Getting a head start on application

[ianmyers]

Hi All, i hope everyone is well. I am from the UK and this July i will be marrying my canadian fiance. From there she will be sponsoring me to stay. Is there any advice people can give me to speed up the process once we have a marrage certificate..

I was thinking of applying for my criminal records check now. Can this be done online?

Will it speed the process up if our application is processed in the UK? if so, can i remain in Canada duing this time? I am currently in the UK working but i will be coming to canada for a week in march and then leaving my job and coming over in June before the wedding. Can i tell immigration my reasons for coming to canada or will that be a problem for me?

I will be sure to keep this topic update with anything I find out so please if anyone wants to add then please do. I knwo there must eb people with similar experiences.

Hope to hear from you all soon.

Ian

[RobsLuv]

Good questions!  Yes, it will speed up processing to apply through London, as opposed to applying "inland" and having your application processed within Canada.  "Outland" processing through London takes from 2-8 months total, with another month at the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga where they assess the eligibility of your sponsor before the file is transferred to London.  Inland processing takes at least 6 months to get to first stage approval, and another 6-12 months after to finalize.  If there are any complications, the application goes to the local CIC office for processing and that can take years, depending on how busy they are.

Your ability to stay in Canada depends on you maintaining  your legal temporary status - not on the fact that you have a PR ap in process . . . although that does help you get your temporary status extended!  Don't tell immigration your reasons for entering the country when you come for the wedding - they could easily decide that you are a risk for overstay and refuse you entry!  You need a valid reason for entering, and proof of your intent to return.  Once you're in Canada, you're authorized to stay for up to six months, and if you get a stamp in your passport proving your entry date, you can apply to extend your stay - from within Canada - once you're married and your PR application is ready to go.  You will have to submit your extension application, with the proper proofs of your marriage and your PR ap, so that it's received by Immigration Canada BEFORE the status you're given on entry expires.  Track the mailing and get delivery confirmation - getting your extension ap to them before your status expires gives you "implied status" to remain in Canada until they make a decision on the extension - about 100 days.  So even if you don't hear back before your status expires, as long as they got the ap before it expired, you're okay to stay . . . "stay" being the operative word.  If you leave, your "implied status" leaves with you and you'll have to go through an entry exam again in order to come back.

Also, don't apply for your criminal clearances too early - they need to be no older than three months when you submit the application.  Don't know if that can be done online - depends on the issuing agency.  Also, you can get your medical done in Canada once you're here  - they're valid for a year.

[Baloo]

Hi All, i hope everyone is well. I am from the UK and this July i will be marrying my canadian fiance. From there she will be sponsoring me to stay. Is there any advice people can give me to speed up the process once we have a marrage certificate..

I was thinking of applying for my criminal records check now. Can this be done online?

Will it speed the process up if our application is processed in the UK? if so, can i remain in Canada duing this time?

Police checks in the UK - take a look here https://www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q542.htm
Forms and more information are here http://www.acpo.police.uk/certificates.asp
The police certificate should not be more than three months old when you apply, it doesn't matter if you request it before or after your marriage. UK Police checks are not available online.

Applying "outland" (processed via London) is faster than "inland" - BTW these terms have nothing to do with where you are.
You can apply outland while staying in Canada, that is if you are allowed in, there are rules you know:)
An important point - Outland applications do have an appeal process, I believe that Inland applications do not.  

I am currently in the UK working but i will be coming to canada for a week in march and then leaving my job and coming over in June before the wedding. Can i tell immigration my reasons for coming to canada or will that be a problem for me?

On your trip you will be a visitor to Canada, so you need to prove to Canadian immigration that you will return to the UK.
Remember you have no "right" to enter Canada, not even if you are married.

Current processing times for London are here http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/international/05-fc-spouses.asp#europe

From the UK you don't need a visa, six months is the max on one stay, but immigration can set the time if they want to.

Once you are in Canada you can apply to extend your stay.
You are not allowed to work in Canada without a permit, as a visitor you must not work.
BTW The medicals are less expensive in Canada.

Added info. Processing time at Mississauga http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/canada/process-in.asp#sponsorship

I am sure you will have other questions, there are plenty of helpful people here.
Apologies for any duplicate information...

[ianmyers]

Thanks for your responses so far! Very useful information and very much appreciated!