Spousal Visa 2 Years Requirement

[ezedek]

Hi,

I'm a Canadian citizen who is currently in the Philippines waiting for my wife's landed immigrant spousal class papers to go to Canada. We have three kids.

Here is my question: My mom is old and she wants to see her grandkids. They wouldn't issue my wife a visitor visa, so I'm feeling pressured to get her paperwork in right away. On the other hand, I'm also doing work abroad in Asia. It would put a dent in my career to have to relocate immediately back to Canada.

I was under impression once my wife gets her PR, we basically have to relocate the whole family over there immediately. I'm finding out now that she just has to land and then we can exit back together. Am I correct on this?

I'm also looking at her residency requirement. My understanding is she has to be in Canada for 3 years straight? Correct? Then I saw this: "Time spent outside Canada may also count towards the two years if you are:travelling with your spouse or partner who is a Canadian citizen," What does that mean in practice? Is it possible for me to work abroad for 2-3 years or travel back and forth and spend 3/4 of the year (months wise) abroad with her with me without her getting into trouble with the Canadian government?

 

[floomy]

what CIC officer told me when I landed.
if I travel/live out of Canada with my husband (canadian) , it would count as living in Canada.

so if your wife travel/live outside Canada with you after she lands, it would be fine.

 

[truesmile]

For example, I am a Canadian citizen in the Philippines right now and my wife who has Canadian PR status is with me. Her time here with me still counts towards her PR residency obligation.

Where we take a hit however is every day that she spends outside Canada even though with me, does NOT count towards the residency requirement to apply for Canadian citizenship.

BTW, it's 2 years out of five, not three and it could be two years starting 3 years from now, if you don't mind cutting it close.