Husband in Cuba- need guidance with PR & dual intention - I am lost

[folsade]

Hi,

We applied for my Husbands TRV to come (from Cuba) to Canada in March 2022 (we were married in Feb 2022). It was refused last week. I am furious and sad - that is another story.
We were hoping to get this so he could be coming and going during the PR process, and for him to do his medical PR test here eventually since they do not perform them in Cuba and I am lost about options for this test. Mind-blowing that the country where they can not leave is the country that forces them to leave for a freaking crappy 'medical' test.

Now we will have to apply for the PR, and I am speechless about the CIC posted timeline for this - 24 freaking months....since that is what is posted it makes me guess it is more like 30 months since they are always late.

I am not in a position to travel to Cuba every two months to see him for as long as the process takes, that is insane. Not to mention intestine infections (I had it), the dengue mosquito problem, the total lack of medication and lack of everything, even electricity is cut for hours in a row, etc.

I saw here somewhere that someone mentioned PR and Dual Intent. How is that processed? I have never heard of it before. We absolutely need him to be coming and going.
He owns properties in Cuba, he has a motorcycle (the equivalent of a car here pretty much), he has sole custody in writing of his only 9 year old son, we always planned for him to be coming and going.

Is anyone here able to help me? Answer questions about the process for PR with dual intent?
Or does anyone know a reputable immigration lawyer or paralegal that has in fact processed proven applications that were approved and never returned with errors? And that included dual intent.

I am lost as to when the dual intent is sent to immigration.
Are PR applications online now? I saw there is a portal for this, but I have never used it.
Has anyone submitted their application this year? When and what is your current process status?
Where are people from Cuba going for medical tests? Russia is out of question because of the war and my husband does not speak Russian and little English.

I'll really appreciate any information you can provide, I have too many things going on right now besides CIC stuff and trying really hard to stay strong and calmed.

Thanks so much!
Maria A

 

[scylla]

Hi,

We applied for my Husbands TRV to come (from Cuba) to Canada in March 2022 (we were married in Feb 2022). It was refused last week. I am furious and sad - that is another story.
We were hoping to get this so he could be coming and going during the PR process, and for him to do his medical PR test here eventually since they do not perform them in Cuba and I am lost about options for this test. Mind-blowing that the country where they can not leave is the country that forces them to leave for a freaking crappy 'medical' test.

Now we will have to apply for the PR, and I am speechless about the CIC posted timeline for this - 24 freaking months....since that is what is posted it makes me guess it is more like 30 months since they are always late.

I am not in a position to travel to Cuba every two months to see him for as long as the process takes, that is insane. Not to mention intestine infections (I had it), the dengue mosquito problem, the total lack of medication and lack of everything, even electricity is cut for hours in a row, etc.

I saw here somewhere that someone mentioned PR and Dual Intent. How is that processed? I have never heard of it before. We absolutely need him to be coming and going.
He owns properties in Cuba, he has a motorcycle (the equivalent of a car here pretty much), he has sole custody in writing of his only 9 year old son, we always planned for him to be coming and going.

Is anyone here able to help me? Answer questions about the process for PR with dual intent?
Or does anyone know a reputable immigration lawyer or paralegal that has in fact processed proven applications that were approved and never returned with errors? And that included dual intent.

I am lost as to when the dual intent is sent to immigration.
Are PR applications online now? I saw there is a portal for this, but I have never used it.
Has anyone submitted their application this year? When and what is your current process status?
Where are people from Cuba going for medical tests? Russia is out of question because of the war and my husband does not speak Russian and little English.

I'll really appreciate any information you can provide, I have too many things going on right now besides CIC stuff and trying really hard to stay strong and calmed.

Thanks so much!
Maria A

- First step is to submit a spousal sponsorship application to sponsor him outland. Place focus on this first so that you can start the clock asap on processing times. I can't comment on applying via paper vs online since the online process is relatively new. Maybe someone else can comment on this. It's your choice if you apply online or via paper. The whole "dual intent" bit has nothing to do with the PR application. Please apply as soon as possible. You've already "lost" around six months by not applying immediately after marriage. Don't delay this any further.
- There is a thread here with posts from individuals who have sponsored their spouses from Cuba. There hasn't been a post here since last year but it contains suggestions on where to get the medical done (and likely other info you'll find useful). Suggest you read through the most recent posts: https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/havana-cuba.107445/page-416
- If you want to try to use dual intent, this applies to the TRV and not the PR application. There is no special application process for TRVs under dual intent. You would apply for the TRV just like you did before. Dual intent is something you'd then mention in a cover letter (it's not an official process). I'm in the camp that doesn't believe that specifically calling out dual intent helps applications at all. But you can try it if you want to. Worst case scenario you'll just end up with another TRV refusal. You can read more about dual intent here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...esidents/visitors/dual-intent-applicants.html
- Going back to my first point, submit the outland sponsorship first before you do the TRV. You want to start the processing time on this as soon as you can and not count on the TRV being approved. The most likely outcome is that the TRV will be refused again unfortunately.

Hope this helps.

