New member - advice on buying a house before arriving

[diplo]

Been married to my (canadian) wife for almost two years. We married in England and having just applied for her PLR visa for England, we've decided that after a job offer in Canada, we might be better off over there.

Thing is my wife is handling looking in to the Visa, but keeps assuring me that buying her sister's house before arriving will speed up the visa process as it means we have a place of residence before arriving.

Unfortunately my wife's heart is a little too big and I'm wondering if she's buying the house to help out her sister more than to speed up the visa.

Would having a place of residence set up before arriving help in anyway with the visa process?

Many thanks.

[Zany]

Hi Diplo,

I'm not 100% certain but I don't think owning a house in advance would carry much weight with Immigration with regard to the application.  It may help in determining that you have a real relationship with your wife but even then, they will be looking for more than that as proof.  Perhaps your wife just wants the security of knowing you have a place to live when you do come to Canada and that's not a bad thing.  I would probably insist on some kind of legal document though if you are the person putting most of the money towards her sister's house.  Call me a cynic but it's better to be safe than sorry.

[ariell]

I'm not really clear where your wife is. In Canada or England? If she is in Canada, then her buying a house will  close to no effect on your application. CIC doesn't care if you rent or own. If she is in England then CIC will expect her to have some plans for establishing herself in Canada, but they certainly don't expect you to go out and buy a house. There are many people that apply while outside of Canada and are approved. You just need to show that you have made reasonable efforts to establish yourself here. A job offer is perfect. Many people will have letters from family saying that they can stay with them until they find a place of their own. Or some proof of contacting landlords about apartments is also fine.

Ultimately, buying the house should be done for the right reasons -- because you want the house and it's a good investment. I don't think it will in anyway speed up your application.

[diplo]

Oops!

Yes we're both in England, that's why I was saying we've just applied for an ILR for (not PLR don't know what happened there) which is the permanent residency visa for the UK.

She's been telling me having a place to reside in on arrival make us look more 'serious' for want of a better term.

Thanks for the help.

[whoopi83]

It may help when you start looking for evidence to send to prove intent to re-establish etc. Otherwise you'll have to arrange a lease or letter from family staing you are both going to stay there etc. 

[rjessome]

Because she is a citizen residing abroad, buying the house will assist in providing proof of her intention to re-settle in Canada when you receive PR.  However, it will not speed up the process.  London is a pretty fast office in terms of immigration.  Take the word "fast" with a grain of salt.  Nothing is truly fast in immigration world!