Do we need to live in Quebec?

[magslh]

Hello,
I have a few questions regarding the spouse visa, and was hoping you guys could help make some things clear? I am Canadian and a my partner is Australian. We are currently living in Australia, but would like to move to Canada permanently. I am a Quebec resident, however due to the language barrier for my partner we do not intend to live in Quebec. Because all of my family resides in Quebec we would be able to provide some evidence of our intent to remain in Canada through them, however as mentioned above, we do not want to stay in Quebec. Specifically our questions are:
1- If we applied for the spouse visa through Quebec, do we need to stay in Quebec?
2- What can we provide as evidence for our intent to remain in Canada if we do not apply through Quebec?
Thanks so much your time.

 

[Alurra71]

Hello,
I have a few questions regarding the spouse visa, and was hoping you guys could help make some things clear? I am Canadian and a my partner is Australian. We are currently living in Australia, but would like to move to Canada permanently. I am a Quebec resident, however due to the language barrier for my partner we do not intend to live in Quebec. Because all of my family resides in Quebec we would be able to provide some evidence of our intent to remain in Canada through them, however as mentioned above, we do not want to stay in Quebec. Specifically our questions are:
1- If we applied for the spouse visa through Quebec, do we need to stay in Quebec?
2- What can we provide as evidence for our intent to remain in Canada if we do not apply through Quebec?
Thanks so much your time.

You don't have to apply for your PR through Quebec, in fact, if you don't plan to reside there, you will save yourself some money and a extra step or two by NOT filing your application in Quebec.

You don't need to provide CIC with your intent to REMAIN in Canada, you only need to provide them with a plan that stats that YOU as a citizen will return with your spouse to Canada once the PR is issued. A well thought out plan of what you intend to do when you get here, letters from your family stating that you have spoken with them about returning, any email you have regarding checking on jobs and such all will help to achieve that goal.

 

[QuebecOkie]

Do you plan to stay at all in Québec with family when you move back, perhaps just at first until you get your feet under you? Or do you plan to settle somewhere else immediately? It may be *slightly* easier to prove your intent to return to Québec, as you already have ties there and can have a relative write a letter stating you will be staying with them upon your arrival. Also, if you do plan to stay in Québec at all when you move back, it's best to apply through Québec, otherwise your partner may face difficulties in getting provincial health care, etc.

There is an extra step in the process when you apply through Québec. You send in your sponsor/PR application package to CIC Mississaugua just like everyone else. However, CIC will then send you a letter instructing you to request a CSQ (certificat de sélection du Québec) through Québec's immigration ministry. This adds $269 to the total cost of the application process ($1040 total for the rest of Canada). However, if you will be living in Québec for a period of time when you return, your partner will need a CSQ. (You cannot land as a permanent resident in Québec without it.)

Applying through Québec does not limit you to living in Québec. You can freely move to another province.

If you plan to settle in another province immediately, what is your plan? You need to map out that plan, in as much detail as possible, to show CIC that you plan to return. Are jobs in your field in high demand? In his field? What will you do to find work, housing? Detail your plans as much as possible. Will you work with a realtor to find a home? If so, contact a realtor or two and discuss your plans with them, letting them know you plan to move to Canada when your partner gets PR status, which you expect will be around November or December of this year (no way to know for sure, but the process is pretty fast through Australia), and you're interested in finding a realtor to work with when you prepare to move. Include your inquiries and their responses. Letters from family can still help, stating that they know of your plans to return to Canada and reside in eastern ON (for instance), and that they're excited you'll be close enough to visit again. (This really all goes for an application through Québec, as well, you'll need to prove your intent to return and that you have a plan.)

 

[magslh]

Thanks so much for your responses guys, they have definitely helped to clear some things up.

QuebecOkie - I do have some family in Ottawa and was considering organising to stay with them to circumvent having to obtain a CSQ, but after reading your post maybe that isn't a good idea as proving that we intend to reside in Canada could be a bit harder than if we organise through my parents, who live in Quebec. However, we were thinking that adding the extra layer of applying through Quebec could make things a bit more difficult - the extra fee isn't the issue, but in terms of having to go through that application process, do you know if this is a formality or if they have the authority to reject applications after the CIC has approved them? I understand that he will also have to add that he is going to learn French etc if we apply through Quebec, is this correct? I am a little concerned that if we apply for the CSQ and then say that we are going to live in Quebec, but don't actually plan on it, that there could be complications. However on the other hand it may seem as though that's worthwhile in order to cover all of our bases.

