married and living in the USA

[skyeagle1]

Hi all, I am Canadian and married to a US citizen, we have been married for 7 years and and lived in the US for the entire time, I am a 10 year green card holder, My husband is retiring and we would like to move to Canada to be close to all my family. What is the procedure for this to happen? thanks for any and all imput.

 

[rhcohen2014]

start here:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/sponsor/spouse-apply-how.asp

click on "get the application package" and choose the package for OUTSIDE of canada. you do NOT want the INSIDE canada package. There is absoultey NO reason for a us citizen to apply INSIDE canada right now, so you want to apply OUTLAND.

You will want to read the "guide to sponsorship" first. there is A LOT of information needed, and until you read the guide and application forms, we will not be able to help you specifically. it is better to ask specific questions once you get a general idea of what is required. The application forms can be filled in by hand or on the computer.

The applicant will need to get an fbi record done and a medical exam by an approved panel doctor (list is provided in the guide). The fbi record is only valid for 3 months, so you need to coordinate when you receive it with sending in your package. currently, fbi records are being completed in 30 days, not including mail time. They must be requested directly through the fbi.

go here for how to get one:
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks

What i can tell you right now is that us applicants are processed through the OTTAWA visa office. They are NOT sent to LA unless there is a concern with the application and an interview is required. NY does not process family class apps anymore, so if there IS an interview, it WILL be in LA. Generally, us applicants are waived the interview. the most common reasons for interviews for a us citizen is related to non-accompanying minors, criminality issues, or if the applicant is not a us citizen (the APPLICANT is a green card holder or in the us on a work visa).

Right now US applications are being processed quickly. Currently the trend is 3-6 months for approval. The processing time does go up and down based on the number of applications received. the application processing times on the CIC website are highly inaccurate and do not reflect TODAY'S PROCESSING.

Again, read the guide, get familiar with the forms, and come back with specific questions if you have any.

 

[keesio]

Welcome and check out this thread:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/us-outland-applicants-thread-t106068.0.html

The first post in it has some good links. While the post is old, I think the link are still valid.

Also recommended is to apply outland. Outland applications for Americans are currently moving at a super fast speed... some are currently getting done in less than 4 months!

 

[Ponga]

If you are a Canadian citizen (sounds like you are), you can start the sponsorship process now, while you are both living in the U.S., by preparing and submitting an Outland application. The average processing time for an American (without any `red flags', such as criminal or medical inadmissibility issues or a questionable marriage to the sponsor) are ~ 6 months (not the > 20 months that are shown on the CIC website). The vast majority of American applicants are processed entirely in Canada and are not sent to the NY or LA Visa Offices, which are the offices that are currently taking that long to process.

As you know, your Green Card residency requirements make it difficult to conform to the 6 months per year requirement, while your husband would have to spend 730 days out of 5 years in Canada, to meet his PR residency obligation. However, if you and he decide to return to the U.S., his days there with you will count towards his required 730 days here. That would certainly make it easier for you to retain your Green Card.

Good luck!