Outland spousal sponsorship - planning to move wife to Canada prior to PR status obtained

[AaronMA]

Wondering if I would be able to obtain some guidance:
My wife (US citizen) and I (Canadian PR for 25+ years) submitted our application in mid February and received the email with application number at the beginning of March.
We were married in October of 2023 after 3+ year long distance relationship.
Since my wife's apartment lease is ending at the end of September, we are planning to move her up here at that time, more than likely before PR status has been obtained.
I will be flying down, helping her pack up her belongings into her SUV and drive back into Canada.

Should we apply for a visitors visa for her? And how far in advance should we apply?
Once she is in Canada, would she be able to apply for an open work permit, or would that even be worth our while since it may only be a few months before her application is finalized?

Thanks in advance!
Aaron

 

[armoured]

My wife (US citizen) and I (Canadian PR for 25+ years) submitted our application in mid February and received the email with application number at the beginning of March.
We were married in October of 2023 after 3+ year long distance relationship.
Since my wife's apartment lease is ending at the end of September, we are planning to move her up here at that time, more than likely before PR status has been obtained.
I will be flying down, helping her pack up her belongings into her SUV and drive back into Canada.

Should we apply for a visitors visa for her? And how far in advance should we apply?
Once she is in Canada, would she be able to apply for an open work permit, or would that even be worth our while since it may only be a few months before her application is finalized?

Was your 3+ yr long distance relationship entirely online or did you meet each other / longer visits / travel together a fair bit? FIrst marriage for both of you?

If so, this does not sound like a difficult file, and apps from USA tend to be quicker for criminal/security clearances. How quick, no-one can say, but 6-10 months (occasionally a bit shorter) is fairly common. September is a bit tight but not out of the question. (A mistake in the file application that had the file returned to you would be the biggest risk, but you're now past that stage).

The weakest part of your plan is to 'bring back all her belongings' before she comes as a full-fledged PR. Relatively high chance of being refused entry, or made to leave things (somehow), etc.

Far better would be to wait and see what situation is in July-August. If not done at that point, she could decide between possibly extending her lease for a month or so, putting stuff in storage temporarily and coming up by plane, giving it over to a moving company for later delivery (they will hold before sending for an extra charge), etc.

Note that from the time of receiving the passport request, may need 2-4 weeks for process of getting the landing docs.

You could also order gcms notes sometime in June/July, or even now. A 'quick assessment' is usually made by an analyst when they process the file (and send you the AOR email you got); that might have language that would indicate if there's any perceived issues. But most likely it would only have the absence of any issue.

 

[AaronMA]

Thank you very much for your response.
With regards to your questions, as soon as COVID travel restrictions had lifted, did we visit one another back and forth at least 6-7 times. During those visits I spend Christmas holidays with my wife and her parents who live 5 hours away from her, twice.
Both of us were previously married, and separated and both divorced in early 2022.
We have provided with our application lots of photos, travel itineraries, online communications, letters, as well as letters from friends whom we socialized with during our visits, so I don't believe there should be any issue with regards to legitimacy it or relationship.
We took great care in compiling all required documents, so hopefully things will go smooth and swiftly.
I assume that the next communication we would receive is regarding the medical exam.
With regards to the gcms notes, we may hold off for a month or so, as there may be some more information at that time.
If there's anything else that may be helpful for our situation and plans, we'd happily hear from you.
Thanks again!!
Aaron

 

[armoured]

With regards to your questions, as soon as COVID travel restrictions had lifted, did we visit one another back and forth at least 6-7 times. During those visits I spend Christmas holidays with my wife and her parents who live 5 hours away from her, twice.
Both of us were previously married, and separated and both divorced in early 2022.
We have provided with our application lots of photos, travel itineraries, online communications, letters, as well as letters from friends whom we socialized with during our visits, so I don't believe there should be any issue with regards to legitimacy it or relationship.

Sounds rather normal, yes.

I assume that the next communication we would receive is regarding the medical exam.
With regards to the gcms notes, we may hold off for a month or so, as there may be some more information at that time.
If there's anything else that may be helpful for our situation and plans, we'd happily hear from you.

Yes, medical and biometrics, but nothing to worry about there.

Can't say there's much more to say - cross your fingers and be ready to adjust your plans seems best approach. But I'd still suggest scratch the idea of moving with all stuff before final decision / receipt of COPR and landing docs.

 

[Ponga]

But I'd still suggest scratch the idea of moving with all stuff before final decision / receipt of COPR and landing docs.

So true! Most times, `prematurely' showing up at the border with a moving truck ends in disappointment.