Some Important Questions Regarding Outland Sponsorship

[hilly]

Hello Everyone,

You all have been very helpful with my questions and again I have more!
Background: getting married end of May. I am a US Citizen and my fiance is Canadian.

1. My soon to be husbands family have dual citizenship. His grandmother frequently moves from the US to Canada and back. I am wondering if she can bring our stuff as her own before we get the PR status to bring it? We have so many wedding gifts piling up in my parents dining room and I'd hate to leave them for an extended period of time. Worst case scenario my fiance said he would just ship them as his own and pay the duties.

2. Unfortunately I have health issues. This has been a big dilemma for us because me moving to Canada means giving up my job that has health insurance provided for me. I go to the doctor every month and have routine blood work done. I also have to take a medication that without health insurance costs around $5k a pop. Now my question is if I am a visitor in Canada while waiting for the outland visa, can I get a private health insurance and find a specialist doctor there while I wait? I have seen travel insurance etc. but I think I need something a little more concrete than an emergency insurance.

3. When it comes to apply after we are married. I can have my address as an in Canada address on the forms? That way all correspondence is done there and the only thing that would be required of me to do in the US is if they were to request an interview? And in that case do I put that I am applying outland while living in Canada? I can't remember the exact terminology on the form.

4. Background checks: Can I get my FBI report done now even though I am not getting married until the end of May? Or do I have to wait until after the marriage to obtain that.

5. Medical check: If I am "visiting" Canada while waiting for my PR, how do I go about doing the medical when they request it? I just see a doctor in Canada? Or do I need to return to the US to do that.

 

[Rob_TO]

1. My soon to be husbands family have dual citizenship. His grandmother frequently moves from the US to Canada and back. I am wondering if she can bring our stuff as her own before we get the PR status to bring it? We have so many wedding gifts piling up in my parents dining room and I'd hate to leave them for an extended period of time. Worst case scenario my fiance said he would just ship them as his own and pay the duties.

What do you mean she "moves" frequently between the 2 countries? There is a rule that returning citizens can import their goods tax free only if they've been gone for a long time (I think at least 1 year). Also it's expected you are importing your used, personal items. A bunch of brand new products would raise suspicion and may not qualify for the exemption.

2. Unfortunately I have health issues. This has been a big dilemma for us because me moving to Canada means giving up my job that has health insurance provided for me. I go to the doctor every month and have routine blood work done. I also have to take a medication that without health insurance costs around $5k a pop. Now my question is if I am a visitor in Canada while waiting for the outland visa, can I get a private health insurance and find a specialist doctor there while I wait? I have seen travel insurance etc. but I think I need something a little more concrete than an emergency insurance.

Doubtful you will find any insurance product that will save you money for a pre-existing condition. Think from the insurance companies point of view, why would they give you a policy where they already know you will be making lots of claims? In order for the insurer to make money they would need to make sure your monthly premiums cost more than the meds and doctor visits.

You may want to stay in the US until your PR is approved, so when you get PR and move to Canada you can then qualify for healthcare. Just note that prescription meds are not usually covered by provincial healthcare, although there are programs that will help cover costs depending on your income level.

3. When it comes to apply after we are married. I can have my address as an in Canada address on the forms? That way all correspondence is done there and the only thing that would be required of me to do in the US is if they were to request an interview? And in that case do I put that I am applying outland while living in Canada? I can't remember the exact terminology on the form.

Yes it's fine to have a Canadian address while living (technically "visiting") in Canada for an OUTLAND app.

Make sure you follow the "Currently living outside Canada" application package. The mailing address is different from INLAND.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5289ETOC.asp#mail
Where do I mail the application?
Pick the correct mailing address:

Application for spouses, common-law partners or conjugal partners and dependent children (currently living outside Canada):
CPC Mississauga
P.O. Box 3000, Station A
Mississauga, ON
L5A 4N6
Note: Your spouse or common-law partner may be living in Canada with you, but if he or she doesn’t plan to stay in Canada while the application is being processed, choose this option.

or

Application for spouses or common-law partners
(currently living in Canada) applying under the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class:
CPC Mississauga
P.O. Box 5040, Station B
Mississauga, ON
L5A 3A4

4. Background checks: Can I get my FBI report done now even though I am not getting married until the end of May? Or do I have to wait until after the marriage to obtain that.

Not sure on this with new application package rules.

5. Medical check: If I am "visiting" Canada while waiting for my PR, how do I go about doing the medical when they request it? I just see a doctor in Canada? Or do I need to return to the US to do that.

You can go to any panel physician anywhere in the world. So when they request medical, just look up on CIC site the closest one at the time.