Returning to Canada with Spouse and Children

[CanadianK]

I am in the process of returning to Canada with my spouse (US citizen) and children (US by birth, Canadian through me). I have applied for proof of citizenship for my children, but have not yet received it. I have made some phone calls to the Canadian Consulate in the US, and Border Services.

My understanding from talking to Border services is that my husband AND children can move to Canada with me and then process immigration paperwork for my husband once in Canada. A lot of what I am reading online contradicts that. Can anyone confirm?

According to OHIP, myself and the children are immediately eligible for OHIP coverage. My husband, however, it seems would not be eligible until he receives his PR status. It is my understanding that this might take a year or more. It looks like he could be eligible if he was granted a work permit, but I am unable to find a time frame for processing the OWP. Does anyone know approximately how long that might take?

Thanks.

 

[scylla]

I am in the process of returning to Canada with my spouse (US citizen) and children (US by birth, Canadian through me). I have applied for proof of citizenship for my children, but have not yet received it. I have made some phone calls to the Canadian Consulate in the US, and Border Services.

My understanding from talking to Border services is that my husband AND children can move to Canada with me and then process immigration paperwork for my husband once in Canada. A lot of what I am reading online contradicts that. Can anyone confirm?

According to OHIP, myself and the children are immediately eligible for OHIP coverage. My husband, however, it seems would not be eligible until he receives his PR status. It is my understanding that this might take a year or more. It looks like he could be eligible if he was granted a work permit, but I am unable to find a time frame for processing the OWP. Does anyone know approximately how long that might take?

Thanks.

OWP is taking around 5-6 months these days. The OWP needs to be submitted together with the inland sponsorship application once you are in Canada.

Your children will be eligible for OHIP as soon as you have proof of citizenship for them.

 

[CanadianK]

So we're looking at a minimum of 9 months or more before my husband would be eligible for health insurance?

 

[YVR123]

So we're looking at a minimum of 9 months or more before my husband would be eligible for health insurance?

proivded that he find a full time job after he received the OWP.

 

[CanadianK]

Thanks. Not worried about finding an employer since he can work for our family owned business as soon as he has a work permit.

Do you know if we choose to apply outland if he can still come to Canada to visit while the Visa is processing?

 

[YVR123]

He can come and visit but I don't not know if COVID will change any of this.
Some other members may be more update with the border situration now. I am not sure what is essential travel and what is not.

If he's allowed to cross the border, he will need to be quaratined for 2 weeks in isolation. (not with the whole family unless the whole family quaratine with him from outside for the entire period)

 

[CanadianK]

Thanks.

I really, truly want to move home and I have an incredible job opportunity. But... I am really struggling with the idea that our family will be separated for a year, or more.

 

[armoured]

Thanks.

I really, truly want to move home and I have an incredible job opportunity. But... I am really struggling with the idea that our family will be separated for a year, or more.

Your family does not need to be separated. You can arrive to Canada and apply inland for him; he should get a work permit within some number of months.

If you choose to apply outland, he can also join you and travel freely, but no work permit. ("Freely" of course only in context of covid-19).

 

[Lenafabricio219]

I’m going through the same situation. We’re leaning more towards Outland sponsorship though, are you doing the paperwork yourselves or hiring an attorney?

 

[armoured]

I’m going through the same situation. We’re leaning more towards Outland sponsorship though, are you doing the paperwork yourselves or hiring an attorney?

Obviously every case is different so personal opinion only: for straightforward family sponsorship cases, you do not need an attorney. The task of applying is tedious, you have to be careful and truthful, and you have to follow instructions (and clarify things you do not know), but there is nothing particularly difficult.

If you find the task too time consuming and can afford it, nothing wrong with hiring outside help, of course. Up to you.

When I looked into it, I decided that I would still need to do quite a bit myself - collect and provide all documents - and that the time savings would be too small to justify the cost.

 

[canuck78]

I am in the process of returning to Canada with my spouse (US citizen) and children (US by birth, Canadian through me). I have applied for proof of citizenship for my children, but have not yet received it. I have made some phone calls to the Canadian Consulate in the US, and Border Services.

