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Sponsoring your spouse while outside of Canada

99emi

Newbie
Jan 9, 2021
3
1
Hello everyone, the Canada website says that Canadian citizens can sponsor their spouse while living outside of Canada. I live with my husband in Poland untill he finishes studying, after this I plan on moving back to Canada with him.
I'm wondering if anyone actually tried sponsoring your spouse while both of you are outside of Canada? How much harder and longer is this process? Is it worse doing it?
The website also says that I have to provide a proof that we move to Canada after my spouse receives PR. How would we do this?
Also, it says that I need a proof that I will financially support my spouse. I can't work outside of Canada, so is it possible to show that I have enough money in my bank account to provide for my spouse? What is the required amount?
Thank you!
 

armoured

VIP Member
Feb 1, 2015
17,144
8,798
It's perfectly fine and not noticeably longer. Main thing is to show your intent to return to Canada. Read up on this a bit, you'll need to show where you intend to go and things like job and housing searches help.

There is no formal amount required. Savings and ability and intent of both you and your spouse to work will also be taken into consideration (you can support by work experience, qualifications, etc). Your plan does not need to be particularly formal.
 
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99emi

Newbie
Jan 9, 2021
3
1
It's perfectly fine and not noticeably longer. Main thing is to show your intent to return to Canada. Read up on this a bit, you'll need to show where you intend to go and things like job and housing searches help.

There is no formal amount required. Savings and ability and intent of both you and your spouse to work will also be taken into consideration (you can support by work experience, qualifications, etc). Your plan does not need to be particularly formal.
Thank you very much
 
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canuck78

VIP Member
Jun 18, 2017
55,461
13,470
Hello everyone, the Canada website says that Canadian citizens can sponsor their spouse while living outside of Canada. I live with my husband in Poland untill he finishes studying, after this I plan on moving back to Canada with him.
I'm wondering if anyone actually tried sponsoring your spouse while both of you are outside of Canada? How much harder and longer is this process? Is it worse doing it?
The website also says that I have to provide a proof that we move to Canada after my spouse receives PR. How would we do this?
Also, it says that I need a proof that I will financially support my spouse. I can't work outside of Canada, so is it possible to show that I have enough money in my bank account to provide for my spouse? What is the required amount?
Thank you!
When is he finishing his studies? Intent to return requires quite a lot of proof because many haven’t actually relocated.
 

screech339

VIP Member
Apr 2, 2013
7,887
552
Category........
Visa Office......
Vegreville
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
14-08-2012
AOR Received.
20-11-2012
Med's Done....
18-07-2012
Interview........
17-06-2013
LANDED..........
17-06-2013
Hello everyone, the Canada website says that Canadian citizens can sponsor their spouse while living outside of Canada. I live with my husband in Poland untill he finishes studying, after this I plan on moving back to Canada with him.
I'm wondering if anyone actually tried sponsoring your spouse while both of you are outside of Canada? How much harder and longer is this process? Is it worse doing it?
The website also says that I have to provide a proof that we move to Canada after my spouse receives PR. How would we do this?
Also, it says that I need a proof that I will financially support my spouse. I can't work outside of Canada, so is it possible to show that I have enough money in my bank account to provide for my spouse? What is the required amount?
Thank you!
and to add canuck78, there have been cases whereby the PR status was revoked at the border since the sponsor or applicant wasn't finish with his/her education studies outside Canada. The border agent basically told the sponsor to apply again then they are ready to move and settle in Canada. Not to land and then leave to finish education and then come back and settle. PR status are issued with the intent of actually moving to Canada and settling. Not to soft land and return to finish their education.
 

screech339

VIP Member
Apr 2, 2013
7,887
552
Category........
Visa Office......
Vegreville
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
14-08-2012
AOR Received.
20-11-2012
Med's Done....
18-07-2012
Interview........
17-06-2013
LANDED..........
17-06-2013
I had a case whereby a mutual friend of ours, a Canadian sponsor, spent too much time outside Canada (inland) that their application was rejected on that account alone. Since this was an inland sponsor, they has no appeal. They had to redo the whole inland application all over again. I warned this person not to abuse the inland requirements of sponsor and this person refused to listen to me. Of course in the end he/she learned it the hard way.
 
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99emi

Newbie
Jan 9, 2021
3
1
When is he finishing his studies? Intent to return requires quite a lot of proof because many haven’t actually relocated.
He finishes them in 2021 this summer, so what can be used as proof that we are going to move to Canada?
 

MJSPARV

Hero Member
Sep 17, 2020
406
251
He finishes them in 2021 this summer, so what can be used as proof that we are going to move to Canada?
We applied in Jan when my husband was still in school out of Canada. Things we included as proof of intent to return:

- detailed list of jobs applied to (included date applied, any interviews etc - he'd applied to 20-30 jobs and had had interviews or screening exams with 4 or 5 when we submitted the application)
- proof of bank accounts in Canada
- we wrote a letter detailing when he'd be done his program
- mentioned we'd applied for our daughter's citizenship certificate
- there were a few other minor things I'm blanking on without looking at the application

That was enough for us to get SA, BUT we're still in the midst of the process. My husband did get a job and repatriated to Canada last month (and I'm with him on a visitor visa) and once we were here we sent in his job offer letter and copy of the lease to IRCC via webform.
 
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armoured

VIP Member
Feb 1, 2015
17,144
8,798
He finishes them in 2021 this summer, so what can be used as proof that we are going to move to Canada?
Good suggestions from @MJSPARV. You can add housing searches, plans to live, spouse looking to get Canadian qualifications, moving arrangements, other admin arrangements, etc.

Since you say he is finishing this summer, you can apply now and then - importantly - travel to Canada on ETA for him (Polish citizen?) and then advise IRCC you have moved to Canada. (Less likely they'll question your intent to return if ... you've already returned).

You could also consider travelling to Canada and then applying inland. This would be most applicable if you will both stay in Canada. Apply for OWP at same time (only available for inlad applicants) - right now not clear how long it will take to get OWP but may give some extra months of right to work and possibly even health care.
 
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