Sponsoring wife who is US asylum applicant

[starwarsfan]

Hi everyone,

I recently got my PR through CEC and wanted to sponsor my fiancee to come join me in Canada. She is currently in the US on F-1 OPT (temporary work visa after studies), but also applied for asylum last year which is currently in processing.

Do you think this would cause any issues if I get married in the US and then start (outland) family sponsorship application for my wife afterwards?

 

[scylla]

Hi everyone,

I recently got my PR through CEC and wanted to sponsor my fiancee to come join me in Canada. She is currently in the US on F-1 OPT (temporary work visa after studies), but also applied for asylum last year which is currently in processing.

Do you think this would cause any issues if I get married in the US and then start (outland) family sponsorship application for my wife afterwards?

There's no issue from Canada's perspective as long as you have a strong application and strong relationships proof.

On the US side, she should make sure she knows what happens if she abandons the claim and comes to Canada after getting PR and if this will trigger any bans.

 

[starwarsfan]

Thanks a ton @scylla !

 

[kamina123]

Hi everyone,

I recently got my PR through CEC and wanted to sponsor my fiancee to come join me in Canada. She is currently in the US on F-1 OPT (temporary work visa after studies), but also applied for asylum last year which is currently in processing.

Do you think this would cause any issues if I get married in the US and then start (outland) family sponsorship application for my wife afterwards?

I’m in the same situation, and my background check is still in process. I wanted to ask how long it took for your background to be completed.

I’m in the USA on an F‑1 visa and I also have an asylum case pending. Meanwhile, my husband is Canadian, and has started my Family Class PR application . My medical exam and biometrics are completed, and my background check started on February 10, 2026.

For anyone with asylum status, does the background check usually take more than a year? Do they perform a more comprehensive security check?

I have already submitted three Police Clearance Certificates — from India, Nepal, and the FBI — all clean. I’m just wondering if my pending asylum case will lengthen my background processing time.

 

[kamina123]

There's no issue from Canada's perspective as long as you have a strong application and strong relationships proof.

On the US side, she should make sure she knows what happens if she abandons the claim and comes to Canada after getting PR and if this will trigger any bans.

I’m in the same situation, and my background check is still in process. I wanted to ask how long it took for your background to be completed.

I’m in the USA on an F‑1 visa and I also have an asylum case pending. Meanwhile, my husband is Canadian, and has started my Family Class PR application . My medical exam and biometrics are completed, and my background check started on February 10, 2026.

For anyone with asylum status, does the background check usually take more than a year? Do they perform a more comprehensive security check?

I have already submitted three Police Clearance Certificates — from India, Nepal, and the FBI — all clean. I’m just wondering if my pending asylum case will lengthen my background processing time.