A Few Questions..Please Help!

[ocu_canadian]

My wife is an American citizen and I am a Canadian citizen, we almost have everything together to file for my sponsorship of her, and her PR Application. We are just waiting on her FBI Background check. I am pretty sure I fully understand everything that needs to be known about the PR process from reading threads on here and going to my local MP's office and asking questions. My mom a very controlling, stubborn woman says she talked to someone yesterday that proves I am wrong, i just want to ask you guys a couple of questions, I am 98% I am right I just want to put that doubt to rest.

What is the length of timeline from the point we mail our package off to Missasauga (outland to Buffalo) to the time my wife she get her PR card?

When my wife gets her PR card, what rights does that give her in Canada?

What is the easiest way to get my wife up here permanantly? (PR, Work, Study) which visa?

Thanks again, like I said I thought/ think I knew as much as i needed to know but my mother has put doubt into mind and just need to clear everything up.

 

[scylla]

Timeline for outland applications processed through Buffalo is:
1) About 1 month in Mississaugag
PLUS
2) Approximately 4-10 months in Buffalo (see: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/international/05-fc-spouses.asp#west)

In other words, 80% of applications are finalized in 5-11 months (and yes, some are completed faster).

Once you wife lands, she will be able to apply for a SIN immediately (and start working immediately). How soon health care coverage kicks in will depend on the province you settle in. For example, in Ontario, she will qualify for health care coverage three month after arriving and living in Canada. You should plan to cover her with private health insurance if there's a period of time during which she won't be covered by the province. Your wife will not be able to vote or hold a Canadian passport until she becomes a citizen.

Overall, sponsoring your wife via the PR route is likely the fastest. A study visa does not give your wife the right to stay permanently. Qualifying via the experienced worker class typically takes longer (has your wife taken the online assessment test to determine if she even qualifies?).

 

[ocu_canadian]

the online assessment to see if she qualifies for what?

 

[Baloo]

Also replied here.
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/a-few-questionsplease-help-t56446.0.html;msg477217

 

[scylla]

ocu_canadian -

The OP asked about study and work visas as well. If his wife was interested in submitting an application through the experience immigration class, the first step would be to confirm she has the points required (needs 67 points to qualify). There's an online tool which allows you to determine how many points you have that many use before applying to ensure they qualify.

 

[ocu_canadian]

scylla,

I noticed your PR process went quickly do you have any tips for us? Also if we are planning on applying through family class PR should my wife still take that online test?

 

[AllisonVSC]

ocu_can,

No need to take the online test if you are going family class which generally is quicker anyway. And as a PR your wife will have many of the same rights as citizens, though she can't vote, run for office or hold certain jobs. Also if she runs afoul with the law she risks having her status revoked, but I think she'd have to be found guilty of something fairly heinous for that to happen.

It is nearly impossible for applicants to predict processing times and what impacts them, though putting together a well organized and complete app with plenty of conclusive evidence of a genuine and ongoing relationship will definitely help to get the interview portion of the process waived resulting in a shorter process. If you follow the Buffalo thread on the family class page you will find a lot of talk (one member even keeps track of everybody on a Google spreadsheet) about processing times, problems at the visa office, etc.

Processing times are influenced by things like which visa office processes your app, the volume of apps handled by the visa office, and the wait time for background checks which are all beyond the control of the applicant. US applicants tend to have reasonably short processing times compared to other offices, but the published times are averages, so for every applicant processed quickly (like scylla and me) there are others who wait longer.

I'm curious about what your mother heard...there is a lot of misinformation floating around.

Best wishes for a speedy process.
Allison