my only further question is the actual mechanics of applying. Do I just go on the website, print the forms, fill them and mail them to Mississauga? Does the money (1040 Canadian, correct?) need to be paid at the time of application or just before issuance?
 

Ponga

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Oct 22, 2013
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The total will be a bit more than that; you need to also include the fee for her son. I don't recall what that amount is, but it may be $150. You'll need to check the CIC website to find out.

She should have her fingerprints taken and sent to the FBI ASAP, because her Identity History Summary Report letter that CIC will require, is currently taking ~ 12 weeks to receive. If you have the application package ready to send, but she has not received her FBI letter, just include a note indicating that you are waiting for it to arrive. Fortunately, CIC is aware of this delay. It would be best if you can include a copy of mailing the request to the FBI (proof that she has requested it). She will also need a PCC letter from China, if she was living there for more than 6 months.

She and her son will also need to have an immigration medial. This can be done in the U.S., or in Canada, but it must be performed by one of the Panel physicians listed on CIC's website.

The RPRF ($490 of that $1040 [+ the dependent's fee] fee that you have) can be deferred, but many people feel that this causes additional delays.
 

Amra

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Stawkings said:
Does the money (1040 Canadian, correct?) need to be paid at the time of application or just before issuance?
$1040 CAD would be the amount for sponsor ($75) and the principal applicant ($475 + $490). because are including your wife's son on the application, you must pay an additional $150 for the dependent. You don't need to pay the ROPR for the dependent.

The money should be paid at the time you send the application (you have to attach a proof that payment has been made). If money are a problem, you can leave the $490 (ROPR) towards the end of the process. They will send you a request before they finalize the application. But the rest must be pay upfront.
 

jomz

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Stawkings said:
Thanks for your quick response :) You make it all sound so simple! Why can't the government's website be so helpful?

So I guess my only further question is the actual mechanics of applying. Do I just go on the website, print the forms, fill them and mail them to Mississauga? Does the money (1040 Canadian, correct?) need to be paid at the time of application or just before issuance?
Also she will need to get Police certificate from China if she lived there for more than 6 months. There is another member on the forum that recently tried to get a police certificate from China and he can help guide you as I read it can be challenging process.
 

Stawkings

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May 3, 2016
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jomz said:
Also she will need to get Police certificate from China if she lived there for more than 6 months. There is another member on the forum that recently tried to get a police certificate from China.
What an incredible hassle that country is! It looks like I need to do some shady, third-party stuff to get a copy of that document. Are you sure there is no way to explain to CIC how difficult it is to get the document? They 100% will ask for it even though she is a US citizen?
 

Ponga

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Stawkings said:
What an incredible hassle that country is! It looks like I need to do some shady, third-party stuff to get a copy of that document. Are you sure there is no way to explain to CIC how difficult it is to get the document? They 100% will ask for it even though she is a US citizen?
CIC doesn't care how difficult it is. She needs a PCC from each and every country where she has lived for 6 months or more (excluding Canada), since age 18. This is non-negotiable.
 

Stawkings

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May 3, 2016
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Ponga said:
CIC doesn't care how difficult it is. She needs a PCC from each and every country where she has lived for 6 months or more (excluding Canada), since age 18. This is non-negotiable.
Ok, thanks. Do you know if her son needs the check as well?
 

Ponga

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Stawkings said:
Ok, thanks. Do you know if her son needs the check as well?
Only if he is older than 18 and has lived in China and/or The U.S. for 6 months or more.
 

Ponga

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Actually, if he's lived anywhere other than Canada and is 18-1/2 or older.
 

Stawkings

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Ponga said:
Actually, if he's lived anywhere other than Canada and is 18-1/2 or older.
He's under 18, so it's no worries :)

Do you think we'd be able to start the application now and include proof that we are in the process of getting the PCC or do we need to physically have it before we apply?
 

badpusacat

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Ponga said:
CIC doesn't care how difficult it is. She needs a PCC from each and every country where she has lived for 6 months or more (excluding Canada), since age 18. This is non-negotiable.
Just a question, what's your basis in this statement?

There are cases when the applicant is no longer in a certain country and it's totally impossible for him to get a PCC unless he'll go back to that country again - which is expensive and difficult for some people due to visa issues.

Example: If I lived in Saudi Arabia before and I need PCC, it is not possible for me to get if I'm not there anymore (normal process of getting it). CIC does consider applications even without PCC from Saudi in the past.
 

canuck_in_uk

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Stawkings said:
What an incredible hassle that country is! It looks like I need to do some shady, third-party stuff to get a copy of that document. Are you sure there is no way to explain to CIC how difficult it is to get the document? They 100% will ask for it even though she is a US citizen?
Follow the instructions given by CIC on the website and document your efforts. CIC does not expect you to go to extreme lengths to obtain the PCC. China PCCs can be difficult and they know that. If you follow the instructions and still can't get it, write a letter of explanation and show your documentation. There are many people who have been unable to obtain PCCs from certain countries; provided you can show you tried, CIC should give an exemption.


Ponga said:
CIC doesn't care how difficult it is. She needs a PCC from each and every country where she has lived for 6 months or more (excluding Canada), since age 18. This is non-negotiable.
It's not non-negotiable. Many people can't obtain PCCs from some countries due to residency rules, requirement to apply in person, etc. CIC does grant exemptions in such situations.