What do we do from here?

[Noel Wood]

I sponsored my husband (from England), and although we encountered so many different problems with the process, we were able to do it somewhat successfully although we were confused by the end of it. Anyway, we starting travelling back in 2011 while I was on maternity leave, and we have no idea what his current status is in Canada (we was never issued a card of any kind). We are returning to Canada and we would like to know if we'd have to start the process over again, if we'd have to pay all the fees again, and whether or not he'd be able to work right away. Him being able to work is the most important one as he is the bread winner in our family.

 

[scylla]

You'll have to provide more information.

When you say the process was "somewhat successful" - what do you mean by that? Was your husband approved for PR? Was he issued a PR visa in his passport? Did he use that visa to land in Canada and officially become a permanent resident of Canada?

 

[Noel Wood]

I don't think he ever officially became a PR of Canada. I remember sending off all the forms, but then I remember receiving a letter back saying that they needed something else and I don't think we ever provided it. I actually think it was a criminal record check but we weren't able to request it by email or mail from the UK so we were "stuck" (he doesn't have a criminal record by the way). So, he had a temporary sin card and he was working and living legally up until the point his visa expired and we decided to take that opportunity to travel (and I know that sounds shady, but honestly, we were afraid to ask for help in fear of deportation because we rely on him so heavily).

 

[scylla]

Unfortunately this means you will have to start the process again from scratch - including filing out all of the forms, paying the fees and submitting the supporting evidence / documentation.

You don't need a lawyer. Save yourselves the money and do it yourselves.

I would recommend that you move over to the Family Class Sponsorship section of this forum. This is where all of the threads can be found which discuss sponsoring your spouse for PR.

FYI - it's fairly easy to obtain a UK police certificate even if you aren't in the UK. This shouldn't have been a hold up for your application. I'm sure you'll be able to find the help you need through this forum.

There's going to be a bit of a wait before your husband can work. If you apply using the inland process, he will be allowed to work once the application has first stage approval. This is currently taking six months. If you apply outland, he will be allowed to work once the entire process has been finished, he has been approved for PR and he officially become a PR of Canada. If he wishes to work earlier, then he will have to find an employer in Canada who is willing to give him a job offer, that employer will have to obtain an approved LMO (including proving that they advertised the role and were unable to find a Canadian for the role) and then he will have to apply for a work permit. Anyway, wander over to the Family Sponsorship section of the forum and you'll find a lot of useful information there.

Good luck.

 

[zardoz]

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/security/police-cert/europe/united-kingdom.asp tells you how to do it.
It's easy and fast (can be as quick as 2 working days). You can also order duplicate copies for a nominal fee, just in case one gets lost.

 

[NicJohn]

I applied for my uk and Aus police checks from Canada. The uk one took 2 weeks to get to me...

The aus one was another story lol