Sponsoring my Korean wife for permanent residency

[Marticus]

Hey everyone,

I'm back in Canada. Want to get back into Canadian healthcare. Just a matter of rolling into any healthcare office and stating to them that I'm back? Or do I even need to do that? because I'm starting work next week, and maybe my employer will just do that for me?

Also, do I need to do anything in terms of income tax? meaning I've been a "non-resident" for years now, should I go in and declare to someone that I am back? or is this just another thing that automatically kicks in once they see I'm working in Canada again?

Thanks!

 

[kazzy]

hey again kazzy,

When did you send your application package in? I'm assuming early mid December-ish? I'm assuming you are an outland (Manila office) applicant? If so, we are pretty much on the same timeline, as I just got the additional docs request too and sent it off... via EMS ... haha

I haven't checked my ECAS lately, but I will do that after this message... but I 'think' from what I'm seeing with other is, that is you are from a passport exempt country like Korea, it becomes a formality for Manila to send you an additional docs request... because right at the exact same time, people who must send in their passports, are getting messages from Manila. Meaning, December applicants are ALL being processed.

So I would say you have nothing to worry about with the timing. Unless you missed the 45 day deadline? June 8th to now is cutting it close to get your additional docs in, so maybe they got it, just in time, and updated ECAS on the same day as receiving your docs

Hey Marticus!

Thanks for the quick answer about the license. I'm from Ontario and I do believe they have a reciprocal agreement with South Korea because that's how I got my Korean license. I'll hang on to it then and get the driving abstract.

And sorry...I made a typo..they requested additional docs June 18th and we sent back July 14th by EMS. And yes we applied early December and I was approved as a sponsor by January. We were so worried about proving intent that we really went overboard trying to include anything we could (after reading about a few other applicants being refused....)

So, you're saying I shouldn't worry?

 

[bartjones]

Hey Marticus!
Thanks for the quick answer about the license. I'm from Ontario and I do believe they have a reciprocal agreement with South Korea because that's how I got my Korean license. I'll hang on to it then and get the driving abstract.

Yes there is a reciprocal agreement. If you can get your Ontario driver's license back before you leave Korea, I'd definitely do that. Otherwise the process is quite complicated and time consuming. I described it way back on p. 39 of this thread. Basically, you'll need to get your Korean license 'validated' at the Korean embassy in Toronto before they will grant you an Ontario one. The driving abstract won't help you. You can save yourself the hassle by just exchanging it before you leave Korea.

 

[bartjones]

I'm back in Canada. Want to get back into Canadian healthcare. Just a matter of rolling into any healthcare office and stating to them that I'm back? Or do I even need to do that? because I'm starting work next week, and maybe my employer will just do that for me?

Which province?

Also, do I need to do anything in terms of income tax? meaning I've been a "non-resident" for years now, should I go in and declare to someone that I am back? or is this just another thing that automatically kicks in once they see I'm working in Canada again?

When you file your 2014 return next year there is a box on the first page for people who either became or ceased to be residents of Canada for tax purposes during the tax year. You just check that box and you're back on the tax grid.

 

[Marticus]

Thanks for clarifying bartjones, wasn't sure exactly what ON required. I got my AB license with no worries on Friday with the driver's abstract and Korean license. When i asked, she let me keep my Korean license as well (didn't have to surrender it) because I told her I'd be returning to Korea before it's 2018 expiry date and I'd need it to rent a car and drive there.

I'm in Alberta, re: healthcare reinstatement


Kazzy, what did you include, if you don't mind me asking, the second time around?

I sent copies (no originals) of everything I sent the first time (strategy essay, parental support letter, job search tactics, courier email communication) + I added a job offer and a round trip ticket, a couple other small things. I'm pretty sure the job offer will put me over the top. But if you are STILL in Korea, and you added WHATEVER you could, going over the top like you said, you have nothing to worry about. I personally think the "intent" part of the whole application package is the strangest requirement they have. Like seriously, we wouldn't be putting up all this money, doing all this paperwork if we weren't coming back! ha

 

[bartjones]

I'm in Alberta, re: healthcare reinstatement

I'm pretty sure that others in this thread who returned to Alberta just went in and obtained their provincial health care immediately. No waiting required. You might want to look back in this thread for posts by CanNZ who returned to Alberta last year and has already been through the process.

