Spousal Sponsorship from Dubai - Better to apply inside or outside of Canada?

[tiffane6]

Hi everyone

My husband and I are planning to move to Canada in December 2017. We are currently based in Dubai, UAE and we're not sure whether to start his PR application now or when we land in December. I have a few questions if someone can please assist?

1) Will he be able to work regardless of which route we take provided that he has a pending application?
2) How would we prove our intent to move to Canada once our application is processed if we chose to apply while in Dubai? Do people tend to sign up to lease agreements at this stage?
3) What would happen if the application was pending if we applied in Dubai but we then arrived in Canada in December? Is it just a matter of letting the Canadian Government know that we are now based in Canada?
3) My husband is a British Citizen and we've been married for 3 years and have a child together. We were considering using an immigration consultant but I imagine that our case is pretty clear cut and we can save on fees if we do it ourselves. Does anyone think it's worth spending the money to get someone with experience to help?
4) I believe we can apply by sending our documents to Ontario and then our case would be transferred to the Dubai consulate after processing?

Thanks so much.

 

[scylla]

1) No - he will only be granted a work permit if he applies inland. The work permit will be approved approximately four months after you submit the application.
2) You don't have to sign an actual lease agreement - but you can provide evidence you're working with a real estate agent to find a place to live. If you have a job offer in Canada - you can show that. Or you can show evidence of contacting employers to search for a role. If you plan to stay with family when you first return, you can include a letter from them confirming they'll be providing housing until you find a place of your own.
3) Yes - you can change your address to Canada. The application would remain an outland application.
3) Not worth it. Do it yourselves.
4) Yes.

 

[tiffane6]

Awesome, thanks so much for your time!