Sponsoring my wife, I live in Canada, she doesn't

[Perkles]

Hi there! I'm about to send in my application to sponsor my wife in the next few weeks. We were married in a civil ceremony last January (in Europe). I'm a Canadian citizen, born here. I didn't quite realize how tricky the whole application process would be and I've made many mistakes which delayed my application. Now, I'm pretty sure I have all my bases covered in terms of the application. I've never been able to get in touch with the CIC folks on the phone, but I have been talking to my MLA office and they are basically relaying my questions to them.

I'm going back overseas for the traditional wedding, and hopefully my application to sponsor will be back to me by then (with luck, 88 days to process that part was what I was told). We had hoped to come back to Canada together where she could visit me for as long as allowed, which for her country is six months (she does not require a visitors visa). I have heard that the border people will want proof of intent to return to her country, and that six months might not be looked at as a 'visit' as typical Canadian vacations are 'two weeks'.

Lots of what I hear is hear-say, so I'm more than worried. Our plan was she would return to her country for an interview, if required, and then when she gets her PR card (which hopefully wouldn't be too long after the interview) return to Canada without worry. But I am worried about the border people.

I have all the proof they need in terms of legitimacy of marriage (photos, documents, papers, translations) but something tells me they could make things difficult at the border. To me, it seems simple...to my MLA's office, they believe she would also require 'proof of intent to return to her country' like her job, car, family, that kind of thing.

I'm getting more and more worried everyday about our plans. I have nothing to fear as our relationship and marriage is fully documented and real, but you never know how those border folks are going to be on any given day.

Thoughts?...thanks very much.

 

[canadianwoman]

She comes from a country that does not require a visa to visit Canada. Usually such people are allowed in with no problem - though they might get a lot of questions from the border agent.
She should have proof that you have sent in the PR application - proof of payment, at least, if you haven't got any official letter stating the sponsor was approved.
She should also have proof of her ties to her own country: a return ticket, proof of a lease or mortgage, proof she has a job (a letter from her boss giving her leave, etc.), proof of a bank account, etc. She may not be able to get some of these if she is staying for 6 months, but they usually let a spouse who has applied for a PR in. She should be clear that she is just visiting, and knows she will have to go back to her country if the PR is refused.

 

[Perkles]

That makes sense to me, and yes, she does have some of those items. She has no job to return to, but she still has her vehicle lease. I will be with her going through customs and I will show the receipts of payment for the PR forms (if I don't have file # by then, I can hope) as well as a photocopy of her entire application, should they require that as well.

And she realizes she is visiting, she (nor I) have any illusions. We'd just like to spend some time together because we've been married for four months and haven't seen each other since then. And since she can legally visit here for up to six months without a visa, then I can see no reason why they wouldn't allow her to visit me. Ok, maybe not the whole six months, but why not? We'll take what we can get, of course, but I see no need to keep us apart when there is no reason. I've heard of other couples going back and forth without issue, but you never know. I want to stay positive, but prepare for the worst (how could it be any worse than now, I haven't seen my wife in four months).

 

[bally21]

I am doing the same with my husband who is also visa exempt. We recently got sponsor approval. We also have a return ticket for him. We leave in just under 3 weeks so if he is allowed in, under 'Dual Intent' then I will come back and write a post about it!

I also wrote to my VO, London and asked them and this is what they replied with

''A British citizen does not require a temporary resident visa (TRV) to enter or transit through Canada as a visitor. If the person is not otherwise inadmissible to Canada, this mission is unable to provide any documentation that would assist them at the Canadian port of entry.



When arriving in Canada, the officer at the port of entry will ask a few questions to be satisfied that the traveller will respect the terms and conditions of their stay. In addition to having a valid passport in their possession, the officer may wish to see proof of employment/studies in the traveller’s country of residence, evidence that they have sufficient funds to support themselves for the duration of their stay, a clear purpose for the visit, a return ticket and sufficient ties to their country of permanent residence.



Generally, a visitor may remain in Canada for a maximum period of 6 months, unless specified otherwise by the immigration officials upon entry into the country. Extensions may be applied for from inside Canada. Please contact the nearest CIC office in Canada for more information.



