I was born in Canada and my spouse was born in the US. We live in the United States and yadda-yadda politics we’re both transgender and wanting to flee somewhere safer. Is there a written or video guide for beginning our immigration process? I’m trying to get this done before we have to flee for our safety and make the process more complicated. The deadline of which feels closer than before.
Guide for immigration process
- Thread starter eloor
- Start date
Follow the instructions on the official web site: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...mily-sponsorship/spouse-partner-children.html
In addition to what @scylla noted:
-read/post to the family sponsorship forum here: https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/forums/family-class-sponsorship.5/
Recommend reading some to get familiar. For the most part what you will likely be looking at is spousal sponsorship (canadian citizen sponsoring spouse). If your spouse can qualify for a NAFTA (CUSMA) professional work visa (check separately for requirements), could get a visa (and look for work) more easily. (Wouldn't change family sponsorship, just process to get first work permit).
-To simplify somewhat: your main choice is applying while abroad (from USA) to sponsor spouse ('outland' sponsorship), or moving first and sponsoring from within Canada ('inland'). Difference is mainly your spouse's status in Canada at time of crossing border (visitor or becoming a PR with full PR rights at time of arrival) and related, eg healthcare and work permit/ability to work. (In practice you can start process before moving and then move during it, really at any time, difference mainly how long to wait to finalize etc)
-In terms of process, not big difference between the two BUT as the sponsor you'd have to show credible evidence of intention (i.e. plans) to return to Canada.
There are lots of terminology issues that will become evident as you read up on these things, both official terminology and how things work. Eg: spouse (applicant) would be applying to become a permanent resident (PR); PRs do not need work permits (it's an inherent right of a PR); work permits during the process are possible but not always at the time you want it (NAFTA professionals get it sort-of automatically with a job offer).
Download the forms and instructions and start filling them out. (You might have to fill them out online but download the forms and fill them out in acrobat - when it's all prepared as a package you can either upload them or re-type the info from one or two forms). Iterate through filling them out, noting questions for later / documents you'll need. Repeat/iterate. Read in the forum to get the gist and post questions there when needed.
Assuming your spouse holds a US passport, in my opinion, you do not need to 'rush' (flee) until you decide to. US citizens don't need visas etc (as long as no criminal record) and can extend their stay easily if spousal app being prepared/in process (rather pro forma in those circumstances). You will likely need to prepare move since it sounds like you've been living in USA for a long time.
You/ your spouse's trans/same sex status (or whatever) - irrelevant to the process, really.
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