Questions about girlfriend immigrating from the US to Canada

[dj19]

Hello everyone, I just have several questions regarding my girlfriend immigrating to Canada.

My girlfriend and I have been dating for over 4 years now and have decided that she leave the US and move to Canada. We plan for her to move here in September then get married and begin the process for her to become a permanent resident.

My questions for you guys are, is it possible for my girlfriend to move here before getting married? When applying for sponsorship, should we apply inland or outland? My girlfriend would also like to be able to work and possibly take some continuing education courses while her PR is processing. Would she need to get a study and work permit for this? Also how long will this whole process take? And finally how much is this all going to cost us?

Ive been having a lot of trouble finding this information on the immigration website and was hoping to get some help from people who may have experienced a similar situation. Any help you guys could give me would be really appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[lleahdoll]

Never use the word move. She can only visit you before becoming a PR.

I would start the paperwork and gathering evidence now. You also need to set up a medical for her to do, and send in fingerprints to the FBI for a background check. You can do all of that now. Then once you're married the only thing you'd have to wait on is your marriage certificate.

Since she is from the US, I suggest Outland, as I think most others would as well.
BUT since you say she wants to work while she's there, then you could consider inland but the general consensus is first stage for inland takes the same amount of time as the whole outland process.
I'm not sure if she can go to school with inland. Outland she can still visit but not "live" here.

Sponsorship application (per application) $75
Principal applicant $475
Right of Permanent Residence Fee $590

http://www.cic.gc.ca/englisH/information/fees/fees.asp#permanent

Most of the information you're looking for right now is actually pretty easy to find on CIC's website. You just need to take some time and read their website.
Start here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/sponsor/spouse.asp

Oh and right now US outland applicants are averaging 6-9 months. But it really depends on your personal case.

 

[commonlawsponsor]

If she wants to stay with you in Canada while the application is processing - she can work remotely (online) for an American company if she can find a job.

Also regarding costs don't forget to include the cost for a medical - this can be done in Canada or the US, it seems that Canada is often cheaper. I would make this one of the last steps as it only good for 1 year and after that they can ask you to do a new one.
Getting FBI background checks/fingerprints is also a minor cost, and these are only valid for 3 months. So don't do them too early either!
Other costs may include translating certificates but I don't think this will apply to your partner is she from the States. Also you may end up getting some letters notarized which might have a small cost as well.

 

[Zarilenth]

If she plans on 'moving' here before getting PR, make sure you're well prepared at the boarder. She can't bring her life over with her, and she will 99% be turned away if she brings a U-haul full of stuff over, or if she tells them she's moving in with you. She can 'visit' for up to 6 months, and 1 month before that expires she can request another extension online.
She cannot work or study in Canada unless she gets a work or study visa. Work visa's are hard to get unless she can do one of the jobs listed under the NAFTA professions, or if you can get an LMO (which are very hard to get). There is no 'open' work visa for American's to work in Canada.
The process for my American husband took exactly 5 months, applying outland. Step 1 (sponsorship approval) took 39 days. Step 2 (applicant approval) took 112 days (just under 4 months). So my husband is now landing July 30th as a Permanent Resident and can now legally study and work in Canada. Had he applied inland, he'd most likely be waiting for another year. Yours might not be that fast, but others are getting approved with that timeline recently too.

The cost for us was $1040 for the application, around $300 for the medical fees, $20ish for the FBI prints, $50 bucks to send the application in, and random fees here and there (for example $24ish for the wedding certificate, etc).

 

[Rob_TO]

My questions for you guys are, is it possible for my girlfriend to move here before getting married? When applying for sponsorship, should we apply inland or outland? My girlfriend would also like to be able to work and possibly take some continuing education courses while her PR is processing. Would she need to get a study and work permit for this?

Study permit is required for taking courses that are expected to take 6 months or longer to complete. Its usually fairly easy to get a study permit, you just enroll/pay for the course you want and apply for it.

Working it harder. The 2 easiest options to work are:
1. If she qualifies for the SWAP program
2. If she qualifies for any jobs listed under NAFTA agreement

 

[dj19]

Sponsorship application (per application) $75
Principal applicant $475
Right of Permanent Residence Fee $590

Thanks for the help! Regarding the fees, so do I have to pay all three of those fees? And are all fees paid at one time?

Also could my girlfriend "visit" here during the application process and if so does she need any sort of visa?

 

[dj19]

If she wants to stay with you in Canada while the application is processing - she can work remotely (online) for an American company if she can find a job.