The above considerations are merely a few examples of the issues that will be examined at the port of entry. The overall circumstances of the person on the day they present themselves at the port of entry will be taken into account. ''

 

[Perkles]

I read similar things. The thing is this: I just want my wife and I to spend some time together while the paperwork is clearing. So, in terms of 'purpose of visit', well....kinda common sense. She can't work or study here (she's visiting, after all), and she's my wife, so common sense would suggest that we, as a married couple, can provide for ourselves financialy. I would think it more suspicious if she showed up here with her life savings (which, let's be honest, is what lots of european countries now would require to live in Canada for six months, if they had to). I'm going to just get her a return flight marked for six months; that sounds normal to me. Of course, she'll be coming with funds of her own but I've heard stories where they expect people to have upwards of $10,000 CDN for a six month stay! Ludicrous.

I can't find any info on what a 'sufficient' amount of funds is. I am fully employed, I am her sponsor...do they expect her to come here with thousands of dollars? It seems quite strange. When another family member of mine came to visit for six months, they asked him nothing! They looked at his passport, asked him duration, he said "six months". He had no return ticket. He stayed for six months and returned. I don't know why it would be any different for my wife, but too many stories I've heard make me worry.

Also, what is this "dual intent" you mentioned? I haven't read anything about it, but then again that's easy with the array of guides and forms all over the place....good luck to you!

 

[Isometry]

Dual intent would be your wife having two intentions when she visits you in Canada.

First intent: Coming as a visitor, intending to leave when her visitor's permit expires. The most important thing is your wife being able to convince the border officer that she genuinely has this first intent.

Second intent: Already having applied for PR, intending to stay permanently once it is approved.

As far as proof of funds, they don't need her to have thousands of dollars in cash. They expect that she either has a bank account with enough money in it to get by without working under the table, or an alternate means of getting by. In this case, you'd be supporting her while she visits. If you are concerned that proof of funds may be an issue, give her a letter stating that you'll be supporting her for those 6 months, which she can show at the border if asked.

 

[canadianwoman]

If you are traveling with her, you can state you will provide for her during her stay, if they ask about money at all. If she has credit cards and bank cards with her, they wouldn't usually require her to show cash.
Dual intent is a valid concept, but there is no point mentioning it to the border agents. Just say she is coming to visit you while her PR app is being processed. They'll understand.

 

[Perkles]

I hope they'll understand, those border guards can't be as cold as I've heard...I can provide such a letter, but I will be with her at that time (we're on the same flight coming back to Canada). I'm not sure how much they'll be talking only to her. But she does have her own back accounts, and credit cards. So I'll definitely make sure she brings records or that. Maybe a printout of her automobile ownership, but that sounds like more translation.

Dual intent makes complete sense; too bad they don't have a form for that!...they have one for everything else, after all

Thanks, and if anybody else can add anything to my question, I'd appreciate it.

 

[Isometry]

Really obvious advice: Stay polite and friendly. Don't get frustrated at the PR wait, or annoyed if they ask you a lot of questions, or cranky because it was a long flight and it's 3am, or nervous about answering anything.

Be clear that you know the rules and are fully intending to abide by them: "We applied for PR and she's coming to visit while we wait--of course, she can only say six months, but that's a lot better than nothing!"

And yes, if you're traveling with her you can just say it, there's no need for a letter. I'd missed that bit from your first post.

 

[Perkles]

Thanks; I agree that your approach is the best way, you're not going to get anywhere without being patient and calm (that goes without saying). I just hope that they don't have a problem with her coming for six months...it's much, much better than nothing

 

[wt1]

Thanks; I agree that your approach is the best way, you're not going to get anywhere without being patient and calm (that goes without saying). I just hope that they don't have a problem with her coming for six months...it's much, much better than nothing

Over in the new US applicant thread they have a set of FAQ's, with a short section on visits.

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/us-outland-applicants-thread-t106068.0.html;msg1492187#msg1492187

I think GOGOGO's experience set out there may be helpful with what you can expect.