Where do we even begin?

[CJD181]

So, long story short;

My wife is from New York. I'm a canadian citizen. We just got married a couple days ago here in Ontario and are eager to be able to finally live together... Although!...

We have no idea where to even begin with this lengthy, seemingly complex, process!

I'm trying to avoid the use of an immigration lawyer/consultant as they are costly.

We've looked at how to do this process for quite a long time now and just can't seem to put All the pieces in perfect order. We're also pretty paranoid that we'll forget to do something or leave critical information out on accident.

So, here I am turning to the community just hoping that you guys/gals can possibly help us through this.

A little extra info:
We wish to apply via outland for her to move from the USA to Canada (Ontario specifically).
I'm 23, born and raised in Ontario.
She's 23, born and raised in New York.
Neither of have been previously married.
We were married in Ontario on Nov 17th, 2014.
I will be more than happy to disclose any further information needed to help.

Thank you in advance.

 

[draxz1289]

Hey,

This is a good place to start

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/fc.asp#immigrate

The one which really helps us is the over all guide

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/3900ETOC.asp

and also country specific guide found in the first link.

 

[bartjones]

Yep, draxz1289 is right. Just download the application forms and guides and start wading through it all. You'll have questions along the way that you can post here. Good luck.

 

[CJD181]

Thanks for the quick replies!

That's great. Is there different forms for applying via outland? Or are we filling out all those forms regardless if it's an inland or outland application? I guess we don't get the difference in application process between inland vs. outland

We just want to make sure she can stay in new York and work there during the processing periods

 

[keesio]

So, long story short;

My wife is from New York. I'm a canadian citizen. We just got married a couple days ago here in Ontario and are eager to be able to finally live together... Although!...

We have no idea where to even begin with this lengthy, seemingly complex, process!

I'm trying to avoid the use of an immigration lawyer/consultant as they are costly.

We've looked at how to do this process for quite a long time now and just can't seem to put All the pieces in perfect order. We're also pretty paranoid that we'll forget to do something or leave critical information out on accident.

So, here I am turning to the community just hoping that you guys/gals can possibly help us through this.

A little extra info:
We wish to apply via outland for her to move from the USA to Canada (Ontario specifically).
I'm 23, born and raised in Ontario.
She's 23, born and raised in New York.
Neither of have been previously married.
We were married in Ontario on Nov 17th, 2014.
I will be more than happy to disclose any further information needed to help.

Thank you in advance.

Assuming your wife is a US citizen and you have no major "red flags", it should be a smooth ride and no need to pay anyone to do the application for you. US citizens applying outland are currently being fast tracked and the timelines are roughly 3 - 6 months from submission of application to getting CoPR (landing paper).

The first thing your wife needs to do ASAP is get her police (FBI) clearance letter. Currently it is taking up to 12 weeks. Some people suggest submitting the application without it and then forwarding it to CIC later when you get it. Up to you if you want to do that or submit a complete application up front.

Otherwise follow the guides and you should be good. Also hang out in this thread:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/-t106068.0.html

Good luck!

 

[keesio]

Thanks for the quick replies!

That's great. Is there different forms for applying via outland? Or are we filling out all those forms regardless if it's an inland or outland application? I guess we don't get the difference in application process between inland vs. outland

We just want to make sure she can stay in new York and work there during the processing periods

yes there are different forms for inland and outland. The URL draxz provided is for outland.

And yes she can stay in New York while she waits for her outland application. I sponsored my wife from New York via Outland and she lived and worked in NY until she got her landing paper and then joined me up here.

 

[draxz1289]

As mentioned there is a different in forms for outland and inland, so thread carefully.

Also as mentioned the FBI clearance takes the longest so you should apply for that first.

 

[commonlawsponsor]

Also it might take you longer to prepare your application that expected. It might even take you up to 12 weeks.

Another thing to do right away is order your marriage certificate.

