Sponsor requirement to be in Canada?

[sfp123]

Hi everyone,

I have a question and I am wondering whether someone knows the answer.

I have been living in the US for 4 years. My student visa here is about to expire. My partner and I are going to apply for her PR as my spouse (though we still have to get married, currently we're engaged). My question is this. I have seen on this forum that sponsors are expected to stay in Canada while applications are in process, or risk losing the application. But this doesn't make sense for couples who have been living in another country together and are waiting for approval to return. What are the rules about this? I don't understand.

In my case, I will be returning to Canada before this application will be processed, because I have to leave the US. However, I want to go to the UK this fall for 4-5 weeks to see family, and I will want to come and visit my fiancee as well. Will either of those trips jeopardize my sponsorship? Does anyone know how this work?

Thanks!
Sarah

 

[scylla]

Are you a citizen? That's the critical question. If you're a citizen you can sponsor while living outside of the country. The "you must be living in Canada" rule applies to PRs only.

 

[ashunandal]

Hi everyone,

I have a question and I am wondering whether someone knows the answer.

I have been living in the US for 4 years. My student visa here is about to expire. My partner and I are going to apply for her PR as my spouse (though we still have to get married, currently we're engaged). My question is this. I have seen on this forum that sponsors are expected to stay in Canada while applications are in process, or risk losing the application. But this doesn't make sense for couples who have been living in another country together and are waiting for approval to return. What are the rules about this? I don't understand.

In my case, I will be returning to Canada before this application will be processed, because I have to leave the US. However, I want to go to the UK this fall for 4-5 weeks to see family, and I will want to come and visit my fiancee as well. Will either of those trips jeopardize my sponsorship? Does anyone know how this work?

Thanks!
Sarah

residency obligations are only for Sponsors with PR status, if you are a citizen of Canada, you can stay anywhere during processing but you need to prove your return after your spouse receives her PR. in your case, you are planning to move back to Canada before you send your application to CIC, there will be no issue regarding visiting your family and spouse
best of luck

 

[sfp123]

Thank you both!!

I am a Canadian citizen, yes. And I do intend to settle in Canada permanently once my fiancee has landed. So that is good to know that I am allowed to leave the country in the meantime! Phew! Thanks for clarifying. I have enough to worry about without that.