self-employment immigration stream

[henrik drescher]

I'm applying under the self-employment category, my wife has permanent residency status but neglected to renew her maple leaf card 10 years ago and hasn't returned since, we're now wanting to both re-enter Canada, my question is, should i include her as a dependant on my self-employment application or should she be the one trying to get her status re-established, and once she has succeeded, sponsor me as her spouse?

 

[scylla]

I'm applying under the self-employment category, my wife has permanent residency status but neglected to renew her maple leaf card 10 years ago and hasn't returned since, we're now wanting to both re-enter Canada, my question is, should i include her as a dependant on my self-employment application or should she be the one trying to get her status re-established, and once she has succeeded, sponsor me as her spouse?

You can only include her as a dependent if she officially renounces her PR status first.

In order to sponsor you for PR, she would need to re-enter Canada without being reported for failing to meet the residency requirements and will then need to live in Canada for two straight years. Only after the two years will she be able to sponsor you.

Since her PR card isn't valid, she would need to fly to the US and try to re-enter Canada through a land border using a private vehicle and hope she is not reported.

 

[henrik drescher]

many thanks, so if she renounces her PR, then i can afterward apply for self-employment status and include her in the paperwork? will she then get the residency at the same time i would? how long does the self-employment approach take from application to entry?...is this something i should be engaging a consultant for, it seems pretty straightforward to me but i might be naive.
again thanks!

 

[scylla]

many thanks, so if she renounces her PR, then i can afterward apply for self-employment status and include her in the paperwork? will she then get the residency at the same time i would? how long does the self-employment approach take from application to entry?...is this something i should be engaging a consultant for, it seems pretty straightforward to me but i might be naive.
again thanks!

Yes, if she renounces PR and you include her as an accompanying dependent, you will both get PR at the same time.

It's your call if you do this yourself or engage a lawyer or consultant. Many do it themselves.

Processing for the self-employment stream is approximately two years from the time you apply.