Thought I'd pass along information that I learned. This is very specific and for Canadian sponsors who are sponsoring their USA spouse. No children.
I'm the Canadian one in my marriage, husband is American.
First both parties need to read over the application guide, found here:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/3900ETOC.asp
Canadian will need to fill out these papers:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5491E.PDF
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM1344E.PDF (MUST BE VALIDATED)
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5481E.PDF
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5540E.PDF
Canadian: You will also need Option C for 2011 Tax year. You can obtain this from CRA by calling 1-800-959-8281. It's free. There's no set amount of how much each of you need to have with spousal sponsorship, as long as you aren't bankrupt. If you live abroad, you need to include your tax information from your country and then a letter explaining why you do not have Option C. If you have a job, a letter from the employer is requested as well. If you don't you will need to write a letter stating how you will support both of you, be it living with your parents or living with a family member etc. Being a Student is not an issue, just as long as you can prove that you can support you and your spouse.
American will need to fill out these papers:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM0008ENU_2D.pdf (MUST BE VALIDATED!)
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5669E.PDF
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5490E.PDF
American: You will need to get an FBI background check as well. This take take up to 12 weeks to do. Just go get your fingerprints wherever you are and send them into the FBI headquarters. More information at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/security/police-cert/north-america/united-states.asp This should be one of the last things you do.
You (American) will also need a medical done. You(American) will have to find a doctor closest to you. Check out here to find one: http://www.cic.gc.ca/dmp-md/medical.aspx You will need 4 photos for the appointment usually. Check the link in the paragraph below for the paper to take with him to get photos done. You will need 4 MORE to send WITH your application. These photos are NOT passport photos, they are very specific with the size. This needs to be done generally within three months of sending your application. As in, the medical should be less than 6 months old when sending the application.
Total fees to be sent to CIC is $1040. It's suggested you pay for the full amount to avoid any delays.
It is VERY STRONGLY recommended to do all the forms online and print them then sign them as some forms need to be validated.
You will also need proof of a genuine relationship. Photos, bills with both names on it, banking accounts with both names on it, cards addressed to both of you, chat logs, phone bills showing you called each other etc. Even letters from family members stating they have met you and the like. You'll also need a copy of the marriage certificate, and your passport. If you don't have any bills or banking accounts with both names on them and not a lot of photos, fret not! Letters from family work just as good! American will need to prove they are who they say they is too, usually with a birth certificate. Just follow the documents checklist (the first link in Canadian section and this one for American: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/guides/3910e.pdf), and it'll all come together!
Both parts, your husband's and yours, needs to be sent together. They both go to Mississauga and then to a VO in the US (or to Ottawa, with Buffalo closing, that part I'm confused about!)
I hope this helped! Good luck and feel free to ask any questions anywhere on this forum!
I'm the Canadian one in my marriage, husband is American.
First both parties need to read over the application guide, found here:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/3900ETOC.asp
Canadian will need to fill out these papers:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5491E.PDF
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM1344E.PDF (MUST BE VALIDATED)
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5481E.PDF
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5540E.PDF
Canadian: You will also need Option C for 2011 Tax year. You can obtain this from CRA by calling 1-800-959-8281. It's free. There's no set amount of how much each of you need to have with spousal sponsorship, as long as you aren't bankrupt. If you live abroad, you need to include your tax information from your country and then a letter explaining why you do not have Option C. If you have a job, a letter from the employer is requested as well. If you don't you will need to write a letter stating how you will support both of you, be it living with your parents or living with a family member etc. Being a Student is not an issue, just as long as you can prove that you can support you and your spouse.
American will need to fill out these papers:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM0008ENU_2D.pdf (MUST BE VALIDATED!)
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5669E.PDF
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5490E.PDF
American: You will need to get an FBI background check as well. This take take up to 12 weeks to do. Just go get your fingerprints wherever you are and send them into the FBI headquarters. More information at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/security/police-cert/north-america/united-states.asp This should be one of the last things you do.
You (American) will also need a medical done. You(American) will have to find a doctor closest to you. Check out here to find one: http://www.cic.gc.ca/dmp-md/medical.aspx You will need 4 photos for the appointment usually. Check the link in the paragraph below for the paper to take with him to get photos done. You will need 4 MORE to send WITH your application. These photos are NOT passport photos, they are very specific with the size. This needs to be done generally within three months of sending your application. As in, the medical should be less than 6 months old when sending the application.
Total fees to be sent to CIC is $1040. It's suggested you pay for the full amount to avoid any delays.
It is VERY STRONGLY recommended to do all the forms online and print them then sign them as some forms need to be validated.
You will also need proof of a genuine relationship. Photos, bills with both names on it, banking accounts with both names on it, cards addressed to both of you, chat logs, phone bills showing you called each other etc. Even letters from family members stating they have met you and the like. You'll also need a copy of the marriage certificate, and your passport. If you don't have any bills or banking accounts with both names on them and not a lot of photos, fret not! Letters from family work just as good! American will need to prove they are who they say they is too, usually with a birth certificate. Just follow the documents checklist (the first link in Canadian section and this one for American: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/guides/3910e.pdf), and it'll all come together!
Both parts, your husband's and yours, needs to be sent together. They both go to Mississauga and then to a VO in the US (or to Ottawa, with Buffalo closing, that part I'm confused about!)
I hope this helped! Good luck and feel free to ask any questions anywhere on this forum!
