British Husband of Canadian Citizen Immigration - CONFUSED!

[andrewdhj]

Hi,

My wife (a Canadian Citizen) and I are currently living in the UK and will be moving to Nova Scotia in May 2016. My wife will then be 6 months pregnant so timing is important for travelling.

I am a 34 year old retired Army Captain with a Degree (but no experience) in Marine Biology / Oceanography and I also am a qualified and experienced Personal Trainer / Watersports instructor. I am also in receipt of a £1000 per month pension from the Military which will continue for life.

We are quite confused about how to how approach the immigration process and it seems everyone has a different opinion so please can someone help!

Do we 1:

Get a eTA for the first 6 months while applying for a Open Work Visa before (when in Canada) applying for a Spouse Visa.

Am I right in thinking the processing time is significantly less when in Canada?

OR 2:

Go for a Express Entry Visa?

Does my Military Service count towards anything?

I have spoken to a couple of Immigration Companies who both confused me and are crazy expensive. Money we need to plan for the new one's arrival!

Thanks so much for your help!

A

 

[scylla]

You should apply through spousal sponsorship rather than Express Entry. I would recommend you move over to the Family Sponsorship section of the forum and post your questions there.

 

[taffy7]

Come join us on the London outland thread.

You are better off applying outland. You can come to Canada in May and stay six months then you can apply for an extension. You can not work if you apply outland but it is much quicker than applying Inland.

In Dec 2014 the government brought in a pilot program that gave inland applications a work permit after 4 months, but we have a new government and we don't know if they will cancel this or continue it .

 

[Rob_TO]

You should apply immediately for your PR under family class, using OUTLAND method which would mean processing in London visa office. Your work history is not really important, the only thing that matters is you have a genuine marriage with your wife.
Application package is here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/fc.asp

Ignore the processing times posted on CIC site, an outland family class app through London for a straightforward marriage, should take just under 1 year. During this processing time you can "visit" to Canada anytime, and extend your visitor status there as you need. You will not be able to work until they approve your PR app you officially become a PR.

 

[andrewdhj]

Thanks for your help everyone. I'll get onto the Family Thread and throw some questions around!