Sponsoring a spouse wait times and process

[sam16]

Hi everyone!
Currently my fiancee (American) and I (Canadian) have been together for almost 3 years. We have decided to live here in Canada when we are married. He is coming up early next year and we would like to get married then. After getting married would he have to go back to Florida to send in the application or would he be ok to stay here in Canada with me? Also if anyone has had personal experience on the average wait time for the application please share. Would he be able to get an extended visitor visa while the application is going through? If he has to go back to Florida will he be able to come up to Canada. I read on some post that their spouse has been denied entry into Canada because their PR is being process and they don't have strong ties to their home country. My fiancee has a business back in Florida, are those considered strong enough ties. The last time he came up to visit, he flew in and the office didn't stamp his passport. This time around we plan on driving across the boarder. Thanks in advance!

 

[brucem]

Hi everyone!
Currently my fiancee (American) and I (Canadian) have been together for almost 3 years. We have decided to live here in Canada when we are married. He is coming up early next year and we would like to get married then. After getting married would he have to go back to Florida to send in the application or would he be ok to stay here in Canada with me? Also if anyone has had personal experience on the average wait time for the application please share. Would he be able to get an extended visitor visa while the application is going through? If he has to go back to Florida will he be able to come up to Canada. I read on some post that their spouse has been denied entry into Canada because their PR is being process and they don't have strong ties to their home country. My fiancee has a business back in Florida, are those considered strong enough ties. The last time he came up to visit, he flew in and the office didn't stamp his passport. This time around we plan on driving across the boarder. Thanks in advance!

Hi Sam,

Once you are married you can complete an Outland application for spousal sponsorship, you can find all the info on the CIC website......dont complete an inland one! Currently US citizens are being processed in or around 6 months for outland applications. He can stay with you during the process as long as he keeps legal status in Canada. Its unwise to turn up at the border with all his possessions before he gets his PR as yes he could be refused entry as he does not have his PR and no ties if he has sold business/house etc. As long as he can show that he plans to return and he still has ties to Florida while the app is in process he will have no problems. Once in Canada he can apply for an extension of his visitor visa if necessary.

I think there is an American thread somewhere on the forum that can give you lots more useful advice for those going through the process or have done it previously. Good luck!

 

[sam16]

Thank you for youre reply. Are the wait times different when applying inland and outland? i read that if he applies inland he will be able to work. he doesnt plan to sell the business or anything until the whole situation is done with. as far as ties go, he has a daughter in flroida that his mom has legal guardian over, will that raise any red flags? we've already planned that he wouldnt bring his belongings over until all the paper work is done, it would just be easier if he had his car with him so that way we can bring our cat with us this time.

 

[MilesAway]

The processing times for inland are much longer. Yes, he can get a work permit, after stage 1, which is currently at 13 months. If you apply outland, as you should, he should be done with his PR card in about half that time. Also, if he applies inland, it's not recommended that he leave Canada at all.

 

[rhcohen2014]

Thank you for youre reply. Are the wait times different when applying inland and outland? i read that if he applies inland he will be able to work. he doesnt plan to sell the business or anything until the whole situation is done with. as far as ties go, he has a daughter in flroida that his mom has legal guardian over, will that raise any red flags? we've already planned that he wouldnt bring his belongings over until all the paper work is done, it would just be easier if he had his car with him so that way we can bring our cat with us this time.

DO NOT APPLY INLAND! As a visa exempt visitor and us citizen, there is aboslutely NO reason AT ALL to apply inland. Current US OUTLAND applicants are getting approved in 3-7 months. If you apply inland, you are waiting 13-14 months JUST to get an open work permit approved, then AT LEAST another 8 months to get pr approved. As an outland applicant, you can land and legally be available to work in 3-7 months time. Get inland out of your head. you will be making a HUGE mistake.

If he owns his own business and can work remotely for his US or non-canadian clients, he can do that while in canada as a visitor - he does not need a work permit to do that. it will actually help him at the border if he can prove he works remotely for us clients and gets paid by us funds.

there is no issue bringing a car into canada as a visitor. just make sure your insurance company will cover anything that may happen while the car is in canada.