US outland applicants' thread :)

[maverick.dexter]

Someone else just reported having the channeler version of their FBI record being rejected. To be safe, I'd suggest that you order a copy from the FBI directly now so that if they do ask you for them, you will have cut off some of the waiting time. It will cost an extra $18 to do so, but it seems a modest price to pay against the risk of a 3+ month delay in the process.

Hi Computergreek! can you advice me on how to order fbi clearance certificate? I live in US thanks

 

[MisterDBarton]

Hi Computergreek! can you advice me on how to order fbi clearance certificate? I live in US thanks

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/background-checks/submitting-an-identification-record-request-to-the-fbi

 

[epilobium]

Is there a spreadsheet for US outland spousal cases being processed in Ottawa?

 

[simb]

Is there a spreadsheet for US outland spousal cases being processed in Ottawa?

even i have the same question..

there should be one

 

[LeisaP]

Im not in this thread, but i have a sort of off topic question that i imagine people in the US thread may be able to answer..

im flying from mexico to calgary, and us airways has by far the cheapest flights.

has anyone flown with them? are they a good airline...?

any replies would be much appreciated,

thanks

 

[cgagnon]

Im not in this thread, but i have a sort of off topic question that i imagine people in the US thread may be able to answer..

im flying from mexico to calgary, and us airways has by far the cheapest flights.

has anyone flown with them? are they a good airline...?

any replies would be much appreciated,

thanks

From my experience us airways is better than a lot of other airline i pick them hands down before united

 

[LeisaP]

From my experience us airways is better than a lot of other airline i pick them hands down before united

great!! thats very good to hear,
ive heard a few good things about them now and they seem to be have very reasonable prices, so i think i will go ahead and fly with them.

thanks for your reply!

 

[maverick.dexter]

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/background-checks/submitting-an-identification-record-request-to-the-fbi

thanks a lot misterDbarton! I have 1 more question where do i get the fingerprints done?

 

[Isometry]

Most police stations will do fingerprinting. I called mine to ask about it, and they did it for something like $10. Took about 15 minutes, from parking, to finding the right floor of the building, to getting done and out.

 

[sfp123]

Hello everyone!

Just thought I should chime in here with my first post. My partner (same gender) and I are just starting the process of applying for her to get a PR as my spouse. Holy schmoley it's overwhelming! I have been living in the US for 4 years, and was trying to find a way to stay here for a couple more years so she could keep her great job for longer before we moved. Alas, I wasn't able to get sponsored for a work visa, and so we have decided to just come to Canada (which we were going to do eventually anyway). At least Canada will recognize our relationship! Unfortunately I have to leave the country by November, but obviously she won't be approved yet, so we are facing some time apart, which neither of us is happy about. I know she could come to Canada as a visitor but really we can't afford for her not to be working.

I am wondering how long it takes most couples to complete the whole application for filing. Anyone want to chime in with what to expect? Is it realistic to think that you can assemble it all, start to finish, and mail it off within a month? (I know it depends on how much time you have to put into it, but I'm still interested to hear what other couples have found.)

I am also wondering how to know when you have enough "proof". I have seen lists of what people submit on here... you all are extremely thorough!! I can understanding the feeling of "better safe than sorry" when it comes to submitting documentation, but I am wondering at what point it is actually just overkill. Do you know what I mean? Do they really need/want hundreds of photos and emails and letters and bank statements, or what? How common is it for legitimate relationships to get denied?

Thanks for any replies in advance! This forum is a fabulous resource.

Sarah

 

[computergeek]

Just thought I should chime in here with my first post. My partner (same gender) and I are just starting the process of applying for her to get a PR as my spouse. Holy schmoley it's overwhelming! I have been living in the US for 4 years, and was trying to find a way to stay here for a couple more years so she could keep her great job for longer before we moved. Alas, I wasn't able to get sponsored for a work visa, and so we have decided to just come to Canada (which we were going to do eventually anyway). At least Canada will recognize our relationship! Unfortunately I have to leave the country by November, but obviously she won't be approved yet, so we are facing some time apart, which neither of us is happy about. I know she could come to Canada as a visitor but really we can't afford for her not to be working.

I assume your partner is a US Citizen. If she can qualify for a NAFTA position, she could look for work in Canada - it doesn't require the employer do anything other than provide a job description and an offer. As long as the job itself qualifies under NAFTA and she has the skills necessary for the job, she takes the job description, offer letter, evidence she has the necessary qualifications, work permit application, two photos, and $150 to a POE and picks up her work permit. Then she has legal status in Canada to work and you can be together.

I am wondering how long it takes most couples to complete the whole application for filing. Anyone want to chime in with what to expect? Is it realistic to think that you can assemble it all, start to finish, and mail it off within a month? (I know it depends on how much time you have to put into it, but I'm still interested to hear what other couples have found.)

