Marriage Visa or Spouse Sponsored PR?

[southlanecherry]

Hello everyone,

I am of Chinese nationality. My husband is a Canadian citizen. We are currently living outside of Canada with no plan of returning to Canada in the next few years. We visit Canada at least once a year and it is a hassle for me to get a visitor visa. So I am wondering if I should apply for a spouse PR or a marriage visa. Here are my questions:

1)Do I need to qualify for the minimum stay requirement for PR? I heard that as a spouse, this requirement is not necessary. Is this accurate?
2)What does a marriage visa entail? How often do I have to renew it?
3) Given my circumstances, I won't be living in Canada in the near future, is it the best idea to apply for PR?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!!

 

[scylla]

It doesn't make sense for you to apply for PR at this time. In order for your husband to be approved as your sponsor, he will have to provide proof that he has plans to return to Canada and to live in Canada as soon as your PR status is granted. If he can't provide evidence to support this fact, then your PR application will be refused. It would make more sense to apply for PR once you are actually ready to live in Canada.

 

[zardoz]

Hello everyone,

I am of Chinese nationality. My husband is a Canadian citizen. We are currently living outside of Canada with no plan of returning to Canada in the next few years. We visit Canada at least once a year and it is a hassle for me to get a visitor visa. So I am wondering if I should apply for a spouse PR or a marriage visa. Here are my questions:

1)Do I need to qualify for the minimum stay requirement for PR? I heard that as a spouse, this requirement is not necessary. Is this accurate?
2)What does a marriage visa entail? How often do I have to renew it?
3) Given my circumstances, I won't be living in Canada in the near future, is it the best idea to apply for PR?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!!

As far as I am aware, there is no such thing as a marriage visa. Where do you think it is documented?

 

[Leon]

There is no such thing as a marriage visa. There is a visit visa and there is PR. Like you have been told, if your spouse wants to sponsor you for PR, they would need to show plans of moving to Canada when you get it. If they succeed and you get your PR, your time spent with your spouse abroad actually counts as time in Canada towards the PR residency requirements so you would not have to worry about losing your PR even if you don't stay in Canada. The only thing you would have to renew is the PR card every 5 years but that can also be tricky if you don't live in Canada.

I think it would be better for you to apply for a 10 year multiple entry visit visa. You don't really need a PR at this point.