Spousal sponsorship questions, please help, very confused!

[srea21]

Hello! I am American, and have been with my Canadian boyfriend a little over a year. He lived with me for six months here in America but recently had to go back. We've visited each other multiple times on top of him living here and have decided that we want nothing more than to be together, so we have decided to eventually (hopefully in the next six months to a year) get married. I've been looking everywhere online for help but I just find it all confusing and can't seem to find step one. I tried calling CIC but that was no help either. If someone has any info, it's greatly appreciated! Here are my questions:

-Should we get married before applying for sponsorship or should we begin the application after the wedding?
-We are very young, both 18, but our relationship is very serious and we know we are making the right choice. Could Canada reject our application because of our age?
-Is there any way I can live with him in Canada during the application process? If so, what is the name of the visa program that would allow us to live together?
-When would I be able to work/obtain a permanent resident card?
-What are the EXACT things we should apply for?

Basically we just feel so lost with all the information we're reading and could really use a clear, concise answer to these questions as well as any additional help anyone has to offer. I feel like the more I search for things the less clear it becomes. We really just need a real answer from a real person.

Thank you so much!

 

[JamesinCanada]

I know it's pretty confusing! I'll do my best to help, anyone else can correct me if I am wrong. I'm basing this on my own experience.

1. I would say you should get married. Basically, this all adds up to easy "proof of relationship" with a wedding. There is such a thing as common law marriage, but I feel like it makes it harder to prove this than formal marriage. Also, if you send in your app and then add your marriage license later it can be a bit messy in your file and you want to keep it as easy as possible.

2. Your age might be a bit of a red flag, but probably less so if you are legally married. I think the worst that can happen is an interview. I don't think they can deny anyone based on age alone as long as both parties are old enough to consent and marry. What concerns me most with your ages is if you BF will be able to support you with his job. If you do an application the first thing that happens if that he is checked for the ability to support you. If he's not making a wage high enough to support you (food, medical, etc.) you'll have some problems.

3. If you go with outland, you basically have to apply for a visitor extension. Your first visitor stay is 6 months in Canada with your passport when you cross the border. Later you need to get a visitor extension, 30 days before that 6 month period runs out. You can do this online. While this is being looked over you have 'implied status' until a decision is reached. You explain in your request your looking to be a PR and living with your husband, or fiance if not married yet. If fiance, give them your wedding date and all that so they can keep up with you and know that you're being honest and straightfoward about your business in Canada.

4. You won't be able to work if you go the fast way (USA outland application). Keep in mind that as an American living in Canada with him you won't get any health care or any of BF's work health care either. You'll need to buy some kind of insurance for serious emergencies, and pay out of pocket for less serious things. If you go with the outland application you'll not be able to work in Canada at all until you get PR. Currently, the time for PR for USA outland is somewhere between five to ten months. Plan for the ten months!

5. First, figure out your plan. There is another way to do this: apply inland. Most people on this board would not recommend this because it takes about twice as long or more. I almost went with this option and everyone called me nuts, lol. But you figure it out for yourself or ask for advice from someone who is doing an inland application. Some people here do apply inland, and there are threads for them that you can look through and ask advice.

It looks so confusing and I guess in some ways it is. The first big step is gathering "proof of relationship" - phone bills showing you calling each other, EMails you've sent back and forth, photos of you two together, proof you have lived together if that exists, - basically anything that shows you're in a real relationship and not just doing this for some kind of scheme to get into Canada and dump the BF. With the application just take your time. Don't let it overwhelm you. I was overwhelmed at first, but I got through it just fine over the course of a week taking each part seriously and doing it very slowly and carefully. You don't need to be a lawyer - it's actually fairly straightfoward and there is a guide on the CIC website that takes you through step by step.

Good luck to you, I hope this helps!

 

[Snowisland]

Just want to mention that I believe if you apply inland and are denied you cannot appeal. If you apply Outland and are denied you can appeal.

 

[Rob_TO]

-Should we get married before applying for sponsorship or should we begin the application after the wedding?

You MUST be either married or common-law before he qualifies to sponsor you for PR. Since you have not lived together 12 continuous months, you are not common-law. So your only option is to get married. Only after getting married can you complete and submit the application.

We are very young, both 18, but our relationship is very serious and we know we are making the right choice. Could Canada reject our application because of our age?

CIC will be looking to see if your relationship & marriage is genuine. So as long as you have documented your visits and time together, how you communicate when not together in person (call logs, chats, emails, etc), and that the wedding will have your friends and families support... you should be fine.

-Is there any way I can live with him in Canada during the application process? If so, what is the name of the visa program that would allow us to live together?

A US citizen can simply come to Canada as a visitor, and will most likely get 6 months status by CBSA at the border, as long as they're satisfied you are just visiting and not yet moving permanently here. You can't "move" here until you actually have your PR app approved. Once in Canada as a visitor, you can continue to extend your status as needed.

If you want to work, your best shot is if you've completed any post-secondary education you can look into the SWAP program (when it re-opens again) for US citizens to work in Canada. http://www.swap.ca/in_eng/

-When would I be able to work/obtain a permanent resident card?

If you apply OUTLAND, your app will be processed in CPC-Ottawa office, and should take under 1 year. Once app is approved, you can then live & work in Canada.

-What are the EXACT things we should apply for?

Here is the complete guide and application package, that both you and your sponsor would need to complete.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/fc.asp