My understanding from talking to Border services is that my husband AND children can move to Canada with me and then process immigration paperwork for my husband once in Canada. A lot of what I am reading online contradicts that. Can anyone confirm?

According to OHIP, myself and the children are immediately eligible for OHIP coverage. My husband, however, it seems would not be eligible until he receives his PR status. It is my understanding that this might take a year or more. It looks like he could be eligible if he was granted a work permit, but I am unable to find a time frame for processing the OWP. Does anyone know approximately how long that might take?

Thanks.

You’ll need proof of citizenship for the children to qualify for OHIP. Due to covid OWP seem to be taking 6+ months so your husband will need to be prepared not to work for over 6 months but would assume 6-9 months is likely based on others posting their timelines.

 

[Lenafabricio219]

Obviously every case is different so personal opinion only: for straightforward family sponsorship cases, you do not need an attorney. The task of applying is tedious, you have to be careful and truthful, and you have to follow instructions (and clarify things you do not know), but there is nothing particularly difficult.

If you find the task too time consuming and can afford it, nothing wrong with hiring outside help, of course. Up to you.

When I looked into it, I decided that I would still need to do quite a bit myself - collect and provide all documents - and that the time savings would be too small to justify the cost.

Thank you, that is definitely true. I feel like my situation is pretty straightforward. The consultations I’ve had with two law firms made it seem like it’s very simple with my case. I was born in Canada. Been married and living down here in the states for 7 years with two children both born here. I don’t know if I could justify paying the quotes they gave me which was $2500 CAD and the other for $4500 CAD.

 

[CanadianK]

I’m going through the same situation. We’re leaning more towards Outland sponsorship though, are you doing the paperwork yourselves or hiring an attorney?

I'm not sure yet. When I moved here we used an attorney and get it was worth it, so we will likely do the same this time.

 

[CanadianK]

You’ll need proof of citizenship for the children to qualify for OHIP. Due to covid OWP seem to be taking 6+ months so your husband will need to be prepared not to work for over 6 months but would assume 6-9 months is likely based on others posting their timelines.

When I called OHIP they said that birth certificates and my passport were sufficient for the kids. They would issue a card valid for one year, then when proof of citizenship arrived we would receive a permanent card.

We aren't worried about my husband working. The plan is he will be home with my girls to help support the transition, and as I transition into my new (very demanding) job. The lack of comprehensive health insurance for him is worrisome, and possibly problematic.

 

[armoured]

Thank you, that is definitely true. I feel like my situation is pretty straightforward. The consultations I’ve had with two law firms made it seem like it’s very simple with my case. I was born in Canada. Been married and living down here in the states for 7 years with two children both born here. I don’t know if I could justify paying the quotes they gave me which was $2500 CAD and the other for $4500 CAD.

I recommend you download all of the forms and go through and look at what you need to provide. Key point: skip over anything you don't understand at first or think might be difficult and come back to them later. Look at the parts you don't have documents for and will have to get. You'll likely see that most of the info needed is pure "fill in information you have anyway."

The parts that don't make sense or seem hard - you can ask about here or search for online or read the instructions carefully and you'll figure out what they mean. Getting documents - you'll have to get them anyway.

Skipping over the parts that don't make sense at first is important because it can seem intimidating if you get hung up on them. Later when you come back to them it will turn out they are not that hard, you just didn't understand first time through. Every bureaucratic system is different and takes a bit of time to 'grok.'

Since you are Canadian-born, your kids are citizens and you're really only sponsoring your spouse.

Again, up to you, but my case was more difficult (foreign language docs, previous marriages for both sponsor and applicant, previous immigration status of applicant, actual legal marriage only shortly before the application despite a child, etc), and it was still pretty straightforward. The only part I was worried about was the security check.

I have no experience with US immigration (since someone mentioned was 'worth it') but they are different systems and it's not clear that the value judgment translates.

BUT: true for every bureaucratic system - double,, triple, quadruple check the forms before you submit. The number of files delayed significantly because applicants forget to sign where needed - which really does result in significant delays because you start from scratch - is FAR bigger than you would think.