Proof of Residency for spousal application!!!

[samgirl]

I was approved to sponsor my husband 8 months ago. We just received a letter from Canadian immigration stating I need to provide evidence of Canadian residency in the form of utility bills, tenancy agreements, bank statements, evidence of employment, etc.. in order for them to complete the processing of his application.
The thing is, I have been living ´exclusively outside of Canada (in the USA with my American husband) for almost 4 years now so I obviously don´t have those documents. When I filled out the sponsorship documents, I checked the Residency Declaration (Section F of the ´Application to Sponsor and Undertaking´) document, stating that I will live in a province or territory other than Quebec once my husband is a permanent resident.
If Immigration knows this, why are they asking for proof of residency?
Are they referring to the span of time I lived in Canada before I moved in the USA?
What should I do here?

Please, any info on this is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Samantha

[cowtown gal]

I think they want proof that you'll move back once your husband gets PR. I've been living outside Canada for nearly 6 years now, so didn't have much but sent a letter from my parents saying we'll be staying with them, some emails between me and some potential employers, letters from the doctor, dentist, etc saying that we are registered with them and they know of our plans to return, etc. Some people say if you can show evidence of your plans to leave where you are currently living, that helps too.

[samgirl]

Thanks for your input. I already sent them a letter from my parents with the main application, stating that we can stay with them when we arrive in Canada. This stuff is tricky; I just had a baby so I'm home with him and have no potential employers lined up;; My husband will have to get set up with a SIN once he's there prior to finding a job - I suppose I could get a letter from my doctor.

Thanks for your help (-:

[cowtown gal]

No problem, happy to help if I could. Only just got my sponsorship approved so well behind you in the process anyway! Good luck and congratulations on your baby! 

[rachel6992]

I've never really lived in Canada, so for us we just included a note from my aunt stating that we were going to stay with her while we looked for an apartment, and they took that a sufficient evidence.

[RobsLuv]

You are required to prove that you intend to re-settle in Canada, and accompany your husband back to Canada, if he's approved for PR.  Without that proof, they won't approve the application.  The information is on page 8 of the sponsor's guide

"Sponsors not residing in Canada must provide evidence that they reside exclusively outside Canada on the date of giving the undertaking and will reside in Canada at the time their sponsored spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner and/or children become permanent residents of Canada. Evidence that they will reside in Canada may include one or more of the following:

    * letter from an employer;
    * letter of acceptance to a Canadian educational institution;
    * proof of having rented/bought a dwelling in Canada;
    * reasonable plans for re-establishing in Canada or severing ties to the other country.