Sponsoring my Korean wife for permanent residency

[bartjones]

GoT (see what I did there?) another question for everyone here?

Interviews. They seem to be uncommon, and I do realize that no matter where in the world I am at the time of a request, if it were to happen, we would have to return to Seoul for it to happen.

So, my question for this is (actually, it's 3 sub-questions pertaining to "interviews")

1.) When "usually" does it happen? like how far along the process? early? middle? near the end? completely random?
2.) Would BOTH of us have to be there for the interview? just my sponsored spouse? just me?
3.) What happens during the interview? Is it just a sit-down and chat to make sure everything is legit? does it involve skill-testing questions? perhaps a game of Twister with your VO?

All joking aside, hoping some folks would shed a little light on this part of the process, if indeed it comes to it!

THanks!

I think if CIC requires an interview it happens in Seoul. They stopped processing PR applications at the Seoul visa office but if Korean applicants require an interview it still happens in Seoul. They don't have to fly to Manila. The interview seems to happen somewhat later in the process to address concerns that arose with CIC after a full review of the application material.

I think, though I'm not certain, that the interview usually just involves the principal applicant. Again, I'm not certain, but from what I've read on this board, it seems that interviews are most common when the VO has doubts about the genuineness of the relationship. Rob TO may know a little more than me on that issue.

Somewhere on this board there is a post of a long list of potential interview questions. If you search around here you can find it.

 

[bartjones]

Quick question for you all....

Once your wife receives her notification that she has been accepted for the PR Card, does that start any kind of clock for when she must enter the country?

So, if she received the notification in November, would we be ok waiting until February/March to move?

Thanks again for all the help you guys provide! This site definitely makes this process a lot easier to understand!

I haven't reached that stage yet with my wife's application, but from reading other posts here it seems that the COPR has an expiry date of some kind, and you have to land before that date.

 

[Rob_TO]

1.) When "usually" does it happen? like how far along the process? early? middle? near the end? completely random?
2.) Would BOTH of us have to be there for the interview? just my sponsored spouse? just me?
3.) What happens during the interview? Is it just a sit-down and chat to make sure everything is legit? does it involve skill-testing questions? perhaps a game of Twister with your VO?

Any interview would be in Korea. Most likely the visa office in Seoul. The VO from Manila would actually travel to Korea for the interview. I've heard they only schedule interview on a few dates per year to minimize travel, so any potential interview can add a considerable delay to processing while you are waiting for the date. To speed up the waiting time you may be able to request a local interview location in Manila, but not sure if this is possible.

In vast majority of interviews, only the applicant is required to go. Many sponsors do attend also, but it's up to the VO if they also decide to interview the sponsor at the same time. As mentioned, there are several thread on peoples interview experiences and all the various questions that are asked.

Any potential interview notice would come anytime during 2nd stage processing. There is no real timeline.

Quick question for you all....

Once your wife receives her notification that she has been accepted for the PR Card, does that start any kind of clock for when she must enter the country?

So, if she received the notification in November, would we be ok waiting until February/March to move?

Yes the COPR has an expiry date that the applicant MUST land by, else the COPR is invalid and have to start the process over from beginning.

Usually the expiry date corresponds to exactly 1 year from the date the medicals were done, or from the date they were extended by VO (if over 1 year for processing). There have been cases on here where applicants have gotten COPRs with expiry dates only days or weeks away so the applicants need to get to Canada asap. And some cases when the COPR arrives and it's already expired (obviously in these cases, the visa office needs to re-issue new ones).

 

[flatblack]

Apologies if this has been answered. I've read most of this thread but may have missed it.

Question: Am I supposed to send the sponsorship application first, get approval for that, and then send the permanent residence application? ... or am I supposed to send both at the same time in one mail?

I am an outland sponsor living overseas. Wife is Korean.

From website:

There are two steps to the application process for your spouse, partner or children to become permanent residents.

As a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, you must apply to sponsor your family member.
Your sponsorship application is processed by a Case Processing Centre (CPC) in Canada.
You will be notified in writing by the CPC about the decision on your sponsorship application.
Your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, or dependent children must apply for permanent residence.

The applications for both sponsorship and permanent residence should be filled out and sent at the same time.

 

[CanAsian]

need to send everything at once. Separate the files, one for your sponsorship approval and one for the PR application. The office in Canada will forward your wifes application to Manila after you are approved as a sponsor.

 

[flatblack]

Thanks! This may sound like a ridiculous question but by separating 'the files' did you mean you separated the 4 parts of the application and paper clip them separately?

4 parts (based on the IMM5491 checklist):
Forms - Sponsor
Forms - Sponsored person and family members
Supporting documents - Sponsor
Supporting documents - Sponsored person and family members

 

[CanAsian]

What I did was I separated my things into 3 big envelopes.
1) Sponsor forms and supporting documents
2) Sponsored person forms and supporting documents
3) Proof of Relationship inlcuding extra supporting items such as pictures, letters, whatever else you want to include to show evidence about your relationship

Here's what someone else did that helped me out:

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/how-i-organized-our-applcation-and-a-summary-of-all-helpful-tips-i-have-learned-t92449.0.html

Hope that helps.

 

[flatblack]

Thanks CanAsian!

