Needing some assistance, please

[Adam_Dee]

Long story made short...
My husband & I have been married since 1999. We live in Texas/USA.
He gained his US citizenship December 2015

Now we are discussing the possibility of moving to Canada (Ontario) to be near his family.
But we're unsure of even where to begin.

First of all,
We also have custody of our 4.5yo grandson (he calls us Mom/Dad). While both bio have said they would sign papers for us to adopt, at this time we have decided to not go that route just yet.
Now that we are thinking about moving we are wondering if we'll have to adopt before we move or if we can wait until a later date.
I know in his custody papers it states that we can get basically get his passport & take him anywhere.

Second,
Being as my husband is here with us how does sponsorship work?
Would he be able to stay here with us until we get permanent residence or whatever?

Next,
I know it is based in USA, but maybe someone can answer this as well...
I'm on disability. I think I read somewhere that I could continue getting my check once we move. Does anyone have knowledge of this?
(I do know I was told I'd want to drop the supplemental insurance as it wouldn't be useful.)

- Is there a list showing step-by-step process as well as fees?
- What is the current wait time?

 

[BamBamBing]

I can only answer to your 2nd question:

As a Canadian citizen, he can sponsor you even if he stays in the US. The only additional step is to include proofs he will relocate to Canada once your PR is approved.

On the CIC website, you will find a checklist of all the items you have to provide and a guide with explanation for each of them. (The step-by-step info you are looking for)

 

[MaryL]

There are threads on here for Americans immigrating, with Canadian spouses. You will probably find all your answers or repost questions there. Best Wishes

 

[canuck_in_uk]

First of all,
We also have custody of our 4.5yo grandson (he calls us Mom/Dad). While both bio have said they would sign papers for us to adopt, at this time we have decided to not go that route just yet.
Now that we are thinking about moving we are wondering if we'll have to adopt before we move or if we can wait until a later date.
I know in his custody papers it states that we can get basically get his passport & take him anywhere.

Second,
Being as my husband is here with us how does sponsorship work?
Would he be able to stay here with us until we get permanent residence or whatever?

Next,
I know it is based in USA, but maybe someone can answer this as well...
I'm on disability. I think I read somewhere that I could continue getting my check once we move. Does anyone have knowledge of this?
(I do know I was told I'd want to drop the supplemental insurance as it wouldn't be useful.)

- Is there a list showing step-by-step process as well as fees?
- What is the current wait time?

1. I'm going to answer based on the assumption that your children were born in the US and your grandson therefore is not a Canadian citizen.

The grandchild can't be included in a PR app unless you formally adopt him. Sure, you could just get his passport and bring him to Canada as a visitor but that would only be temporary and importantly, he would not have access to health coverage. You need to legally be his parents to bring him.

2. Your husband can be in the UD with you while the PR app processes. He will need to submit proof that he is returning to reside in Canada.

3. You need to speak to whatever disability authority to deal with in the US.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5289ETOC.asp

American outland apps take around 4-6 months.

 

[Adam_Dee]

Thank you so much!
That at least helps us figure out where & when to start the process.

We don't want to interrupt his schooling so we'll aim start things in time so perhaps we can move next summer.
So we'll speak with our attorney to see when we need to start adoption paperwork.
Then start immigration paperwork January - February.... ?
Perfect, as that'll give us time to sell most of our belongings as well as our home & property.

As far as proof of returning to reside...
What proof would be needed?
- We just spoke with the in-laws & we've decided we'll be living with them.
- Once closer to time to actually move my husband plans to start applying for jobs.

Question concerning school...
Once PR is achieved & we can move, say for instance next summer, would the little one be able to start school in the Fall 2018?

 

[canuck_in_uk]

As far as proof of returning to reside...
What proof would be needed?
- We just spoke with the in-laws & we've decided we'll be living with them.
- Once closer to time to actually move my husband plans to start applying for jobs.

Question concerning school...
Once PR is achieved & we can move, say for instance next summer, would the little one be able to start school in the Fall 2018?

A notarized letter from the in-laws, correspondence from other family/friends about the move, proof of selling your house in the US, notice at your jobs, shipping quotes, contact with schools, job searches, house searches, contact with real estate agents, transferring your money etc.

Yes, the child will be able to attend school.