 

[scylla]

Scylla is right about getting you outland application started. Takes time to get everything together to get it started. But I don't think Canada asks for anything of applicants from Cuba that is difficult to obtain, from what I recall being told by one person who went through the process from there.

I would agree with this with the exception of the medical. The medical is extremely problematic in Cuba. You have to fly to another country to get one done. And international travel for Cubans is super complicated on top of that.

 

[Naturgrl]

Just to add since he has sole custody of his son, the son will have to undergo a medical as well. So even if your husband gets a TRV, he would need to stay in Canada during inland processing except for a short visit outside Canada, He would not be able “come and go” as you want during processing. If he is in Canada, he would need to arrange for his son to have a medical too.

 

[scylla]

Just to add since he has sole custody of his son, the son will have to undergo a medical as well. So even if your husband gets a TRV, he would need to stay in Canada during inland processing except for a short visit outside Canada, He would not be able “come and go” as you want during processing. If he is in Canada, he would need to arrange for his son to have a medical too.

Good point on the child needing a medical. That is very important given how much of a PITA it is to get the medical.

 

[Naturgrl]

Good point on the child needing a medical. That is very important given how much of a PITA it is to get the medical.

You and your husband are is such a difficult position, and there is no quick solution.

Just thought about it because it may be best for your husband to apply for spousal ASAP and not apply for a TRV. Not what the you want to hear but at least your husband can continue to care for his son and be able to accompany him on the medical. If he was inland on a TRV, he would then have to arrange care for up to 2 years for his son. And arrange for someone to take him (to whatever country) for the medical. He can’t travel back and forth to Cuba. A two or three week trip back during processing is fine.

if you want legal advice, the moderators Cohen Immigration are one of the best immigration law firms.

 

[folsade]

Just to add since he has sole custody of his son, the son will have to undergo a medical as well. So even if your husband gets a TRV, he would need to stay in Canada during inland processing except for a short visit outside Canada, He would not be able “come and go” as you want during processing. If he is in Canada, he would need to arrange for his son to have a medical too.

Hi
We were/are not planning on him staying his for the PR process.
we wanted him to be able to come and go while it is processed in Cuba (Mexico I should say).

 

[Naturgrl]

Hi
We were/are not planning on him staying his for the PR process.
we wanted him to be able to come and go while it is processed in Cuba (Mexico I should say).

So start the outland process.

 

[folsade]

- First step is to submit a spousal sponsorship application to sponsor him outland. Place focus on this first so that you can start the clock asap on processing times. I can't comment on applying via paper vs online since the online process is relatively new. Maybe someone else can comment on this. It's your choice if you apply online or via paper. The whole "dual intent" bit has nothing to do with the PR application. Please apply as soon as possible. You've already "lost" around six months by not applying immediately after marriage. Don't delay this any further.
- There is a thread here with posts from individuals who have sponsored their spouses from Cuba. There hasn't been a post here since last year but it contains suggestions on where to get the medical done (and likely other info you'll find useful). Suggest you read through the most recent posts: https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/havana-cuba.107445/page-416
- If you want to try to use dual intent, this applies to the TRV and not the PR application. There is no special application process for TRVs under dual intent. You would apply for the TRV just like you did before. Dual intent is something you'd then mention in a cover letter (it's not an official process). I'm in the camp that doesn't believe that specifically calling out dual intent helps applications at all. But you can try it if you want to. Worst case scenario you'll just end up with another TRV refusal. You can read more about dual intent here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...esidents/visitors/dual-intent-applicants.html
- Going back to my first point, submit the outland sponsorship first before you do the TRV. You want to start the processing time on this as soon as you can and not count on the TRV being approved. The most likely outcome is that the TRV will be refused again unfortunately.

Hope this helps.

Thanks so much for your response.
I am quite new here, still figuring out the forum.
We applied for the temp visa because we did not have all documents from Cuba, in reality I would have been able to submit the application only in mind June - that is when we got all documents (certified marriage certificate from Cuba, no criminal record from the Cuban federal govt, etc.)
I will start the PR process then, I see the paperwork and I honestly want to cry.
I have to do it now because no criminal record letter expires in Oct.
I will start working on the PR forms.
I did my own application/forms 22 years ago, all by myself.
I hope I can do it again, but clearly the processes have changed.
Thanks!!!

 

[scylla]

Thanks so much for your response.
I am quite new here, still figuring out the forum.
We applied for the temp visa because we did not have all documents from Cuba, in reality I would have been able to submit the application only in mind June - that is when we got all documents (certified marriage certificate from Cuba, no criminal record from the Cuban federal govt, etc.)
I will start the PR process then, I see the paperwork and I honestly want to cry.
I have to do it now because no criminal record letter expires in Oct.
I will start working on the PR forms.
I did my own application/forms 22 years ago, all by myself.
I hope I can do it again, but clearly the processes have changed.
Thanks!!!

If you're finding the process overwhelming, then you may be best off hiring an immigration lawyer to help you. I do think it's critical that you submit the spousal sponsorship process asap. Good luck.