Looking to get sponsored by my spouse! Could use advice.

[fromcalitobc]

I'll do my best to lay forth all of our information.

We are both 26. I am an American citizen in California. She is a Canadian citizen in British Columbia. We have been together for a year and a half, we were engaged a few months ago.

Long story short, we decided we would like to marry and get me into the country through the spousal sponsorship program. We plan to Marry very soon so we may begin the paperwork.

So I ask for your advice. Where do we go from here? How do we get started? How much money will we need? We don't make a lot of money. The rough plan right now is for me to simply stay here in the states and continue saving money until I can legally live in Canada. Any advice would be great, thanks.

 

[parker24]

Hello and congrats!!!

I'm the Canadian one in my marriage, husband is American.

First you need to read over the application guide, found here:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/3900ETOC.asp

Your soon-to-be-wife will need to fill out these papers:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5491E.PDF
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM1344E.PDF
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5481E.PDF
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5540E.PDF

She will also need Option C for 2011 Tax year. She can obtain this from CRA by calling 1-800-959-8281. It's free. There's no set amount of how much each of you need to have with spousal sponsorship, as long as your soon-to-be-wife isn't bankrupt. If she has a job, a letter from the employer is requested as well. If she doesn't she will need to write a letter stating how she will support both of you, be it living with her parents or living with a family member etc.

You will need to fill out these papers:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM0008ENU_2D.pdf
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5669E.PDF
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5490E.PDF

You will need to get an FBI background check as well. This take take up to 12 weeks to do. Just go get your fingerprints wherever you are and send them into the FBI headquarters. More information at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/security/police-cert/north-america/united-states.asp This should be one of the last things you do.

You will also need a medical done. You will have to find a doctor closest to you. Check out here to find one: http://www.cic.gc.ca/dmp-md/medical.aspx You will need 4 photos for the appointment usually. Check the link in the paragraph below for the paper to take with you to get photos done. You will need 4 MORE to send WITH your application. This needs to be done generally within three months of sending your application. As in, the medical needs to be less than 3 months old when sending your application.

Total fees to be sent to CIC is $1040. It's suggested you pay for the full amount to avoid any delays.

You will also need proof of a genuine relationship. Photos, bills with both names on it, banking accounts with both names on it, cards addressed to both of you, chat logs, phone bills showing you called each other etc. Even letters from family members stating they have met you and the like. You'll also need a copy of the marriage certificate, and your passport. Your wife will need to prove she's who she says she is too, usually with a birth certificate. Just follow the documents checklist (the first link in your wife's section and this one for you: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/guides/3910e.pdf), and it'll all come together!

Both parts, your wife's and yours, needs to be sent together. They both go to Mississauga and then to a VO in the US (or to Ottawa, with Buffalo closing, that part I'm confused about!)

I hope that helped! I tried to be as specific as possible Good luck!

 

[Deejaybee]

@ Parker, great response and very specific..........Just completed one myself but from Australia, great feeling when you send it off.

Good Luck