Spousal sponsorship

[AranChen]

Hello,

I'm hoping the hive mind out there can help clarify some things for my wife and I. First for some context:

I am a Canadian citizen (by birth) I have been living in the UK since 2008. My wife is British. We have been married since 2014 and have recently just had our first child. We now want to move to Canada. We plan to apply for my son's Canadian citizenship either before we go or once we're there and assume either approach is fine (please let me know if you think this is not the case).

We are considering both the Inland (Spouse or Common Law Partner in Canada Class) or Outland approach. Ideally we want to 'move' to Canada by 1st November 2021 (indeed are already making arrangements for renting a house and I am starting to apply for jobs) I understand that there are significant delays to both application approaches.

Inland approach:
Due to the delays and our desire to move to Canada as soon as possible one option I see us having is to apply for my wife's PR once we arrive in Canada. Firstly, I assume this is possible? Someone please correct me if I'm wrong on this.

Another reason for the Inland approach is that my wife will be able to apply for the Open Work Permit (OWP) upon submitting the PR application. In order to be eligible for the OWP I've read you need to have Temporary Resident Status (TRS) however I've not been able to find conclusive information on exactly how to get TRS - it seems you need to enter on a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) however as she is a British citizen my question here is can my wife simply enter on an eTA as this seems to be a type of TRV or does she need to apply for a separate Visitor Visa?

Subsequently, I've read that although an eTA normally only allows a visitor to stay in Canada for 6 months a border officer at the port of entry ultimately can determine the length of time - has any one been, or does anyone know of anyone who has been granted a longer stay on an eTA?

This brings me to my next area of questioning - dual intent: if going this route I assume that when arriving in Canada at Immigration and Customs we would declare to the Border Officer our intent to apply for my wife's PR. My question is do we say that we are 'moving' to Canada then and there? Is saying this problematic e.g. may it make the officer question whether we would leave either when the eTA is up or if my wife's PR application is denied?
Also, in relation to this, is it necessary to have a return flight booked when entering as would normally be the case if entering as a visitor on an eTA?

Finally, I've just read on this forum that when going the inland route the applicant is restricted from leaving the country until PR is granted - or rather you can leave but your entry is not guaranteed. Has anyone been able to leave and re-enter without disrupting their PR application? Or has anyone else heard of first hand stories to the contrary?

It would be great to hear from anyone who knows the answer to any of my questions above and I'd be especially interested to hear from anyone who has done what we are proposing above.

I will now go on to the outland approach.

Outland approach:
I think the only reason we would consider this route is if, firstly, someone flags any serious problems with my Inland approach above or latterly, we think that the processing time would be faster (although based on the current IRCC processing calculator both inland and outland are 12 months)

However, my questions here are:
1. If we submit my wife's Outland PR application from the UK can we still travel to Canada for 1 November and will she be able to enter on an eTA?
2. If my wife enters on an eTA would we declare that we are waiting for her PR application to be processed?
3. Do people think that the Border Officer may potentially grant my wife a longer visiting period given our circumstances?
4. If the answer is 'No' to question 3 - then I'm assuming it would be completely acceptable for my wife to leave the country and re-enter on a renewed eTA?

 

[DilanCayan]

Hello Everyone!! Are application started processing February 2020 Outland Turkey spounser spouse status..
Medical and biometric are done September 2020 on Tools change both side decision made on March 25 -2021 What is next step ? thank you for answers... and also we got this e-mail..

We are currently processing your application for permanent residency. You now qualify to receive pre-arrival services to help you prepare for your new life in Canada. These services are only available to you before you enter Canada.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) funds settlement service provider organizations to deliver pre-arrival services at no cost to you. We strongly recommend that you use pre-arrival services. They can help you to:
• Prepare for your move to Canada and learn about living and working in Canada; • Get your education, work experience, and professional licenses and certificates
recognized in Canada;
• Connect with employers; and
• Connect with organizations that offer free settlement services, including
language training, after you arrive in Canada.
Explore the list of pre-arrival services available to you offered by the federal government or the provincial or territorial government of your destination: Canada.ca/pre-arrival-services
You will need to provide a copy of this letter when you register with the service providers listed on the IRCC website.
Join us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/CitCanada) and follow us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/CitImmCanada) for regular updates on immigration, settlement services and citizenship.
Sincerely,
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
IMM 5801E (01-2021)

 

[esam99]

1. We received your application for permanent residence on January 31, 2019.
2. We started processing your application on April 3, 2019.
3. Medical results have been received.
4. We sent you correspondence on July 19, 2019. If you have not yet provided the information or the requested documents, please do so as soon as possible. Please wait until you receive the correspondence before sending us additional information, as the correspondence will outline all information that is required.
5. We sent you medical instructions on December 2, 2020. To avoid delays, please provide us the information requested in the letter as soon as possible. Please consider delays in mail delivery before contacting us.

hi

my wife in canada
i m in turkey
i sent biometric ,finger print , medical results 23 december 2020
what do you guys thing about my process

its been more than 2 yrs since you applied, u shuld call and ask why its taking this long

 

[armoured]

Hello,

I'm hoping the hive mind out there can help clarify some things for my wife and I. First for some context:

I am a Canadian citizen (by birth) I have been living in the UK since 2008. My wife is British. We have been married since 2014 and have recently just had our first child. We now want to move to Canada. We plan to apply for my son's Canadian citizenship either before we go or once we're there and assume either approach is fine (please let me know if you think this is not the case).

