Have $$$, ready to start!

[idrawrobutts]

Hi there, we've been "planning" this for a few years now (I'm from the US, he's a CDN citizen). Got married at the end of 2011, and so he's going to sponsor me as a spouse. I've visited this forum before and read up on lots of threads, but I'm still very confused. There seems to be lots of contradictory information out here and, unfortunately, this place is super disorganized, so sorry if everyone and their mother has asked this before! So here's what I want to know:

1. Is submission a multi-step process, or do we get EVERYTHING done (sponsorship, medical, background check, etc) and mail/digitally submit it all at once? Someone at his MP's office said that only his sponsorship application and my medical exam needed to be sent in at first, and then we would be notified when to submit the rest. The CIC website says to submit everything at once. Some posts here relate a 4-step process. So which is it? :S

2. Someone here was talking about not being able to visit each other while being processed. Seriously, if he's not allowed to come down to the states and I'm not allowed to fly up there for the 16 months it's going to take, then that's.... really really crappy. This also sounds highly suspect, or maybe I misread, so idk.

3. About the background check: do I need to send my fingerprints to the FBI -and- my state for processing?

Thanks to whoever helps me out here, as we can't afford an immigration lawyer. I feel like I'm forgetting a question or two, but if I remember I'll post them. Thank you, everyone!

 

[sariss]

1) Yes, everything is mailed at once. Once sponsorship is complete, your application will be forwarded to the correct office.
2) That is wrong. You can stay here for 6 months at a time, and you can also extend your time as a visitor. My husband came here a month after we sent in the application and stayed here until it was over. We extended his stay near the end.
3) I believe it's just FBI. They may request further prints.

 

[Sweden]

Hey and welcome.
1 - submit EVERYTHING together. It's the best way to get a fast process.
2 - if you're applying INLAND, yes, you should both be in Canada. but I suppose you're applying Outland, in that case, he can come and visit, and you can do the same (as a citizen, he is allowed to be outside of Canada for the time of the process). You could also be present in Canada on a visitor visa ( not allowed to work etc) for the duration of the process and still be applying outland. you can get a 6 months stamp at the border, and extend it before it expires. You're visa-exempt, so it makes a lot of things easier for you to travel.
3 - Not sure - somebody from the US will answer - just hand in there 5 more minutes!

There are plenty of US/Can couples on the forum, so unless you have a very complicated case, you probably won't need a lawyer. Guidelines and the forum here should be enough.
Good luck,
Sweden

 

[parker24]

Hi there, we've been "planning" this for a few years now (I'm from the US, he's a CDN citizen). Got married at the end of 2011, and so he's going to sponsor me as a spouse. I've visited this forum before and read up on lots of threads, but I'm still very confused. There seems to be lots of contradictory information out here and, unfortunately, this place is super disorganized, so sorry if everyone and their mother has asked this before! So here's what I want to know:

1. Is submission a multi-step process, or do we get EVERYTHING done (sponsorship, medical, background check, etc) and mail/digitally submit it all at once? Someone at his MP's office said that only his sponsorship application and my medical exam needed to be sent in at first, and then we would be notified when to submit the rest. The CIC website says to submit everything at once. Some posts here relate a 4-step process. So which is it? :S

2. Someone here was talking about not being able to visit each other while being processed. Seriously, if he's not allowed to come down to the states and I'm not allowed to fly up there for the 16 months it's going to take, then that's.... really really crappy. This also sounds highly suspect, or maybe I misread, so idk.

3. About the background check: do I need to send my fingerprints to the FBI -and- my state for processing?

Thanks to whoever helps me out here, as we can't afford an immigration lawyer. I feel like I'm forgetting a question or two, but if I remember I'll post them. Thank you, everyone!

Questions 1 and 3 can be answered here:

http://parker92411.blogspot.ca/2012/11/immigration-process.html

As for 2. Americans are waved through usually. Just be sure the emphasize it's a VISIT. You are not moving. Be sure to include proof that it's JUST a visit