Moving to Canada to begin inland sponsorship?

[kaitekat]

This has likely come up before but I didn't see anything when I tried searching, so I apologize if I'm asking something that's been answered already ^^;

My American fiance and I are getting married this July, but he's not actually going to join me in Canada until September/October. We're planning on going with inland sponsorship because we're hoping to take advantage of the faster work permit program they've got going on. Our main concern at the moment is crossing the border once he comes up. He's been up here before with no problems, but that was only for a fairly short visit. He'll only be on 'visitor' status while the application is being processed, so how much is he allowed to bring up? Are we likely to have problems if we show up at the border with a carload of his stuff? Or should we be only packing the absolute bare minimum and putting the rest of his stuff in storage? (We really don't want to have to rent a storage bin for an extended period of time; those get really pricey!)

 

[truesmile]

Yes showing up at the border with a car-load of stuff will cause you problems. You might consider getting Nexus cards (may as well for both of you). It makes US/CAN border crossing a breeze (so long as there's a Nexus lane where you cross.

 

[surleplateau]

You have to show that he's only "visiting" so only bring 1-2 suitcases. Not a car full of all his worldly possessions (that will make it seem like he's moving).

CBSA is not CIC. Keep that in mind. You want to convince CBSA that he's just visiting. Once he's in Canada, you can ask CIC to let him stay longer (application to extend stay in Canada, all online, simple).

 

[taffy7]

If you apply outand when you get married you will be half way there before he even gets owp. With an inland application, it not advised to leave the country and for him to get full PR its taking about two years inland. If you order the FBI fingerprints and get his medical done here in Canada when he comes up to get married . Many have sent off the application without the marriage certificate and it has been fine.

 

[Ponga]

Totally agree with Taffy.

Don't let the `dangling carrot' of the OWP hypnotize you into waiting until he steps foot in Canada to apply Inland. Apply the day after you are married (Outland) and when he does arrive in Canada this Fall, you'll [hopefully] be ~ half-way through the entire process.

He will likely have his PR (Outland) in about the same time as just having the OWP (Inland).

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Also totally agree. Apply outland ASAP after getting married.

 

[taffy7]

The other thing too,is when he comes back up he will be in the system and it seems to be much easier getting back into the country .

I honesty never thought CBSA new any thing what was going in ,but when my husband came after we were married and applied outland the CBSA officer asked how is application was going.

He was let in,no problems at all,but he wasn't coming to stay and always carries all the info ..Well that's not entirely true .My husband is allergic to paper work, so i bring every thing with me when i'm meeting him at the airport.

 

[kaitekat]

Thank you so much for all your replies. If outland is going to be that much faster, I think we'll go with that route. Hopefully there will be no problems with the application and we get through it quick!

 

[Amalthea]

Thank you so much for all your replies. If outland is going to be that much faster, I think we'll go with that route. Hopefully there will be no problems with the application and we get through it quick!

Outland is taking 10 months max for Americans atm, through the Ottawa VO. It fluctuates, of course, it will probably speed up again back to 5-8 months. Considering you are going to stay in the US for awhile, it really only makes sense to apply Outland. You can then go to Canada when you're ready, but he can only be "visiting" until he gets his PR - ie, no carload of stuff for the American

 

[kaitekat]

Considering you are going to stay in the US for awhile, it really only makes sense to apply Outland.

I'm not planning to, but he is going to stay there for the first few months and we'll be separated until he can join me. But your point is well taken