Family Sponsorship - American Married to Canadian Living Apart - Please Help!

[Dreamymom]

I am a U.S. citizen who married my Canadian husband in Ontario last summer while visiting.  We have been together for over 3 years and have visited between our two countries but have never lived in the same place.  We're trying to do it right but the financial aspect keeps getting in the way.  He is a truck driver so he goes back and forth across the border and I have been trying to get there legally to live in Canada and put my kids in school there.  He owns his own house and is self-employed.  I am temporarily unemployed due to the poor economy in the state I live in and he is basically supporting both households but he doesn't make enough financially to do this AND sponsor me and my kids to move there.  I already got FBI clearances and fingerprint checks done but have not had any medical checks and we haven't submitted any paperwork.  We've been in limbo now for over a year (our first anniversary was in July).  Is there anything we can do to get things started so we can at least live in the same place legally?  How much does it cost just to get the paperwork started and could we live together as long as it was in process?  Is there anything else we can to do to be together?  I did get a job offer or I could work for my husband (if that's legal since he's self-employed).  Do you know if that's allowed?  I also have heard I could stay there for 6 months but I can't afford to maintain a residence in the states and not be here.  I also have two kids that I need to keep in school.  Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you!!!!!

[bundori]

Sorry I wouldn't be able to help ans thats the reason why i am here too... to get the legal questions answered.  i note that you got the fbi finger printing clearance done.  can you tell me what you exeactly did?  I 've been confused about that.

thanks

[tamee]

hi dreamy, i am in the same boat, my husband is from ontario and a truck driver but i work and my kids take meds here so this prevents me from moving, but there are two ways you can do your application. Inland and outland. Inland you can go and live with your husband and the kids can goto school when you get AIP (Approval in Principle) and i am not certain on the time frame for the aip but the whole process for inland app is about 12 months give or take a few, and outland is 3-8 months (varies on circumstances)

read the frequently asked questions on this link
will be invaluable.
http://www.canadavisa.com/canadian-immigration-faq--family-sponsorship.html

the medicals are expensive, especially if you have 2 or 3 kids like me, so im getting mine done in canada.    http://www.cic.gc.ca/dmp-md/medical.aspx



also the background checks are only good for 3 months, so you need to send in your application within that time period or you will need to redo them.

this site has all the forms and the immigration guide, print it all out and read over it thoroughly.

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

im still in the process myself but if you need any more help, ill be glad to help in any way i can and everyone here will help as well.

also my disclaimer...i am not a lawyer or a professional immigration worker so everything i type is only from what i have read. If something is incorrect please let me know so i will be aware of it the next time.

Thank  you and good luck to you and your family.