 

[kazzy]

Kazzy, what did you include, if you don't mind me asking, the second time around?

I sent copies (no originals) of everything I sent the first time (strategy essay, parental support letter, job search tactics, courier email communication) + I added a job offer and a round trip ticket, a couple other small things. I'm pretty sure the job offer will put me over the top. But if you are STILL in Korea, and you added WHATEVER you could, going over the top like you said, you have nothing to worry about. I personally think the "intent" part of the whole application package is the strangest requirement they have. Like seriously, we wouldn't be putting up all this money, doing all this paperwork if we weren't coming back! ha

Hey Marticus

I included everything you mentioned above. My strategy was to go with the point that I've never really left permanently. I still have my health care. I included documentation showing that I got a new family doctor in 2013 and have kept my bank accounts, credit cards, point cards, library cards, RRSP contributions. I showed that I've kept up my professional fees with the Ontario college of teachers every year. I included letters from at least 10 people and included conversations from friends that were like " WHEN are you coming home already...." I included a letter from a real estate agent that we inquired to about housing, insurance reps for health care for my husband. Bank statements showing that we have savings to live on when we get to Canada. Basically everything we could think of EXCEPT a job offer and a plane ticket.

 

[onwards]

Hi everyone,

I have to get my wife to take immigration photographs for the "Appendix B Photograph Specifications" as part of the extra docs immigration requested. Does anyone know how many pictures she has to take and send in? It doesn't say in "Appendix B Photograph Specifications". I've emailed the people in Manilla a week ago and I haven't gotten a reply.

 

[Marticus]

Anyone else have any problems / delays / missed deliveries shipping documents to the Philippines (from Korea) via EMS?

 

[kazzy]

Anyone else have any problems / delays / missed deliveries shipping documents to the Philippines (from Korea) via EMS?

My husband didn't get a confirmation of delivery through text message..I think he was checking on it today.

 

[kazzy]

Anyone else have any problems / delays / missed deliveries shipping documents to the Philippines (from Korea) via EMS?

It was delivered on Friday 18th. And a decision had been made by Sunday evening??? weird!

 

[bartjones]

Hi everyone,

I have to get my wife to take immigration photographs for the "Appendix B Photograph Specifications" as part of the extra docs immigration requested. Does anyone know how many pictures she has to take and send in? It doesn't say in "Appendix B Photograph Specifications". I've emailed the people in Manilla a week ago and I haven't gotten a reply.

Nine photos. It's item 18 on the document checklist for Korean applicants. You can find it here http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/guides/3907e.pdf

 

[jason_kelly]

Just an update from me. I applied for sponsorship for my wife on Oct 27 last year and we got her Confirmation of Permanent Residency 2 weeks ago. Good timing as she was back in Korea visiting her parents with our kids anyway, so now when she comes next week she can officially land! So 9 months start to finish for us. Thanks again to so many of you who offered advice during the application process.
Cheers
Jason

 

[bartjones]

Just an update from me. I applied for sponsorship for my wife on Oct 27 last year and we got her Confirmation of Permanent Residency 2 weeks ago. Good timing as she was back in Korea visiting her parents with our kids anyway, so now when she comes next week she can officially land! So 9 months start to finish for us. Thanks again to so many of you who offered advice during the application process.
Cheers
Jason

Congrats and thanks for the update.

 

[Red Tape Sucks]

I have now emailed Manilla twice and sent registered mail once (which they received) with a request to change my address..... Been over a month since the first email was sent, and still nothing changed online.... Been back in Canada now a little over a week and have a growing dislike of our government.. haha They move at a snails pace, and service Ontario do not seem to have a clue what they are talking about... Oh well, still love being HOME!