Spousal Sponsorship - outland Buffalo

[wert]

Hi everyone!

While reviewing the application package we stumbled upon a few questions which we listed below.

Facts about myself:
German citizen
Study Permits:
- Initial Study Permit: May 2009 - Dec. 2009
- 1st Study Permit extension: Sep. 2009 - Aug. 2010
- 2nd extension and current Study Permit: early Sep. 2010 - end Sep. 2011

Married in Hawaii

Husband:
Canadian Permanent Resident

Questions:
1) We are planning to submit the application to CPC-M within the next month or 2.
   Do I qualify to submit my PR application to the Regional Program Centre in Buffalo as I am currently in Canada with a study permit as mentioned above?

2) As we got married in Hawaii, USA we were wondering if the certified copy of the Certificate of Marriage we received from the Department of Health (Hawaii) is sufficient?
   Or does the Certificate of Marriage need to be authenticated by a canadian government office?

3) Which regional specific form shall I use when submitting the PR application to the Regional Program Centre in Buffalo?
   IMM 3910 (United States) as the Regional Program Centre is in Buffalo (it includes the preferred interview location) or IMM 3901 (West Europe) as I am a German national?

4) I am also in the process of having my surname changed in my passport to my husband's surname. Unfortunately the processes takes months before I will receive the new passport.
   Therefore my question is if it is possible to submit the PR application with my current passport and provide the new passport details at a later date during the PR application process?
   Will that have any effect on the processing time?

Thanks a lot in advance!!

[Leon]

1) You qualify for processing in Buffalo.

On IMM1344A, see http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM1344EA.pdf in section C, person being sponsored, in question 6b, you would answer Yes and in 6c you would answer Yes.

In IMM0008, see http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/imm0008egen.pdf you would write Buffalo in the Visa office field at the top.

2) Your marriage certificate should be fine.

3) If you want processing in the US, you use the US specific forms.

4) It shouldn't be a problem.  Have you legally changed your name in the province where you live?  You should do that and include the name change papers.

[wert]

Hi Leon,

Thank you for the very quick response!

But I do have one question to your reply on 4):
Is it possible to have my name legally changed in BC without changing it in my passport first?
It's the process of having it changed in my passport which unfortunately takes months.

As mentioned I am here on a study permit and according to ICBC I can have my name changed on my Drivers Licence with just the marriage certificate.
So would I need to apply for a legal name change in BC if I already have my BC Drivers License in my married name and the process for having it changed in my passport is in progress?

And one last question, what name do I use for my PR application seeing as I wish to apply before it is changed in my passport.


Thanks again!

[PMM]

Hi

1) You qualify for processing in Buffalo.

On IMM1344A, see http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM1344EA.pdf in section C, person being sponsored, in question 6b, you would answer Yes and in 6c you would answer Yes.

In IMM0008, see http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/imm0008egen.pdf you would write Buffalo in the Visa office field at the top.

2) Your marriage certificate should be fine.

3) If you want processing in the US, you use the US specific forms.

4) It shouldn't be a problem.  Have you legally changed your name in the province where you live?  You should do that and include the name change papers.

1.  You should note that the OP wasn't admitted for a year on his initial entry.

[kelKel]

They still may process it.    My bf had vacationed in Canada before numerous times.  Had a one year work permit then 6 months visitor (not extended) and then another 1 year permit and they processed in Buffalo.