Canadian and American getting ready to marry

[mrsshank2014]

Hello everyone,
I am sure you all read a million of these posts a day, just looking to ensure I'm heading in the right direction.
I am a canadian that met my fiancé while I was attending school in michigan. We have been together for 5 years and we decided he would move here to canada.
We also have a 18 month old together.
We are getting married in December. So here are a few questions:
1) will we be able to apply for a mortgage here together before his application is approved? Just so we have a home ready for him to move into ?
2) any advice on what we should provide for proof of relationship? We aren't having a normal huge wedding
3) I am currently finishing my nursing degree and can start working in April 2015. Will my lack of current employment affect my ability to sponsor? Will I need "co sponsors"?
4) any tips on filling out this application to ensure a smooth process?
5) his children are currently 22 and 20, will we have to put them down on the forms anywhere (they aren't coming with us)

This process is extremely overwhelming

 

[MilesAway]

2) Photos, tickets or evidence of trips. If you've lived together, then lease agreements, etc. Mail delivered to a shared address, phone bills, skype records, or any combination of those. It's not uncommon for Americans to have a small wedding, so if you explain your reasons, there shouldn't be any issues. Some cultures expect a huge wedding (such as part of Asia), and any deviation from that is suspicious to CIC. Your child is a very good proof.
3) You cannot have co-signers for a spousal application. Plenty of people have been approved while still in school. You just need to show a plan that does not involve going on welfare.
5) I believe he would need to list them on the additional family information form. They are no longer dependents, but they have to be stated on that form.

 

[Kayaker]

Hello everyone,
I am sure you all read a million of these posts a day, just looking to ensure I'm heading in the right direction.
I am a canadian that met my fiancé while I was attending school in michigan. We have been together for 5 years and we decided he would move here to canada.
We also have a 18 month old together.
We are getting married in December. So here are a few questions:
1) will we be able to apply for a mortgage here together before his application is approved? Just so we have a home ready for him to move into ?
2) any advice on what we should provide for proof of relationship? We aren't having a normal huge wedding
3) I am currently finishing my nursing degree and can start working in April 2015. Will my lack of current employment affect my ability to sponsor? Will I need "co sponsors"?
4) any tips on filling out this application to ensure a smooth process?
5) his children are currently 22 and 20, will we have to put them down on the forms anywhere (they aren't coming with us)

This process is extremely overwhelming

1) I may be wrong, or it may depend on the bank, but we were unable to get my name on the deed or the mortgage while I did not have PR. I contributed my money towards the downpayment, but both the mortgage and the deed is in my husband's name. Since then, I have gotten PR, but we have not tried to change either. We think it will be simpler to do it later, when our mortgage is renewed. Best check with your bank or mortgage broker - it may depend on the bank. (FYI we (well, technically, he) have a mortgage with First National.)

4) it would be a good idea to print out both the instructions and all the forms. Fill out the forms beforehand so that if there are any questions, you can ask and iron them out first. Just read and re-read the instructions, and highlight relevant passages so that you are thoroughly aware of everything. Also, bear in mind that currently a FBI certificate may take 12 weeks to process. You might want to apply for it first. However, the validity of police certificates is 3 months (must be received by CIC within 3 months) so don't apply too early. Also, before sending in your application, double check to make sure that the documents you filled out are up to date. CIC releases a new version of documents every now and then. If yours isn't the latest version, they can return the entire package to you as being incomplete.

The rest, MilesAway has given you good tips on!