In terms of organising a place to stay, say if we did apply to live outside of Quebec, would we still be able to stay with my parents for a few weeks upon arrival, or would we need to enter via another place and then go to visit? Lastly, we won't be attempting to purchase a house in the near future, but my partner will probably want to take his master's degree, so do you think that is something we would include? And if we were attempting to rent, could we show proof of organising to stay with my family in Ottawa, then just say we would stay with them until we found a rental? If so, how would we prove that?

Again, thanks to the both of you for your help, I really appreciate it in this testing time!

 

[QuebecOkie]

With family class sponsorship, the CSQ is pretty much a formality. Language is not an issue (the undertaking is a French form, but there's no requirement of the applicant to speak or learn French). If the extra fee is of absolutely no concern, and you're not exactly sure where you'll settle, it seems to me a safer bet to go through Québec. While it's ABSOLUTELY legal and acceptable to move freely between provinces as a PR, I imagine recently-arrived PRs who move to Québec are probably hassled when they can't produce a CSQ. Other than the extra $269 and one more administrative hoop to jump through, there's no drawback to applying through Québec.

I'm sure you could stay with your folks for a bit in Québec even if you stated you would be settling in Ontario. However, your partner CANNOT land (arrive in Canada for the first time as a PR and officially become a PR) in Québec without a CSQ. He would have to enter elsewhere, land, and then continue to Québec. The real problems associated with not having a CSQ would arrive when he needed to register for provincial healthcare, get a driver's license, etc.

You can get your family member to write up a "lease" agreement, stating you can stay there free of charge, or for $X per month, or whatever works for you. Yes, do include study and career plans to demonstrate to CIC that your plan to return to Canada is solid.

 

[QuebecOkie]

I thought of something else. Does your partner have any interest in learning French? If so, applying through Québec has an advantage. Having a CSQ will give him access to free French courses through Québec's immigration ministry. I just completed 6 months of full-time courses, and they were INCREDIBLE! (He could take 9 months of classes if he's starting with no French, or only a very little - I started in the second level, as I'd been here for over a year and had a base in French by then.) I'm registering now to take more classes online.

My opinion is that there are some advantages to applying through Québec, and no disadvantages except the extra fee. If there's any chance you'll be in Québec for any real length of time, that's probably the way you should go.

 

[magslh]

Thank you so much! You are awesome, really helpful answers.

I guess its hard in terms of the sponsorship form asking 'do you intend to reside in Quebec or elsewhere' upfront...so if we say Quebec on that form, our story has to be that we are intending to live in Quebec? Or can we just say that we intend to reside in Quebec immediately upon arrival before settling down, finding a school etc and we aren't sure whether or not that will be in Quebec? Also once he becomes a permanent resident he can study for 'our' prices, can't he? He said when he was researching studying as an international was more than double the cost of a permanent resident!!!!!

I do agree with you though, and I think we will do it that way in case we do intend to stay in Quebec. I have a friend from Newfoundland who was eligible for that course and took it, and she loved it and said it was really helpful! How is your French now after taking it for 6 months? I think she might have even got 'paid' to take full time courses? I can't exactly recall.

Anyway, you have been super helpful and I really appreciate your answers...you are awesome!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D I guess we will start the process in the next few weeks - i.e. the sponsorship form etc. I think the CIC website says it takes about 10-12 months from Australia. I dont know anyone else that has applied so we will see! Im sure I will have many more questions...have you completed your process yet?

 

[BubbOZ]

I agree with Okie...

I found this Sydney forum to be quite helpful... Some of us have landed in about 3 months or less.
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/thread-for-applications-through-sydney-australia-office-t46958.1605.html

And I found this one specific to Quebec outland applications for all Visa Offices. My timeline is on Page 8.
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/quebec-outland-applicants-2013-thread-timeline-t153740.180.html

In our case, we were already in Canada on a work permit and we applied Spousal Outland through the Sydney office. We landed 95 days after filing our CIC application including the CSQ thing.

Are you ready to leave Australia soon?

G'luck...

Thank you so much! You are awesome, really helpful answers.

I guess its hard in terms of the sponsorship form asking 'do you intend to reside in Quebec or elsewhere' upfront...so if we say Quebec on that form, our story has to be that we are intending to live in Quebec? Or can we just say that we intend to reside in Quebec immediately upon arrival before settling down, finding a school etc and we aren't sure whether or not that will be in Quebec? Also once he becomes a permanent resident he can study for 'our' prices, can't he? He said when he was researching studying as an international was more than double the cost of a permanent resident!!!!!

I do agree with you though, and I think we will do it that way in case we do intend to stay in Quebec. I have a friend from Newfoundland who was eligible for that course and took it, and she loved it and said it was really helpful! How is your French now after taking it for 6 months? I think she might have even got 'paid' to take full time courses? I can't exactly recall.