The most time-consuming thing is the FBI clearance letter. It can require up to 4 months to obtain. What you might consider doing is obtaining an FBI channeler letter (which takes a few days) and submit that with your application while you get the real FBI clearance letter (on tamper-proof paper, no less) and forward it once you have your file number.

Other than that, it may depend upon how much you are willing to spend - I obtained a certified copy of our marriage certificate in two days by paying an extra $10, which I considered to be a bargain versus the normal 3-4 weeks they quoted. But go through and make a list of everything you will need to request and start requesting it. When you have everything else (birth certificates, prior marriage/divorce certificates, police clearance certificates) get the immigration physical because that is only good for 12 months. Police certificates must have been issued within the past 3 months.

I am also wondering how to know when you have enough "proof". I have seen lists of what people submit on here... you all are extremely thorough!! I can understanding the feeling of "better safe than sorry" when it comes to submitting documentation, but I am wondering at what point it is actually just overkill. Do you know what I mean? Do they really need/want hundreds of photos and emails and letters and bank statements, or what? How common is it for legitimate relationships to get denied?

The way I try to approach it is to look at the story the evidence tells - does it show your relationship? Will someone in Ottawa or LA looking at your file look at it and deem that you are a genuine couple? If it does, then you're done. It's not about quantity, it's about quality - about the story it tells.

Good luck!

 

[Tullysgirl]

Is there a spreadsheet for US outland spousal cases being processed in Ottawa?

I've seen spreadsheets based on the month apps were sent not by VO. I'm an VO Ottawanian That is, I think I am....sponsorship going to Missasagua then my app is going to Ottawa....

 

[Tullysgirl]

Does anyone have any information on WHEN/IF to apply for Dual Citizenship?

I'd think being once a PR, can't apply for citizenship for 7 yrs...but should I let the US know that I want to keep my citizenship....I won't be living back there again in the forseeable future...and don't want to be "booted"....

If I'm unemployed/a stay at home mom, I won't need to pay taxes, right?

Good cow...I'm sending in our app in 2 days and this last minute stuff is boggeling me...FORGIVE ME!! ??? Just thought, "OH NO! What if I need to send it at the same time I apply for PR!?"

It's 3 am...I should go back to bed. LOL

 

[Rose2D2]

Does anyone have any information on WHEN/IF to apply for Dual Citizenship?

I'd think being once a PR, can't apply for citizenship for 7 yrs...but should I let the US know that I want to keep my citizenship....I won't be living back there again in the forseeable future...and don't want to be "booted"....

If I'm unemployed/a stay at home mom, I won't need to pay taxes, right?

Good cow...I'm sending in our app in 2 days and this last minute stuff is boggeling me...FORGIVE ME!! ??? Just thought, "OH NO! What if I need to send it at the same time I apply for PR!?"

It's 3 am...I should go back to bed. LOL

I don't think it's 7 years in Canada like it is for the US. I think that you just have to live in Canada for 3 years in a 4 year time period.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizenship/become-eligibility.asp

And as for whether or not you want to keep your US citizenship, I guess that's up to you. My husband and I talked about it, and I'm going to keep it so that our kids have the opportunity to be dual-citizens and have easy access to both countries in the future (and not have to do what we're doing!). Of course, we don't have kids yet, so our situation is a little different. I also just think it'd be cool to be able to say that I'm a citizen of two countries

 

[Isometry]

Does anyone have any information on WHEN/IF to apply for Dual Citizenship?

I'd think being once a PR, can't apply for citizenship for 7 yrs...but should I let the US know that I want to keep my citizenship....I won't be living back there again in the forseeable future...and don't want to be "booted"....

If I'm unemployed/a stay at home mom, I won't need to pay taxes, right?

Good cow...I'm sending in our app in 2 days and this last minute stuff is boggeling me...FORGIVE ME!! ??? Just thought, "OH NO! What if I need to send it at the same time I apply for PR!?"

It's 3 am...I should go back to bed. LOL

To apply for Canadian citizenship, you only have to have been in Canada for 3 of the past 4 years, no need to wait 7. As far as I know, you can't lose US citizenship without explicitly saying that you want to give it up.

As far as taxes, Canada and the US could both theoretically tax you, but they've also got an agreement in place to ensure that dual citizens and expats won't be taxed twice. I *think* that you end up paying whatever income tax is higher between the two counties, but that'd usually be Canada anyway. Of course, if you don't have income, then that probably doesn't apply.

Personally, I'm going to be keeping my US citizenship, gotta get them all! I don't think there's any real disadvantage to having two or three citizenships, except minor things like having to renew multiple passports.