Moving outside Quebec to apply for spousal sponsorship — need own apartment or can be a roommate?

[lupin13]

I’m a Canadian citizen currently in Quebec and planning to move to Ontario to apply for outland spousal sponsorship for my wife.

Just wondering:

• Do I need to rent my own apartment to show I live outside Quebec, or is it fine if I just share a place (like being a roommate)?
• And while the application is processing, can I travel abroad to visit my wife, or could that cause any issues with my file?

Appreciate any advice from people who’ve done something similar

 

[canuck78]

I’m a Canadian citizen currently in Quebec and planning to move to Ontario to apply for outland spousal sponsorship for my wife.

Just wondering:

• Do I need to rent my own apartment to show I live outside Quebec, or is it fine if I just share a place (like being a roommate)?
• And while the application is processing, can I travel abroad to visit my wife, or could that cause any issues with my file?

Appreciate any advice from people who’ve done something similar

Yes you can live with a roommate. Assume you are also not keeping you home in Quebec. Have you secured a job in Ontario? That would be important. Yes you can go on vacation and visit your spouse. If starting a new job in Ontario you may not have much vacation time for quite a while.

 

[lupin13]

Yes you can live with a roommate. Assume you are also not keeping you home in Quebec. Have you secured a job in Ontario? That would be important. Yes you can go on vacation and visit your spouse. If starting a new job in Ontario you may not have much vacation time for quite a while.

Yes, I’m planning to sublet my apartment in Quebec until July so I can end the lease afterward. I already have a remote job, which allows me to work from anywhere even abroad. Would that still work for the sponsorship process?

 

[canuck78]

Yes, I’m planning to sublet my apartment in Quebec until July so I can end the lease afterward. I already have a remote job, which allows me to work from anywhere even abroad. Would that still work for the sponsorship process?

Your case definitely not standard. You actually will have minimal ties to Ontario and still will have ties to Quebec until July. Will you get added to the lease by the landlord if you rent a room in Ontario? Where is your employer physically located? Do you ever have to go into the office? When you say you want to visit your spouse how long are you wanting to travel? How much time would you spend in Ontario before leaving?

 

[lupin13]

Your case definitely not standard. You actually will have minimal ties to Ontario and still will have ties to Quebec until July. Will you get added to the lease by the landlord if you rent a room in Ontario? Where is your employer physically located? Do you ever have to go into the office? When you say you want to visit your spouse how long are you wanting to travel? How much time would you spend in Ontario before leaving?

Yes, I’ll be added to the lease.
My employer’s physical office is located in Quebec, but I only need to go there about twice a year.
I plan to go abroad for around 3-4 months, try to get my wife a visa and then come back to Canada while waiting for the sponsorship process

 

[canuck78]

Yes, I’ll be added to the lease.
My employer’s physical office is located in Quebec, but I only need to go there about twice a year.
I plan to go abroad for around 3-4 months, try to get my wife a visa and then come back to Canada while waiting for the sponsorship process

How long will you be living in Ontario before you want to leave for 3-4 months?

 

[lupin13]

How long will you be living in Ontario before you want to leave for 3-4 months?

2 months

 

[canuck78]

2 months

May be very tough to prove that you are living in Ontario given what you are proposing and the fact that your employer is in Quebec and primarily doing remote work. You will essentially be spending the majority of the time abroad not in Ontario and have minimal ties to Ontario.

 

[lupin13]

Thanks for your help! What would you suggest in my situation?
So, if I understand correctly, I can’t be abroad while showing my intention to live in Ontario?
Would it be possible to apply from abroad and simply sign a declaration stating that I intend to return to Ontario once my wife gets her permanent residence? Since I’m canadien citizen

 

[canuck78]

Thanks for your help! What would you suggest in my situation?
So, if I understand correctly, I can’t be abroad while showing my intention to live in Ontario?
Would it be possible to apply from abroad and simply sign a declaration stating that I intend to return to Ontario once my wife gets her permanent residence? Since I’m canadien citizen

You can sponsor your spouse while abroad but your major ties remain in Quebec. You would have to prove you will settle outside Quebec. Your best option would be to move to Ontario and actually remain in Ontario while you sponsor your spouse. You still have an ongoing lease in Quebec that you are legally still responsible for and an employer in Quebec but living in Ontario for the whole sponsorship period would go a long way to establishing some proof that you are settling outside of Quebec. Your wife will hopefully able to join you at some point in Ontario and a short vacation is also fine. You should also remain in Ontario and not move back to Quebec right after getting approved.