Sponsoring American wife to Canada
- Thread starter thekevbot
- Start date
thekevbot said:
It's possible, yes. Check this out - http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/special-business.asp
If she qualifies for NAFTA, it will be much easier.
If she doesn't, like me, it will be a little harder unless you have a hook up
thekevbot said:
You or someone you know can hook her up with a job. Like your uncle owns a store and he regularly hires LMO workers as cashiers, so he would hire her.
Thanks amikety!
We've decided that she is going to take my surname right away as soon as we're married, it's very important to her. So here's what I'm thinking we'll do, can anyone foresee any issues with this plan?
1) Get married on April 26th in US
2) Come back into Canada on May 7th (her current status expires on May 13th)
3) Ask border agent to grant her a new visitors visa telling them that we will be sending in the application for PR as soon as her new ID documents come
4) Apply outland for PR with her new surname
5) Wait
Ideally I would like to have the forms all filled out and paid for when we come back into Canada so I can show the border agent, but I'm not sure if I can pay the fees and fill out the form in advance of getting her new ID documents?
We've decided that she is going to take my surname right away as soon as we're married, it's very important to her. So here's what I'm thinking we'll do, can anyone foresee any issues with this plan?
1) Get married on April 26th in US
2) Come back into Canada on May 7th (her current status expires on May 13th)
3) Ask border agent to grant her a new visitors visa telling them that we will be sending in the application for PR as soon as her new ID documents come
4) Apply outland for PR with her new surname
5) Wait
Ideally I would like to have the forms all filled out and paid for when we come back into Canada so I can show the border agent, but I'm not sure if I can pay the fees and fill out the form in advance of getting her new ID documents?
thekevbot said:
You can pay the fees early. If you do it online, just print out the receipt and carry that with you.
American's don't get visitor's visa. We get Visitor's Records (VR).
It all sounds fairly reasonable. Having the fee paid will help. You also might want to carry proof of income just in case they ask how she will support herself while visiting Canada. There's a good chance you won't have your marriage certificate by then, but depending on the state you're married in, you'll have a handwritten marriage statement from the preacher/priest/judge/comissioner/etc or a signed copy of your marriage license from that person to present. You can also try to order a copy online to be mailed to you in Canada. Some states have it setup to do that and you can print out your receipt for the order as well.
I would have the receipt match the forms.
I went and pulled out my copy, but I paid at a bank in Canada, so it was not helpful. It didn't have any name on it - I think because I supplied that information when I ordered the receipt. (You order blank receipts from CIC and then mail it with the application. The bank fills it out, stamps it, etc.)
If all else fails, put her name as "First Name Madien Name Married Name" where her madien name is like her middle name.
Also, when I got married in the USA, when I applied for the license, I had to indicate whether I wanted my name changed to match my (ex)husband. I got a copy of the application (had to show the preacher) and still have it. It shows my madien name and intent to change my name. Maybe your state will have something similar.
I went and pulled out my copy, but I paid at a bank in Canada, so it was not helpful. It didn't have any name on it - I think because I supplied that information when I ordered the receipt. (You order blank receipts from CIC and then mail it with the application. The bank fills it out, stamps it, etc.)
If all else fails, put her name as "First Name Madien Name Married Name" where her madien name is like her middle name.
Also, when I got married in the USA, when I applied for the license, I had to indicate whether I wanted my name changed to match my (ex)husband. I got a copy of the application (had to show the preacher) and still have it. It shows my madien name and intent to change my name. Maybe your state will have something similar.
That's great. So I think we'll have everything filled out and paid for as well when we're entering back into Canada. Do you think it would be better to get the border agent to change her status as a visitor? Or should we send in an application for that so she gets the implied status while it's processing?
I would ask the IO to give her visitor status, preferably a visitor's record unless you plan to visit the USA frequently. Most VRs are single entry only, so if you frequently go across the border to shop or visit family, it's kinda useless getting one.
I would ask (and in fact, I did ask) for a VR to cover the processing time. I asked for 12 months (which was Ottawa's processing time when I applied) plus 2 extra months to complete the application and give me time to land in case the processing went over schedule. I was given 14 months. The IO might say no and only give you six months, which is okay. Just re-apply for another VR later online or at the border.
Realistically, most people don't apply until 2-3 months after the wedding because the paperwork takes time. It took me almost 4 months because I had to re-do my fingerprints for the FBI check. You can order that now to save time - just make sure it's mailed to CIC by 90 days or it's no longer valid. Book the medicals last. I've heard it's cheaper in Canada, so try to do them in Canada if you can. It cost me $180 for the exam and about $100 more for the bloodwork and x-ray, plus the fun of driving all over the city.
I would ask (and in fact, I did ask) for a VR to cover the processing time. I asked for 12 months (which was Ottawa's processing time when I applied) plus 2 extra months to complete the application and give me time to land in case the processing went over schedule. I was given 14 months. The IO might say no and only give you six months, which is okay. Just re-apply for another VR later online or at the border.
Realistically, most people don't apply until 2-3 months after the wedding because the paperwork takes time. It took me almost 4 months because I had to re-do my fingerprints for the FBI check. You can order that now to save time - just make sure it's mailed to CIC by 90 days or it's no longer valid. Book the medicals last. I've heard it's cheaper in Canada, so try to do them in Canada if you can. It cost me $180 for the exam and about $100 more for the bloodwork and x-ray, plus the fun of driving all over the city.
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