Question about Inside/Outside Spouse Sponsorship

[fighterf]

Hi Everyone,

I have a semi-quick question about whether my soon-to-be spouse and I should apply from inside our outside of Canada for family class sponsorship.

Background:

Late this June, I (U.S. Citizen) will be marrying my girlfriend (Canadian citizen) in Ontario. After we marry, she plans on sponsoring me family-class for permanent residence.

My question is if we should apply from within Canada, or outside of Canada. If I understand properly, applying from outside Canada means I will have to return to the US while my application is being processed, and I will not be allowed entrance until the process is complete. Is this correct?

I am currently thinking I should apply from within Canada. I have a job lined up, but not one that qualifies me for skilled worker immigration (not high-demand, it's failed the HRSDC thing 3 times now). If I apply from within Canada, will/can I be issued a work permit for this job while my application is processed?

Also, a tangential question regarding financial obligation on the part of my sponsor: As it stands, I would be the 'primary' provider for the relationship. Some places on the CIC website, it cites specific financial security requirements on the part of my sponsor. In other sections, it says that these do not apply to spousal applications if there are no children (there aren't). Can anyone clarify?

Thanks!

 

[Leon]

I think you have gotten it mixed up. It is with inland that you must stay in Canada the whole time. With outland, you can stay or you can come and go.

With inland, you would send your application to Vegreville and you can include with it an application for an open work permit to be issued when you get your first stage approval in 6-7 months. You might expect your PR in 1-2 years. It's advised that you don't leave Canada while this is in process because if you for any reason are denied entry into Canada your application is gone.

With outland, you can be in Canada or you can be in the US. You would send the application to Mississauga and they take a month to approve the sponsor, then it would go to the US and takes average 5 months there until you have PR. Actually ranging from about 4-9 months.

If you are staying in Canada over your 6 month visit status limit, you should apply for a visit visa extension to keep yourself legal.

For a sponsor who is sponsoring a spouse and/or kids only, there are no income requirements.

 

[fighterf]

Thanks for the information! I'll be applying outside, then. It makes more sense since I currently live in Michigan and work freelance.

Which brings me to another question, regarding visitors visas. Whenever I cross the border, they ask me how long I'm staying. I'm usually just visiting, so I say 2-3 weeks. I've found some minimal information online, but what is the time limit a U.S. citizen can stay over visiting before coming back? Is that the 6 months? If I'm staying that long, do I need to apply for a visitor's permit?

Clarification regarding the income thing: Her and I were just looking through the forms required. IMM5481E, the Sponsorship Evaluation asks, in question #2 asks questions regarding current employment. Filling this out it not a problem, I was just wondering how relevant this information is, and the reason for question 3 asking about income for the past 12 months is, if there is no income requirement.

Boy I'm asking a lot of questions. Thanks!

 

[fighterf]

And another question...

Reviewing the Document Checklist, there are two 'proof of income' documents requested. Are these required for spousal applications?

 

[Boncuk]

If its just you and your spouse and no dependants with dependants of their own then you don't have to meet the income requirements. Just Option C printout. They want to see she hasn't collected social assistance.