Sponsoring my American girlfriend

[ShhImmaNinja]

Hi there,

I am a Canadian citizen who met my girlfriend online in June of 2013. We got together officially in August 2013. After six months, in February of 2014 we met for the first time when she flew to Buffalo NY and I took a bus there from Toronto. We're planning another trip, this time me going to California in October. She wants to move to Canada eventually and we're trying to figure out the fastest way she can do this while also working here.

So far, our plan is to get married the next time she is in Canada (next year most likely) and then apply for sponsorship when she goes back to California. We plan to use the time that she in the states and waiting through the application process to save up for our own place here in Canada.

Looking at the current processing times for the LA office, it looks as though the wait time for outland processing in the visa office in California is 30months. We don't want to be apart for that long, but we can't figure out a way for her to be in Canada at the same time as the application as she isn't eligible for the skilled workers program and she wants to work during the time it takes for the application to be approved. Does anyone have any advice or experience they could offer in this situation?

 

[taffy7]

First things first start keeping all your chat logs, any cards you keep send to each other, photos of the two of you , phone bills showing you calling each other and any thing that will prove your relationship is genuine. The bus tickets you had when you went to meet her and your next trip anything you can put together untill you send your application off .

Once you get married you can apply outland , then your girlfriend will be able to travel freely back and fourth to Canada well not quite as easy as that but we can go their later. You can apply as soon as you get your marriage certificate .Start reading over all the forms now to get you familiar with them .

 

[Ponga]

For an American with a straightforward application (meaning, no red flags), the processing is actually done in Canada (Ottawa). The processing times are much faster than the 30 months that you have seen. Typically, an American can complete the entire process in ~ 12 months, or less.

Also, if she can come to Canada as a visitor, she can stay with you in Canada while she awaits a decision. She would only need to maintain her legal visitor status, but would no be able to work or study without the proper permit.

Good luck!

 

[taffy7]

You don't need to earn a certain amount of money to sponsor your girlfriend or spouse but you can not be on welfare or have gone bankrupt recently. Make sure you file your taxes this year because you will need to obtain a option c printout from CRA,and you may not be able to get one next year soon enough if you apply right after you are married. Keep your pay stubs from now till then for proof of income they like to see 12 months . If you do facetime take screen shots of the two of you. Look at some insurance companies for life insurance so you can put each other as beneficiaries.If you have a credit card add your girlfriend to the card as an additional user. What we are trying to do right now is establish a history for the two of you for the future application to be very strong . Unfortunately just getting married is not enough .

 

[ShhImmaNinja]

Thanks guys, very helpful! I am going to start putting together logs and stuff but there is a toooon of stuff ahah.

So if she applies from California, the processing will still be done in Ottawa? Why does the processing time for that visa office in LA say 30months?
I understand if she applies outland she can visit, but without the work permit she won't be able to work, which is why we are looking for her to stay in Cali where she can continue working until the sponsorship is approved.

I would like to make a joint savings account but with her being in the states and making money in USD, that will cost to transfer, etc. Perhaps a joint paypal or something to transfer into one account under our names would work. I'll look into that with my bank

 

[rhcohen2014]

Thanks guys, very helpful! I am going to start putting together logs and stuff but there is a toooon of stuff ahah.

So if she applies from California, the processing will still be done in Ottawa? Why does the processing time for that visa office in LA say 30months?
I understand if she applies outland she can visit, but without the work permit she won't be able to work, which is why we are looking for her to stay in Cali where she can continue working until the sponsorship is approved.

I would like to make a joint savings account but with her being in the states and making money in USD, that will cost to transfer, etc. Perhaps a joint paypal or something to transfer into one account under our names would work. I'll look into that with my bank

us applications only get transferred to LA if there is a major issue with the application: ie: suspicion of misrepresentation, criminal record of applicant, suspicion of marriage fraud, etc. Unless there is something serious in the applicant's history, the application will go to ottawa. the processing time is about 8-10 months. you can certainly open a joint account in canada, and have her send you checks to avoid transfer fees. she doesn't even need to put money in it, just having both names on the account is all that's needed. CIC isn't going to sift through bank statements to see who deposited what.

 

[taffy7]

There is also a medical that she will have to have and a criminal check FBI . rhcohen2014 can help you with this one . If she has lived out of the country any country for more than 6 months since the age of 18 she will need a criminal check from these two .

 

[rhcohen2014]

There is also a medical that she will have to have and a criminal check FBI . rhcohen2014 can help you with this one . If she has lived out of the country any country for more than 6 months since the age of 18 she will need a criminal check from these two .

it's important to note CIC only considers FBI records valid for 3 months, so it's essential to try to time getting them with sending the application. Getting the record is very easy. The wait time varies month to month. Medical exams are valid for a year, and CIC can extend the validity of the results, so it's not as much as an issue getting them done months prior to submitting.

 

[taffy7]

it's important to note CIC only considers FBI records valid for 3 months, so it's essential to try to time getting them with sending the application. Getting the record is very easy. The wait time varies month to month. Medical exams are valid for a year, and CIC can extend the validity of the results, so it's not as much as an issue getting them done months prior to submitting.

Would you advise them to have the medicals done in Canada or the states? Cost wise.

 

[rhcohen2014]

Would you advise them to have the medicals done in Canada or the states? Cost wise.

from what i've heard, it's a lot less expensive in Canada. In CT, it cost $400 for exam and xray. Prices also vary state to state. I would recommened calling the panel doctors in girlfriend's area in Cali and compare prices to Toronto. Not sure which would be cheaper, though i heard Canada was $250ish - again, don't know where in canada that was.

 

[ShhImmaNinja]

wow, you guys are insanely helpful! I believe she has insurance that would cover a full physical in Cali, so hopefully she does and we can avoid the charges for that. I believe that she needs to be in person with with ID and with me at the bank to add her to my account, so next time she's in Canada we will do that just for adding that legitimate "trust" purposes towards our application.

Wondering if it would be considered flagged for any reason because she has past military experience?

 

[rhcohen2014]

wow, you guys are insanely helpful! I believe she has insurance that would cover a full physical in Cali, so hopefully she does and we can avoid the charges for that. I believe that she needs to be in person with with ID and with me at the bank to add her to my account, so next time she's in Canada we will do that just for adding that legitimate "trust" purposes towards our application.

Wondering if it would be considered flagged for any reason because she has past military experience?

why would military experience flag her?

the medical exams are not covered by insurance. the doctors are specifically registered as "panel doctors" for immigration, and most likely her primary care physician is not a choice. The instruction guide online will provide a link to the specific doctors registered to administer the test. The doctors have to send the report to immigration by a specific system and give an "emedical" receipt that is specific for canadian immigration.

 

[ShhImmaNinja]

No idea, just making sure it wouldn't.

Alright, we'll take a look at the costs in both places and see which is cheaper, thank you!

 

[ShhImmaNinja]

Sorry, quick extra question. Would us being younger decrease the chances of a positive outcome in our application? She's 22 and I'm 20. By the time this comes around I guess we'll be 23/21, I just don't want them to think we're "too young."

 

[taffy7]

No age has nothing to do with it .When i first came to Canada i was 22 and married . I arrived in January right in the middle of winter. I personal think being the age you are is better than being older has you have so much to offer .I may get stick for saying that .