Bring my wife to Canada from the US

[Marcodisalvo4]

My wife is American and we have moved to Ottawa, Canada for my new job.  I am confused on what to do now. 
Can I apply for my wife as someone living outside Canada since it is is quicker or must I apply for her being in Canada since she is with me in Ottawa? 

Also, is there anyone who can give me a step by step instuction guide of which forms I need and which documents I need? 
I have been on CIC and I am lost as to what to do.  It doesn't seem that hard but it is confusing and I want to make sure that I get it right? 

I have my wife's police certificate from the FBI already but do we need to get the medical done as well to send with our application?

Any help would be appreciated. 

Marco

[Rinnerz]

Okay, first off--since you guys are still very new to all of this--you need to read the sticky thread carefully: http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/spousal-sponsorship-t46995.0.html.

1) As explained in that link above, yes you most certainly can apply outland even if your wife is visiting with you in Canada. Note the terminology, it's important especially when dealing with CIC and approaching your applications: she is not permitted to officially MOVE to Canada with you until she's a PR. Until she gets her PR status, she's a visitor. You'll also need to be mindful about maintaining her status while she is here waiting out the PR process with you.

2) The best advice anyone can give you about the application forms: read the instructions. Over and over again. Past that, any questions specific to your own situation (or about parts of the form that just don't seem clear to you), definitely feel free to ask about here and people will be able to help out.

3) All the forms you'll need for outland: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/fc.asp. It's all broken down there for you. Note the US specific region guide near the end.

4) Follow the document checklist in the US region guide. Yes she needs to get her medical done before you submit your application; proof of the medical is one of the required documents in the checklist. When she gets the medical done, her DMP should give her copy 2 of Medical Report Section A. This is what she'll need to send with the application.

5) About her FBI certificate. That will need to be no more than 3 months old by the time it's received by CIC. Just something to be aware of, because for many people it can take months just to gather all the necessary documentation needed to submit with the application itself.

You have a lot of reading ahead of you, but it's important not to skim over any instructions or the checklist itself. It all seems extremely overwhelming at first, but it's not as bad as it looks. And at least in my case, I've found a lot of my questions answered just by doing a search of the threads in this forum. Hopefully that's enough to get you started, and others may chime in later with further advice. Good luck.

[Baloo]

My wife is American and we have moved to Ottawa, Canada for my new job.  I am confused on what to do now. 
Can I apply for my wife as someone living outside Canada since it is is quicker or must I apply for her being in Canada since she is with me in Ottawa? 

You can also start reading here:

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/spousal-sponsorship-t46995.0.html;msg344291#msg344291

[RobsLuv]

I created a resource for US citizen spousal applicants that can be found at US2Canada.com  I have just updated the site, so a few links might not work right yet - but I'll be working on it throughout the next week or so.  Please visit for information, and let me know if you find any problems I've not discovered, or need any questions answered.

Good Luck

[Jewels]

4)When she gets the medical done, her DMP should give her copy 2 of Medical Report Section A.

5) About her FBI certificate. That will need to be no more than 3 months old by the time it's received by CIC.

A couple of questions.

4 - My DMP didn't give me anything but a receipt.  Do they mail this copy 2 to you, or are they supposed to give it to you straight away?

5- Can you point me to where it says the FBI certificate can be no more than 3 months old?

Thanks.

[CharlieD10]

A couple of questions.

4 - My DMP didn't give me anything but a receipt.  Do they mail this copy 2 to you, or are they supposed to give it to you straight away?

5- Can you point me to where it says the FBI certificate can be no more than 3 months old?

Thanks.

You're supposed to get the copy 2 straight away from the DMP.

From CIC's "Introduction to Police Certificates" page:

Who needs a police certificate?

In general, you and everyone in your family who is 18 years of age or over need to obtain a police certificate. You must obtain a police certificate from each country or territory where you have lived for six consecutive months or longer since reaching the age of 18.

The certificate must have been issued no more than three months before you submit your application.

[Jewels]

Thank you.

[Baloo]

A couple of questions.

4 - My DMP didn't give me anything but a receipt.  Do they mail this copy 2 to you, or are they supposed to give it to you straight away?

5- Can you point me to where it says the FBI certificate can be no more than 3 months old?

Thanks.

The DMP should have given you Medical report section A - IMM1017

[Jewels]

I guess I need to go back to the office to get it, eh?

This is for an inland app if that matters.  I went for the medical check.  She then sent me to have an X-ray and a blood draw.  She said if nothing was wrong with me I wouldn't be hearing from them.  I assumed I was done and that the receipts I was given (one for the medical, one for the X-ray, and one for the blood draw) was what was required for proof.  Oops. 

I just wish this was all over.

[kelKel]

I guess I need to go back to the office to get it, eh?

This is for an inland app if that matters.  I went for the medical check.  She then sent me to have an X-ray and a blood draw.  She said if nothing was wrong with me I wouldn't be hearing from them.  I assumed I was done and that the receipts I was given (one for the medical, one for the X-ray, and one for the blood draw) was what was required for proof.  Oops. 

I just wish this was all over.

For the inland application all that is needed is proof of the Medicals (receipts) there is no form the doctor gives you.