Regarding the adoption, as the biological parents are still alive, know that IRCC may require further proof that you guys have been responsible for the child and that the bio parents are not in the child's life. I don't want to pry into the reasons behind why you have custody but if there is a legal trail, involvement from social services, involvement from police etc., I suggest you have that ready just in case.

 

[Adam_Dee]

No problem "prying".... better we find out possible problems now...

He has lived with us since he was 4 months old. Our son lived with us too & was going to get custody.
But when baby was 15 months old both parents asked about signing paperwork so we could have custody & raise him. So our attorney did the paperwork & when baby was 16 months old we went to court & was granted full custody.

We are on all of his paperwork with doctors, school, life insurance, banks, etc
So there really isn't much other that those as police, CPS, etc was never involved.

Now, I do know that we were contacted by CPS because bio-mom has now lost her 2 younger boys to the system & they are possibly wanting to terminate her complete rights concerning this child, which isn't a problem. We just never pursued that because we've never had any problems with her nor our son. She doesn't even call, text or write about him.
Termination of rights will be done upon adoption anyway, so will be done either way obviously.

So to make sure, concerning child...
on top of having copies of everything (doctors, school, bank, etc) we'll also get certified letters from both bio as well as other family & even friends whom have known of him living with us for over 4 years & totally 100% our responsibility.
Plus his current custody papers & by then the adoption papers.

Concerning Hubs proof of moving...
- He have a copy of his resignation letter once that's handed in. But obviously he doesn't want to give that until much later
- He's start looking for a job, but obviously he won't actually apply until much closer to actual move
- I'm disabled so have no job to give notice to & no need to search
- I can contact disability here concerning one of my original questions & keep that email info as well
- We're planning to live with his parents. So we can get a certified letter from them as well as their neighbors & other family if need be
- Hoping we will be able to sell this place by then.
- We plan to go on & contact the school he'd be attending so we'll keep those correspondences as well.
- As far as shipping. We plan to sell & get rid of most household stuff, so planning to pack the rest in a u-haul. Now, I can contact them through email asking quotes to St Thomas, etc & keep those emails.
- Certified letters from family & friends from both areas
- I'll contact our State Farm insurance & CC asking about moving our accts to Ontario as well.
- Transferring bank won't be a problem. But wouldn't we need to be there to set it up?

A good start?

 

[canuck_in_uk]

No problem "prying".... better we find out possible problems now...

He has lived with us since he was 4 months old. Our son lived with us too & was going to get custody.
But when baby was 15 months old both parents asked about signing paperwork so we could have custody & raise him. So our attorney did the paperwork & when baby was 16 months old we went to court & was granted full custody.

We are on all of his paperwork with doctors, school, life insurance, banks, etc
So there really isn't much other that those as police, CPS, etc was never involved.

Now, I do know that we were contacted by CPS because bio-mom has now lost her 2 younger boys to the system & they are possibly wanting to terminate her complete rights concerning this child, which isn't a problem. We just never pursued that because we've never had any problems with her nor our son. She doesn't even call, text or write about him.
Termination of rights will be done upon adoption anyway, so will be done either way obviously.

So to make sure, concerning child...
on top of having copies of everything (doctors, school, bank, etc) we'll also get certified letters from both bio as well as other family & even friends whom have known of him living with us for over 4 years & totally 100% our responsibility.
Plus his current custody papers & by then the adoption papers.

Concerning Hubs proof of moving...
- He have a copy of his resignation letter once that's handed in. But obviously he doesn't want to give that until much later
- He's start looking for a job, but obviously he won't actually apply until much closer to actual move
- I'm disabled so have no job to give notice to & no need to search
- I can contact disability here concerning one of my original questions & keep that email info as well
- We're planning to live with his parents. So we can get a certified letter from them as well as their neighbors & other family if need be
- Hoping we will be able to sell this place by then.
- We plan to go on & contact the school he'd be attending so we'll keep those correspondences as well.
- As far as shipping. We plan to sell & get rid of most household stuff, so planning to pack the rest in a u-haul. Now, I can contact them through email asking quotes to St Thomas, etc & keep those emails.
- Certified letters from family & friends from both areas
- Transferring bank won't be a problem. But wouldn't we need to be there to set it up?

A good start?

Looks like a good start. Wait until closer to the time you actually apply before getting quotes and stuff.

 

[Adam_Dee]

Thank you so much, canuck_in_uk
I greatly appreciate your time, suggestions & assistance.