CalebZachary said:
I have a few questions as this is relatively new to Me.
My fiancé lives in Canada. I am in the states. I have two children from a previous relationship I am wanting to bring as well. My fiancé lives with her family in Canada, and doesn't work. I would like to know the process. I am wanting to be able to work there as soon as possible. When should we get married? In the states or Canada? What options do we have so that I can work immediately when there. Will she be able to sponsor us without any income?
Hi there, you can marry your fiancé either in the US or Canada (I'm Canadian and I'm sponsoring my husband who is American and we got married in the US). If I were you I would get married as soon as possible because putting the application together takes a lot of time. You fiancé can sponsor you even if she isn't getting income. There is no income requirement for spousal sponsorship. You fiancé should not be receiving any welfare because if she is then she isn't eligible to sponsor you. As for working here, I'm not sure when you can start working.
The process is as follows:
1) get married
2) do your medical exam (I believe your children have to do it also)
3) get all your documents (certified copy of marriage certificate, proof of medical exam, copy of birth certificate, etc)
4) start filling out the applications (make sure you're filling out only the applications applicable to your sponsor, you, and your children)
5) gather your proof of relationship (this can include: photos, phone bills, text messages, etc)
6) put everything in the order that is on the checklists (there will be two checklists)
7) check and recheck and recheck to make sure you're not missing anything. (Pay all applicable fees: sponsor fee, principle applicant fee, and any fees needed for your children. Put a copy of the receipt in the sponsor's application)
8 ) send your application (I sent it from Canada and used UPS. I paid $41 for it to get there in 3 days).
9) they will email your sponsor saying that they receive your application
10) they will start processing your sponsor's application first and if she is approved to be your sponsor then they will transfer your application to Ottawa (processing her application usually takes about a month)
11) they will then process your application (I've heard for US applications it takes about 4-5 months)
12) if you are approved you will receive COPR in the mail (confirmation of permanent residency)
13) you can come to Canada and show your COPR
14) you will receive your PR card in the mail in Canada
Somebody else please address the question about working in Canada