When's the soonest my husband can apply to sponsor me?

[mitch24]

Hi, I recently got married with my bf, a Canadian citizen, in Toronto. My work permit expired 3 months ago and I applied for a tourist visa before it expired, and my application is still pending.

Just wondering how soon can he apply to sponsor me and do I need to cancel my tourist application? Can I also apply for an open work permit along with the sponsorship?

Sorry if this has been asked a lot!

 

[keesio]

If you are married, he is eligible to sponsor you ASAP. You don't need to cancel your tourist application.

 

[mitch24]

Can he do it before our marriage certificate arrives? We just married very recently...

It also says I need to show my current status in Canada, or out of status documentation. How do I provide them that detail? Will my expired work permit suffice? I didn't receive anything when I applied for tourist.

How do we also prove that we've had a relationship since 2012? All we ever had back then were bad pictures!

 

[keesio]

A marriage certificate is an essential document for your application. You need to wait for it. The application takes some time to put together. Most likely your certificate will arrive before you have your application ready.

Your marriage certificate is the strongest document you can provide to prove your relationship. However photos help... especially wedding ceremony and reception photos. Do you at least have those?

 

[screech339]

I would also suggest you apply to get your FBI police clearance while you get your application put together. It may arrive in time for your application to be submitted with it too.

Screech339

 

[screech339]

Also have your husband call CRA to get a recent copy of Option C printout and printouts of all income slips. This is also require a couple of weeks to get. I had to delay submitting my application when I realized I didn't have option C printout for the application.

 

[keesio]

Yes, and medicals too.

mitch - your issue isn't if your spouse can sponsor you (he can), it is getting all the necessary documents you and your sponsor need to submit with the application.

 

[screech339]

Yes, and medicals too.

mitch - your issue isn't if your spouse can sponsor you (he can), it is getting all the necessary documents you and your sponsor need to submit with the application.

Medicals can be done pretty much anytime. You would have to go to a CIC pre-approved doctor to get the examination done. Make a call and see how soon you can get the medical done. When I called the doctor for my wife, the earliest appointment was 4 weeks.

Getting the medical done will not hold up the application but the sooner you get the medical done, the better. My wife medical was done in July and we submitted the application in August.

One option is to not do the medical until the 1st stage is completed. Right now it is about 11 months. Pretty much pointless to do the medical now if you won't get AIP 11 months later when it takes another 8 months for 2nd stage. Medical results are normally good for 1 year from date of examination. With the numbers of 11 months for 1st stage and another 8 months for 2nd stage, I would consider not doing the medical until you get pass 1st stage.

 

[mitch24]

O wow thank you for all your comments! This has greatly helped!

 

[steerpike]

The medical is only valid for 12 months. At current wait times you are cutting it pretty close if you do your medicals first and submit with the initial application. For us, it was longer than 12 months from the time we got our application together to the time they requested medicals. CIC does recommend doing your medicals early, but I think that is based on old wait times of 6 months.

 

[corbs]

Can he do it before our marriage certificate arrives? We just married very recently...

It also says I need to show my current status in Canada, or out of status documentation. How do I provide them that detail? Will my expired work permit suffice? I didn't receive anything when I applied for tourist.

How do we also prove that we've had a relationship since 2012? All we ever had back then were bad pictures!

To show your status i think you could show your expired wp and your receipt for your visitor visa.

 

[automaton82]

A marriage certificate is an essential document for your application. You need to wait for it. The application takes some time to put together. Most likely your certificate will arrive before you have your application ready.

Your marriage certificate is the strongest document you can provide to prove your relationship. However photos help... especially wedding ceremony and reception photos. Do you at least have those?

I did not wait for the marriage certificate, I just mailed it with a copy of the marriage license and a note indicating I'd send it in later to join with the app. Others have done the same and have not had an issue, because (I'm inland) processing won't occur for another 10 months anyways, and they will have it at that time.