To anyone: One of the questions asks which office to send your application to (which the CPC in Mississauga forwards your app to). Are there rules which one I am allowed to pick? Wife is Korean but we live in Australia. Should I pick Australia or the Philippines? I'm not sure if it is based on where you currently reside or the closest office to the 'home' country of the sponsored applicant.

 

[Rob_TO]

Thanks CanAsian!

To anyone: One of the questions asks which office to send your application to (which the CPC in Mississauga forwards your app to). Are there rules which one I am allowed to pick? Wife is Korean but we live in Australia. Should I pick Australia or the Philippines? I'm not sure if it is based on where you currently reside or the closest office to the 'home' country of the sponsored applicant.

You can request visa office based on citizenship or residency.
So if she has been admitted to Australia with valid status for at least 1 year, she could request Sydney office for processing. I would recommend this over Manila, since Sydney is a super quick office.

Although in the end, the decision on where to send your app is up to CPC-Mississauga. Even if you request Sydney, they still may decide to send it to Manila. It's good to write a cover letter explaining why you want Sydney, such as that you'd prefer interview there.

 

[flatblack]

Thanks Rob_TO ... you all are awesome!

Another question for anyone reading this: How do you deal with documents that are needed in different sections? For example, I will need to provide a special explanation with documents on how I support myself financially in IMM5481 but this is also needed for #15 in the IMM5491 checklist. Is it safer to have duplicate documents? (EDIT: I may also need to insert these documents to explain IMM5540 Question 11. Is having 3 of the same document OK?)

 

[Marticus]

Another question for anyone reading this: How do you deal with documents that are needed in different sections? For example, I will need to provide a special explanation with documents on how I support myself financially in IMM5481 but this is also needed for #15 in the IMM5491 checklist. Is it safer to have duplicate documents? (EDIT: I may also need to insert these documents to explain IMM5540 Question 11. Is having 3 of the same document OK?)

I arranged my documents by the checklist, into the 4 sections they have outlined there + the checklist + the appendix checklist

My recommendation would be to avoid duplicates, but insert a paper that would refer the VO to the section where the document is located (it's a person checking it, so little notes and reminders won't hurt) The reason I say to avoid duplicates, is, when your application package is finished, it will be big - so keep it as quality as possible (because there is already a ton of quantity - mine was 215 pages)

That being said, make sure to fill out ALL the questions, and if they don't apply to you - put "N/A" or "Not Applicable" (I also believe they ask you to write a sentence for a couple of the sections that says something like "I am not a member of this organization" Do NOT leave any sections BLANKS And don't forget for you and your wife to sign where it says (If I remember, there are about 6 different papers that ask for signatures) I'll scroll back and cut / paste how I laid out my package and attach it to a message under this.

EDIT: attached:

Summary of our application:

Cover Pages: 5
Document Checklist: 2
Appendix A Document Checklist - Immigrant: 6
Forms - Sponsor: 26
Forms - Sponsored Person: 28
Supporting Documents - Sponsor: 49
Supporting Documents - Sponsored Person: 99

-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL PAGES: 215
-----------------------------------------------

TOTAL TIME SPENT ON APPLICATION: 5 WEEKS

----------------------------------------------
TOTAL MONEY SPENT ON APPLICATION:

1040 CDN dollars
+ 280,000 Won (translation)
+ 35,000 Won (photos)
+ 220,000 Won (medical)
+ 88,000 Won courier
+ 150,000 random (train tickets, taxis, photo paper, labels, paper etc)

= approx $1800 CDN
-----------------------------------------------------------------

 

[Rob_TO]

Another question for anyone reading this: How do you deal with documents that are needed in different sections? For example, I will need to provide a special explanation with documents on how I support myself financially in IMM5481 but this is also needed for #15 in the IMM5491 checklist. Is it safer to have duplicate documents? (EDIT: I may also need to insert these documents to explain IMM5540 Question 11. Is having 3 of the same document OK?)

For IMM5481 you only need to include additional info if you are unemployed.
For IMM5491, #15 is only for a co-signer so doesn't even apply to spousal apps. Perhaps you mean #18?

Anyways you don't need to submit duplicate documents. Just 1 of everything is fine, and they can refer to the same doc for multiple questions if they want to. So you only need 1 Option C, 1 letter from employer, 1 plan for establishing in Canada, etc.

 

[Red Tape Sucks]

Flights are now booked for July!

Does anyone have a good recommendation for a shipping company, or ones to stay away from?

We are looking for one which will go door to door from our place in Anyang to my dads place in Pickering.

Thanks guys!

 

[Marticus]

Flights are now booked for July!

Does anyone have a good recommendation for a shipping company, or ones to stay away from?

We are looking for one which will go door to door from our place in Anyang to my dads place in Pickering.

Thanks guys!

I'm wondering the same thing, I've heard "Hyundai Shipping" is supposed to be good. Not sure of contact info / pricing though

I DO know that a buddy of mine recently shipped home 18 boxes via Korean Post Snail Mail - that cost him about 700,000 won, and took about 6 weeks to get back (standard sized boxes "#3" I believe is the box size at the post offices)

 

[bartjones]

Flights are now booked for July!

Does anyone have a good recommendation for a shipping company, or ones to stay away from?

We are looking for one which will go door to door from our place in Anyang to my dads place in Pickering.

Thanks guys!

What are you going to be shipping? Biggish stuff or boxes, or both?