Also regarding costs don't forget to include the cost for a medical - this can be done in Canada or the US, it seems that Canada is often cheaper. I would make this one of the last steps as it only good for 1 year and after that they can ask you to do a new one.
Getting FBI background checks/fingerprints is also a minor cost, and these are only valid for 3 months. So don't do them too early either!
Other costs may include translating certificates but I don't think this will apply to your partner is she from the States. Also you may end up getting some letters notarized which might have a small cost as well.

Thank you! Okay so when we are ready to send in the application do we send in the medical and background check in with the application, or is that sent later on during the process?

Also what do you mean working online remotely?

Thanks again for the help!

 

[dj19]

If she plans on 'moving' here before getting PR, make sure you're well prepared at the boarder. She can't bring her life over with her, and she will 99% be turned away if she brings a U-haul full of stuff over, or if she tells them she's moving in with you. She can 'visit' for up to 6 months, and 1 month before that expires she can request another extension online.
She cannot work or study in Canada unless she gets a work or study visa. Work visa's are hard to get unless she can do one of the jobs listed under the NAFTA professions, or if you can get an LMO (which are very hard to get). There is no 'open' work visa for American's to work in Canada.
The process for my American husband took exactly 5 months, applying outland. Step 1 (sponsorship approval) took 39 days. Step 2 (applicant approval) took 112 days (just under 4 months). So my husband is now landing July 30th as a Permanent Resident and can now legally study and work in Canada. Had he applied inland, he'd most likely be waiting for another year. Yours might not be that fast, but others are getting approved with that timeline recently too.

The cost for us was $1040 for the application, around $300 for the medical fees, $20ish for the FBI prints, $50 bucks to send the application in, and random fees here and there (for example $24ish for the wedding certificate, etc).

Thanks for the response! All she is bringing is her clothing. So is it okay for her to buy a 1 way ticket to Canada or does she have to buy a return ticket returning in 6 months? Wow 5 months thats all?? That would be great, I thought it took up to a year! Was that $1040 paid all at once?

 

[dj19]

Study permit is required for taking courses that are expected to take 6 months or longer to complete. Its usually fairly easy to get a study permit, you just enroll/pay for the course you want and apply for it.

Working it harder. The 2 easiest options to work are:
1. If she qualifies for the SWAP program
2. If she qualifies for any jobs listed under NAFTA agreement

Thank you for the response! The course she would like to take is only 4 months so she wouldn't need a study permit for that? What about some sort of visitor visa?

 

[rhcohen2014]

Thank you for the response! The course she would like to take is only 4 months so she wouldn't need a study permit for that? What about some sort of visitor visa?

us citizens do not need a visa to visit canada. they simply bring their passport and go to a border entry.

 

[dj19]

us citizens do not need a visa to visit canada. they simply bring their passport and go to a border entry.

Okay thanks!

 

[QuebecOkie]

It can take up to a year or more. CIC is grossly inconsistent. I say this not to freak you out, but to prepare you for the wait and the not-knowing. US outland apps tend to be pretty fast, 8-10 months, with some a bit faster, and some a bit slower. The only thing you can do is put together the best, most thorough, mistake-free application with good proof of your relationship, which will help avoid unnecessary delays. After that, it's in CIC's grimy hands.

The RPRF (right of permanent residency fee) can be paid later, though especially with outland applications, it is recommended that you pay all three up front to avoid delays.

 

[rhcohen2014]

Okay thanks!

remember, since you are NOT married or commonlaw, your girlfriend is simply coming to VISIT you, and take that course. She is NOT "moving" there. A person is more likely to be denied entry if they are NOT married to a canadian and appear to be "moving" to canada to be with their significant other. It's also suggested she have a return ticket, as not having one can be a red flag. if she doesnt intend to use it, then get a refundable one.

 

[dj19]

It can take up to a year or more. CIC is grossly inconsistent. I say this not to freak you out, but to prepare you for the wait and the not-knowing. US outland apps tend to be pretty fast, 8-10 months, with some a bit faster, and some a bit slower. The only thing you can do is put together the best, most thorough, mistake-free application with good proof of your relationship, which will help avoid unnecessary delays. After that, it's in CIC's grimy hands.

The RPRF (right of permanent residency fee) can be paid later, though especially with outland applications, it is recommended that you pay all three up front to avoid delays.

Okay thank you. What kind of things do we need to prove our relationship?

 

[dj19]

remember, since you are NOT married or commonlaw, your girlfriend is simply coming to VISIT you, and take that course. She is NOT "moving" there. A person is more likely to be denied entry if they are NOT married to a canadian and appear to be "moving" to canada to be with their significant other. It's also suggested she have a return ticket, as not having one can be a red flag. if she doesnt intend to use it, then get a refundable one.

I will make sure to get a return ticket. So do you think there is a high chance of her getting rejected at the airport since we are not married yet?