Anyway, you have been super helpful and I really appreciate your answers...you are awesome!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D I guess we will start the process in the next few weeks - i.e. the sponsorship form etc. I think the CIC website says it takes about 10-12 months from Australia. I dont know anyone else that has applied so we will see! Im sure I will have many more questions...have you completed your process yet?

 

[QuebecOkie]

Thank you so much! You are awesome, really helpful answers.

I guess its hard in terms of the sponsorship form asking 'do you intend to reside in Quebec or elsewhere' upfront...so if we say Quebec on that form, our story has to be that we are intending to live in Quebec? Or can we just say that we intend to reside in Quebec immediately upon arrival before settling down, finding a school etc and we aren't sure whether or not that will be in Quebec? Also once he becomes a permanent resident he can study for 'our' prices, can't he? He said when he was researching studying as an international was more than double the cost of a permanent resident!!!!!

I do agree with you though, and I think we will do it that way in case we do intend to stay in Quebec. I have a friend from Newfoundland who was eligible for that course and took it, and she loved it and said it was really helpful! How is your French now after taking it for 6 months? I think she might have even got 'paid' to take full time courses? I can't exactly recall.

Anyway, you have been super helpful and I really appreciate your answers...you are awesome!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D I guess we will start the process in the next few weeks - i.e. the sponsorship form etc. I think the CIC website says it takes about 10-12 months from Australia. I dont know anyone else that has applied so we will see! Im sure I will have many more questions...have you completed your process yet?

As proving your intent to return to Canada is one of the more difficult parts of an outland application, I would think it's best to avoid complicating that step at all and just say your plan is to return and settle in Québec. Once he lands as a PR, he can live wherever he wants to in Canada, but you don't want to add a ton of confusion to the process from CIC's point of view and make them doubt whether or not you have a real plan to return and get settled.

Yes, permanent residents pay the same tuition as citizens. I'm not sure how your laws vary province to province, but if it's anything like the States, he'll probably have to prove residency in a province before being eligible for the lowest citizen tuition rate (I'm pretty sure Québec has a different rate for Québec residents and those from ROC). I think it's just necessary to live there a certain amount of time, or get a provincial health card/driver's license, but I really don't know the details.

The courses were INCREDIBLE! When I started in November, I had a base. I had a small but growing vocabulary, was pretty solid on conjugating verbs in present tense, could speak of tomorrow using the futur proche like "je vais aller," and had started to study passé composé, like "j'ai mangé." I could construct simple sentences, but I was in no way conversational, unless someone was REALLY patient and REALLY wanted to know where I came from and what I did for work, haha. After six months, I am quite functionally bilingual. I still have a lot of work to do, but, for instance, using the phone is no trouble. I don't have to sit around and rehearse for a few minutes...I just dial a number like a normal person. I've at least been exposed to most of what I'll need to know in French (for instance, I'm NO master of the subjonctif, "Il faut que je soit à l'heure," but I know what it is, and I know enough to be able to study more on my own to improve), and I feel like I'm in a different, larger world than before I took the classes. All around excellent experience. And yes, I got paid to go. I received a small stipend throughout the courses.

Like BubbOZ said, Sydney is (I believe) the fastest VO in the world. Take your time preparing the app, ask here on the forum if you have questions, and you should breeze right through.

(Think I answered everything you asked me?)

*edited to add*

Yes, I am finished with the process. I landed as a permanent resident on October 10, 2013. Got my PR card in early 2014.

 

[magslh]

Awesome! BubbOZ, do you know how long after his visa is approved that he has to land, are you aware of any timeframes? I suppose now its a balancing act with trying to figure out the best time to apply, keeping in mind that we are aiming to settle in approx march next year - he is currently working on a project here in Australia and wont be able to leave until that is completed.

QuebecOkie, thanks for the awesome info - its super helpful! I guess now we are going to start researching requirements in terms of proving our relationship, but we have been together 2 1/2 years, have signed leases in both of our names for that entire time, joint bank accounts, and have a registered relationship so I dont think thats going to be the hard part - just ensuring that it all goes smoothly and to plan! Haha.

So how have you guys found looking for employment etc in Quebec? A little concerned for him at the moment but only time will tell - as mentioned, he is considering studying there to get 'relevant' education (even though he has a degree with almost 3 years experience in his field). Exciting times, and you guys are awesome!

 

[QuebecOkie]

Generally, the new PR has to land before their medical exam results expire. Results are good for one year from the date of the exam, so that shouldn't be a problem for you guys, if you plan to come to Canada within the next year.