We are considering both the Inland (Spouse or Common Law Partner in Canada Class) or Outland approach. Ideally we want to 'move' to Canada by 1st November 2021 (indeed are already making arrangements for renting a house and I am starting to apply for jobs) I understand that there are significant delays to both application approaches.

Inland approach:
Due to the delays and our desire to move to Canada as soon as possible one option I see us having is to apply for my wife's PR once we arrive in Canada. Firstly, I assume this is possible? Someone please correct me if I'm wrong on this.

Another reason for the Inland approach is that my wife will be able to apply for the Open Work Permit (OWP) upon submitting the PR application. In order to be eligible for the OWP I've read you need to have Temporary Resident Status (TRS) however I've not been able to find conclusive information on exactly how to get TRS - it seems you need to enter on a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) however as she is a British citizen my question here is can my wife simply enter on an eTA as this seems to be a type of TRV or does she need to apply for a separate Visitor Visa?

Subsequently, I've read that although an eTA normally only allows a visitor to stay in Canada for 6 months a border officer at the port of entry ultimately can determine the length of time - has any one been, or does anyone know of anyone who has been granted a longer stay on an eTA?

This brings me to my next area of questioning - dual intent: if going this route I assume that when arriving in Canada at Immigration and Customs we would declare to the Border Officer our intent to apply for my wife's PR. My question is do we say that we are 'moving' to Canada then and there? Is saying this problematic e.g. may it make the officer question whether we would leave either when the eTA is up or if my wife's PR application is denied?
Also, in relation to this, is it necessary to have a return flight booked when entering as would normally be the case if entering as a visitor on an eTA?

Finally, I've just read on this forum that when going the inland route the applicant is restricted from leaving the country until PR is granted - or rather you can leave but your entry is not guaranteed. Has anyone been able to leave and re-enter without disrupting their PR application? Or has anyone else heard of first hand stories to the contrary?

It would be great to hear from anyone who knows the answer to any of my questions above and I'd be especially interested to hear from anyone who has done what we are proposing above.

I will now go on to the outland approach.

Outland approach:
I think the only reason we would consider this route is if, firstly, someone flags any serious problems with my Inland approach above or latterly, we think that the processing time would be faster (although based on the current IRCC processing calculator both inland and outland are 12 months)

However, my questions here are:
1. If we submit my wife's Outland PR application from the UK can we still travel to Canada for 1 November and will she be able to enter on an eTA?
2. If my wife enters on an eTA would we declare that we are waiting for her PR application to be processed?
3. Do people think that the Border Officer may potentially grant my wife a longer visiting period given our circumstances?
4. If the answer is 'No' to question 3 - then I'm assuming it would be completely acceptable for my wife to leave the country and re-enter on a renewed eTA?

You have a lot of questions here. I'll try to focus on the most important:
1) You should apply for citizenship for your child right away, along with passport. You may have difficulties travelling with the child if you don't. (I believe the practice is that they will issue a temporary passport fairly quickly, the 'citizenship' may come later, but that's administrative -it's basically recognition that the citizenship is likely even if not formally granted. Caveat, not an expert on this, but as you'll see below, you do need to apply for it asap)
2) Entering on a visa waiver/ETA gives temporary resident status - it just means you've entered as a 'visitor.' (I'm being simple with the terminology).
3) Very unlikely the border agent would give a longer entry right, but it can be extended fairly easily during the process. This answers your question 4 above - she should be able to extend her visitor status without leaving the country.
4) Although 'dual intent' exists, the border officer can refuse entry if they think you won't respect terms of entry. In practical terms, it's not a good idea to eg show up with all worldly belongings as demonstrating no intent to ever leave. (This is a difficult topic).
5) Otherwise the idea to apply inland as you described is mostly okay.
6) If the plan is to move to Canada in november, it may make more sense to apply now as outland. She should still be able to enter on ETA. It's possible it could be done by then - but no guarantee. Important point: you WILL need to show docs that you have applied for child's citizenship/passport, so do that now. (You don't need the response or answer from govt, just a copy that you have applied)

The main decision point for you is whether to apply outland (now-ish) or inland. My guess - and only a guess - is that you would not gain time by waiting and applying inland. You've been married more than five years, have a child, etc - your relationship is unlikely to be questioned and the UK / UK citizens are usually not issues on the security/criminality side.

