I want to move back to Canada and bring my family - HELP!!

[hormones]

I am a CDN citizen, married an American 11yrs ago and have lived in the US with him ever since being granted a fiance visa by the US in 1997. We have 2 children - both are US citizens (I have not filed for their dual citizenship). We want to move back to Alberta where I am from. If I understand correctly, I should file the sponsorship papers from the US through Buffalo, NY and don't move anywhere until we are approved. I think that this process of my husband and children being approved for PR can take anywhere from 6-12 months on average. Our intent is to live with my Mom until we are squared away, so we won't have to worry about rent and the typical necessities. Here are my questions:

1. Once they're approved (if at all)...how long do we have to get moved to Canada before the "paperwork" expires?
2. Do I need to be a resident in Canada before they come across the border?
3. Do I need to have a job already before we move? ("To show financial ability")
4. If he has PR status, is he then allowed to legally work when he arrives - or is a work permit necessary still?

I am sure I can think of a million more questions, but these are the pressing ones and I don't want to scare anyone away. All I can see here are logistical headaches (which I am willing to take).
Deanne

 

[Leon]

You don't have to worry about the kids, they are already citizens because you are. At some point you should file for a citizenship certificate for them and Canadian passports. It takes about 10 months for the former, 2 weeks for the latter.

You can sponsor the husband while you are still in the US if you can prove to immigration somehow that you are planning to move to Canada when he gets his PR. When he gets his PR visa, normally he would have several months to "land" in Canada to activate his PR status before the visa expires but he doesn't have to stay if he's not ready to move.

If you wait until you are in Canada before applying for PR, he can stay with you as a visitor but can not work until he's approved. You don't need to show income to sponsor a spouse.

 

[hormones]

Thank you Leon, I appreciate the thorough information. I was not aware about the kids. I will have to look into that - I had no idea it was that simple. I always planned to get it done before they turned 18. Anyway, are there specific criteria for proving that I will move with him when he gets his PR? I've read about a letter for offer of employment, school registration etc... We are simply planning to move back (together) and start over (again). I moved from Canada and started over 11yrs ago, then we moved with our son from OK to FL 9 yrs ago (and started over)...aside from the immigration process, this should simple...or atleast familiar territory.
Thanks again!
PS - I am searching the immigration websites and such, but it's so confusing and not situation specific.

 

[Leon]

If you need to prove that you are going to live in Canada, you could show job offers, show that you have a place to stay, get letters from relatives who know about your plans etc. If you would rather move to Canada already, you can do that and just apply for his PR then but then he's stuck in Canada without being allowed to work for a while. Or other alternative, you go and set up a 2nd residence in Canada and he's living with one foot in the US until he gets his PR.

 

[hormones]

Like I said, logistical nightmare. Add in selling a house, vehicles, personal possessions that I don't want to pay to move and children starting school...crazy. I am not sure I can even find a reasonably priced moving company that will go this far to move the stuff that won't fit in our car when we drive there. I have plenty of close personal friends and family there who would attest to our plans in writing, as well as provide the place to stay etc... That's the easiest part of all this. Hopefully our house will sell (it has to). Can I request a mailed application packet from Buffalo, or do I need to do it all online???

 

[Leon]

You can print out all the forms form online.

 

[hormones]

Okay thanks.