Collect evidence of your relationship (there are some questions in the forms that deal with this).

One of the last things you want to do is get a medical done (although since your wife is American, you shouldn't come close to the 1 year mark for processing). But phone some panel physicians, see how far in advance you need to make appointments and how much it will cost. A lot of people get them done while in Canada visiting their spouse because it is cheaper here. So if your wife plans to visit you shortly before you submit your application, she can do the medical then.

 

[Rob_TO]

That's great. Is there different forms for applying via outland? Or are we filling out all those forms regardless if it's an inland or outland application?

Outland application package: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/fc.asp
You will fill out ALL forms except for a few that won't apply to your situation (like use of representative, stat declaration of common-law and additional dependents).

Inland application package: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/spouse.asp
Do NOT fill out or even look at this one if you are doing outland!!

 

[DuberBlue]

Hey CJD181,

As said, just keep posting your questions to this thread. Since my situation sounds very similar to yours (Canadian, American wife) I'll keep checking back on it and offer any advice I can, though more learned people have already done so.

And, to reinforce what has been stated, for your situation absolutely DO NOT APPLY INLAND By no means does that mean your wife can't stay with you for times on end, it just means your application will be handled by a US office, or, more likely, ultimately transferred to CPP-Ottawa.

 

[CJD181]

Thank you all again for all the replies.

We'll definitely try to get started on this as soon as I get home from work today now. Thanks for the links directly to the outland applications as well.

A couple more questions (I'm sure we'll have a lot more along the way too) :

Since our marriage license has just been sent out 2 days ago, do we have to wait for that to come back to apply for a certificate; and do we need the certificate to apply for anything with immigration? Or is the certificate just part of the "proof of a genuine relationship"?

Do we have to wait for her to get new American documents with her new last name on them before we start any of this?

When applying are we supposed to use her maiden name for everything or her newly taken last name?

 

[draxz1289]

Thank you all again for all the replies.

We'll definitely try to get started on this as soon as I get home from work today now. Thanks for the links directly to the outland applications as well.

A couple more questions (I'm sure we'll have a lot more along the way too) :

Since our marriage license has just been sent out 2 days ago, do we have to wait for that to come back to apply for a certificate; and do we need the certificate to apply for anything with immigration? Or is the certificate just part of the "proof of a genuine relationship"?

Do we have to wait for her to get new American documents with her new last name on them before we start any of this?

When applying are we supposed to use her maiden name for everything or her newly taken last name?

From what I understand its not needed for a spouse to change her maiden name to apply; we didnt

 

[keesio]

Thank you all again for all the replies.

We'll definitely try to get started on this as soon as I get home from work today now. Thanks for the links directly to the outland applications as well.

A couple more questions (I'm sure we'll have a lot more along the way too) :

Since our marriage license has just been sent out 2 days ago, do we have to wait for that to come back to apply for a certificate; and do we need the certificate to apply for anything with immigration? Or is the certificate just part of the "proof of a genuine relationship"?

Do we have to wait for her to get new American documents with her new last name on them before we start any of this?

When applying are we supposed to use her maiden name for everything or her newly taken last name?

You need your marriage certificate.

She must apply using the exact name on her passport. If she wants to apply with her new married last name, she must update the name on her passport first.

Note that she can apply with her maiden name and then update her passport later and inform CIC that she did so and provided a scanned copy of her new passport. CIC will then update her application with her married name.

 

[Souricette]

From what I understand its not needed for a spouse to change her maiden name to apply; we didnt

LOL I hope so! In Quebec nobody change their name when they marry. The law states that you should keep you maiden name unless exeptional circumstances. It's also the case for a lot of country in Europe and South America. So, it would make no sense that you had to change your name to apply for sponsorship!

 

[taffy7]

When you order your marriage certificate order the short and long form . This will take about 6 weeks also to come in. I am saying order both because some forum members have been asked again for the short marriage certificate . I sent the long form and it wasn't a problem.