I'll let you know on the job search stuff. When *I* know! I only recently started looking for work. Not sure how well you know the regions of Québec, but I'm in the Saguenay. English jobs are pretty much NIL here. I didn't even think about work until after I finished the immigrant francisation courses. Now, I'm *pretty much* bilingual, and I've put together a CV and have applied for a couple of bilingual jobs. We'll see how that goes. Even my name is a problem here, because my last name is Italian and my first name is Megan (ou, "Mégane," as the lady wrote it on a take-out order at the sushi restaurant yesterday, haha). It's OBVIOUS at first glance that I'm "not from 'round here," as my last name is not Tremblay, Bouchard, or Blackburn. Even some francophones who come from other areas of Québec have trouble here, as it's a pretty insular place. HOWEVER, I'm pretty awesome (in case you haven't noticed), and I'm going to do everything in my power to network and meet people. I learned that there is an English Toastmaster's Club here, and I've made contact with club leadership to offer my services as an English grammarian, for example, to make contact with people. I make an impression in person (5'9" redhead, a bit loud, very friendly, good sense of humour - I stand out, particularly as an Anglophone here), and SOMEONE, SOME DAY will notice me and want to make me the next dynamic member of their team. Also, I'm working hard on my French. Even recently created a language exchange group for Francophones and Anglophones to meet once a week to work together on their second langauge skills. I'm doing all I can. We'll see if it's enough.

I think it will very much depend, for your partner, on his field of expertise and the area in which you settle.

 

[BubbOZ]

I'm not too sure how the employment picture really is for unilingual anglophones since my spouse arrived on an "inter-office" work permit and didn't have to look for a job.

And depending on his field of study, maybe the lack of French is irrelevant.

G'luck...

So how have you guys found looking for employment etc in Quebec? A little concerned for him at the moment but only time will tell - as mentioned, he is considering studying there to get 'relevant' education (even though he has a degree with almost 3 years experience in his field). Exciting times, and you guys are awesome!

 

[magslh]

Hey guys! we are just filling our forms out now - I know this question has probably been answered elsewhere on the site but I can't find it anywhere! With the IMM0008 - question 7 (Application details) it asks if he has a CSQ...I thought this was something that is obtained after the application is assessed by the CIC? Very confusing!

Thanks so much! Just finished gathering all our documentation and ready to progress! woo! This is probably the first of many questions through the process so I hope you don't mind me being annoying Thanks so much guys, you rule

 

[keesio]

The courses were INCREDIBLE! When I started in November, I had a base. I had a small but growing vocabulary, was pretty solid on conjugating verbs in present tense, could speak of tomorrow using the futur proche like "je vais aller," and had started to study passé composé, like "j'ai mangé." I could construct simple sentences, but I was in no way conversational, unless someone was REALLY patient and REALLY wanted to know where I came from and what I did for work, haha. After six months, I am quite functionally bilingual. I still have a lot of work to do, but, for instance, using the phone is no trouble. I don't have to sit around and rehearse for a few minutes...I just dial a number like a normal person. I've at least been exposed to most of what I'll need to know in French (for instance, I'm NO master of the subjonctif, "Il faut que je soit à l'heure," but I know what it is, and I know enough to be able to study more on my own to improve), and I feel like I'm in a different, larger world than before I took the classes. All around excellent experience. And yes, I got paid to go. I received a small stipend throughout the courses.

OuebecOkie - just wanted to complement you on your efforts to learn the local language! I think it is fantastic and impressive that after only 6 months you have progressed so much. Many immigrants don't put in the same effort you do to be fluent in the local language. I only need to look at my dad. He moved to the US from Korea over 40 years ago and still speaks marginal English. Part of the reason is that he moved to New York City and with its large Korean population, you can get by with speaking just Korean. My mom's English is much better since she worked in an environment that required a fair amount of fluency and she took the effort to learn it. Anyway I still meet people in Toronto who have lived here for a long time and are not fluent with either of Canada's official languages. So i think it is quite impressive what you have accomplished!

 

[QuebecOkie]

Hey guys! we are just filling our forms out now - I know this question has probably been answered elsewhere on the site but I can't find it anywhere! With the IMM0008 - question 7 (Application details) it asks if he has a CSQ...I thought this was something that is obtained after the application is assessed by the CIC? Very confusing!

Thanks so much! Just finished gathering all our documentation and ready to progress! woo! This is probably the first of many questions through the process so I hope you don't mind me being annoying Thanks so much guys, you rule

Exactly, you won't apply for the CSQ until CIC tells you to do so (you need the letter from them to get the CSQ), so just leave that blank.

Keesio, THANK YOU! I appreciate the kind words. And great timing. I'm on cloud 9 today after GETTING MY FIRST JOB here! I start training on Monday to be a receptionist at a nearby hotel. A BILINGUAL receptionist! I'm pretty excited, and more than a little terrified.