Hi everyone, I am doing some research before sponsoring my spouse and have a few general questions.
Me: dual Canadian/American citizen, currently living in USA with spouse. (Born and raised in Canada, moved to US to join spouse and eventually naturalized, now we want to go to Canada.)
Spouse: American citizen, living in USA
Married a good long time, over a decade
1. Is there any advantage/disadvantage to sponsoring my spouse while living in the US vs. living in Canada? I am not sure if I should move back to Canada (leaving him in the US), establish residency there, and THEN sponsor him while he waits in the US, or if I should just sponsor him while we both live in the US and wait for his application. E.g. are the processing times different?
2. We had a discharged bankruptcy years ago, is this a problem?
3. Finances: Spouse is the breadwinner/white collar professional, all my work history is food service. I'm sure I could get a job when I move back to Canada, but my spouse will need to get a job, I think, before we can properly afford living expenses. I'm qualified for minimum-wage type jobs. How does this look to immigration? Could we save up a lump of cash before moving to Canada and show that as proof that he won't be a burden, or do I need to have a job in Canada first? What if all we have is our work histories and not a lot of savings?
4. Outland/inland: I see that processing outland is faster. Is there any way for the spouse to move to Canada with me and work while processing inland? Does he need a separate visa, for example? Not sure how this works. I see that inland is slower, but maybe there is an advantage to it.
Thanks for any insight.
To back up a bit: when applying, if applying from abroad, you'll have to demonstrate your 'intent to return' - document that you're serious about moving. They might come back and ask for more info. Moving at some point during the process does address that issue. So whether/how much this might delay things may just depend on how well put together your app is. Probably not a serious delay unless you provide nothing at all. I.e. applying sooner usually better than waiting, unless you're moving quite soon. IMO.
1. The trade-off is between having to wait for the spouse to get PR status (mainly right to work and health care) vs having to live apart vs having to demonstrate/have analyzed your 'intent to return' documentation. As above. While it depends what you want to do/family situation, my suggestion would be to submit application ASAP and you move when it fits your timetable (you as spouse) - if you do that soon enough after applying the intent to return stuff is addressed by having moved.
2. Not vis a vis immigration (unless there's some security/criminal aspect of this); but could for the usual reasons having bankruptcy on record can be difficult in private life (credit checks and in some professions background / bonding requirements).
3. There is no formal financial requirement to sponsor. They'll take into account the work experience of both - for couples where both expect to work, mostly not an issue. (That's from IRCC evaluation - I'm not touching your finances apart from that).
4. You'll hear different opinions. But for your situation with US passport holder as the sponsored party, mostly not critical. I'd suggest you focus on applying sooner rather than later and not worry about what type of app (esp since if you apply sooner, i.e. from USA, it'll be outland.)
Note, as a US citizen, he can come as 'visiting' (you). Main thing is not to show up with all his worldly possessions. He can apply for a work visa adjunct to your sponsorship app, but that may take 4-6 months. Or longer. If any good luck he'd get the PR possibly before that time comes, possibly after.
If he's a professional, check the CUSMA professionals program and if his profession might qualify. That would basically allow him to present at a border with the job offer and get a work visa. (Once he got the PR status, that would no longer be needed). At minimum it may allow him to look for work withotu employers worrying about his ability to get the work visa.