JKI2S said:
Hello All,
I am a Canadian by birth and hold dual citizenship with the United States. My wife and I have decided to move to Canada (for MANY reasons) sometime next year and I am trying to nail down a few details of the sponsorship process. I understand that applying for my wife while she is in Canada is an option. What I am not certain about is the process of bringing her to the country in the first place and what to state at the border crossing.
Our intent is to drive from the United States to Canada with our belongings, establish a residence, and then I would apply to sponsor her to become a permanent resident. If anyone has had experience with this situation please chime in. From what I have read, my wife, being an American, has legal authorization to remain in Canada for 6 months as a visitor and once the application for permanent residence is initiated her legal status would remain unitl a decision on her permanent residence was reached.
To summarize, is my plan sound and what declaration do I need to make upon entry into Canada?
Thanks
Hello, and welcome.
Regarding sponsorship, as a Canadian citizen you could sponsor your wife now (while you are still living in the US). You don't need to wait until you are living in Canada to sponsor her. The documents you'll need are available http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/fc.asp
While she is in process, she may visit Canada just like she may now. Every time she enters, her visit will be subject to assessment by the Border Officer. As a US citizen, she doesn't need a visa, but that doesn't mean she is guaranteed entry. It means she needs to explain to the Officer the purpose of her visit and the Officer will grant her entry. Remember that she is applying to enter every time she shows up at the border. Many people do this successfully, but once her ties to the US diminish so will the likelihood that she will return to the US so it's important to be very clear when she crosses the border that she (and you) understand that she can't work, will need to leave Canada once her status expires, etc. and to have a back-up plan in place (if you read through the forums, people have been denied entry in similar situations). Take a look at http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/moving-with-spouse-while-application-is-pending-t102071.0.html;msg1411584#msg1411584 for one person's experience, for example.
Regarding your belonings, as a returning Canadian, you can fill out one B4/B4A set that will allow you to import goods duty free as long as you've been out of Canada for at least one year and have owned, used, and possessed the items for at least 6 months (6 month req't waived if you've been out of Canada for five years). If you are importing any item over $10,000 Canadian you will have to pay duties on the amount over 10k. The government gives you one opportunity to tell them what you are bringing in so you need to fill out all the forms upfront and then you can bring it in over time but be sure to include everything upfront.
Similarly, your wife, as an immigrant will be able fill out one B4/B4A set which she has to turn in upon arrival once she has her PR card and intends to live in Canada more than 12 months (so, if you are already living in Canada, that would coincide with her landing). As an immigrant, she won't have the $10k limit per item.
The B4 is available at http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/b4-eng.pdf
And the B4A is at http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pbg/cf/b4a/
Detailed instructions are at http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5113-eng.html
As for filling out the forms, you can group like items together - eg clothes $xxxx if the value isn't huge or you can break it down a bit to say suits $xxxx, formal gowns $xxx, casual clothes $xxx. Same for lower value items like household goods, toiletries, etc. If you eat importing thing over several trips (or on plane vs shipment), try to separate line items per trip so that you don't run into issues when they cross items off as you import them.
For jewelry and electronics, you need to list them one per line item and include: for jewelry a photo and for electronics model and serial number. You may also want to take photos of furniture or any higher value item if you aren't importing it immediately. You can complete multiple B4A forms and just number them. Folks have also reported using other formats (Excel, packing lists) successfully.
If you can take an extra copy, it will make life easier for you and the CBSA agent since they keep one and give one (once stamped) back to you.
If you're importing a car, there's a few more steps involved. Take a look at the first page of the thread titled " US outland applicants' thread
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