One note: if you apply outland you will need to show 'intent to return to Canada' - read up on this. Basiclly some evidence that you've made plans to move (where, looked for a place, etc) and have some notion of how you and your spouse will support yourselves (savings, job plans, etc). There are no fixed requirements for this like income or how you demonstrate but you need to show something.

 

[armoured]

The main decision point for you is whether to apply outland (now-ish) or inland. My guess - and only a guess - is that you would not gain time by waiting and applying inland.

To clarify this: if you wait and apply inland after arriving in Canada, you'd need to wait several months for the work permit for spouse. If you apply now as outland, if it's not finalized by the time you move to Canada, she wouldn't be able to work until PR status is finalized - basically the same situation as with inland. But my guess is that PR status if applying soon would not take longer than waiting, applying and getting the work permit under inland. Again, only a guess.

Best though is to start downloading the forms and instructions and working through what you'll need in terms of documentation.

 

[esam99]

anyone having an issue with the logging onto GC keys ??

 

[pinx09]

If I (sponsor) become the representative for my spouse, can we still link the application online? or do we have to rely on email communications? Please advise what's the best thing to do?

Yes...I am also the sponsor and rep. I did it as well but make sure to use his info.

 

[nwapapa]

Is it at the sponsor's side or applicants?

Are you inland or outland? did you applied under the spousal sponsorship?

 

[AranChen]

You have a lot of questions here. I'll try to focus on the most important:
1) You should apply for citizenship for your child right away, along with passport. You may have difficulties travelling with the child if you don't. (I believe the practice is that they will issue a temporary passport fairly quickly, the 'citizenship' may come later, but that's administrative -it's basically recognition that the citizenship is likely even if not formally granted. Caveat, not an expert on this, but as you'll see below, you do need to apply for it asap)
2) Entering on a visa waiver/ETA gives temporary resident status - it just means you've entered as a 'visitor.' (I'm being simple with the terminology).
3) Very unlikely the border agent would give a longer entry right, but it can be extended fairly easily during the process. This answers your question 4 above - she should be able to extend her visitor status without leaving the country.
4) Although 'dual intent' exists, the border officer can refuse entry if they think you won't respect terms of entry. In practical terms, it's not a good idea to eg show up with all worldly belongings as demonstrating no intent to ever leave. (This is a difficult topic).
5) Otherwise the idea to apply inland as you described is mostly okay.
6) If the plan is to move to Canada in november, it may make more sense to apply now as outland. She should still be able to enter on ETA. It's possible it could be done by then - but no guarantee. Important point: you WILL need to show docs that you have applied for child's citizenship/passport, so do that now. (You don't need the response or answer from govt, just a copy that you have applied)

The main decision point for you is whether to apply outland (now-ish) or inland. My guess - and only a guess - is that you would not gain time by waiting and applying inland. You've been married more than five years, have a child, etc - your relationship is unlikely to be questioned and the UK / UK citizens are usually not issues on the security/criminality side.

One note: if you apply outland you will need to show 'intent to return to Canada' - read up on this. Basiclly some evidence that you've made plans to move (where, looked for a place, etc) and have some notion of how you and your spouse will support yourselves (savings, job plans, etc). There are no fixed requirements for this like income or how you demonstrate but you need to show something.

@armoured Thank you for addressing all my questions - your answers are very helpful. Of course I have follow ups. Numbered as per your responses...
4) With this in mind - would you advise against shipping our belongings for our arrival in November (it's not a whole house just personal belongings)? Also, we have a dog that we intend to bring with us - will showing up with a dog raise alarm bells?
6) With regards to my son: I have heard that citizenship certificate applications are extremely delayed (I have a friend who applied for his daughter from here in the UK early last year and have still not received it) With this in mind I have contacted the embassy in London and as you say they have advised that we can apply for a LVP once we've applied for his citizenship on the basis that we need it for my wife's PR application. But if I'm understanding you correctly it's actually just the proof of applications for both that we'll need?
On the final paragraph - according to the IRCC processing calculator a Work Permit takes 50 days so my thinking is that if we arrive November at worse my wife should have a work permit by end of Jan at the latest. Compared to the calculator saying it will take 12 months for an Outland application. Do you have any information/sources on the accuracy of these times? Or indeed any current information on actual processing times for other applicants?

 

[armoured]

@armoured Thank you for addressing all my questions - your answers are very helpful. Of course I have follow ups. Numbered as per your responses...
4) With this in mind - would you advise against shipping our belongings for our arrival in November (it's not a whole house just personal belongings)? Also, we have a dog that we intend to bring with us - will showing up with a dog raise alarm bells?

I don't know, as I said, it's a tricky issue. First - I don't think the spouse can receive belongings duty-free until she has pr status, you'll need to confirm. Obviously you can ship your stuff, and if the dog is yours, then what can they say?

As noted, this dual intent stuff can be a bit tricky - as no, she should not be moving such that she will never leave, but they may be somewhat lenient in situations with kids, etc.

6) With regards to my son: I have heard that citizenship certificate applications are extremely delayed (I have a friend who applied for his daughter from here in the UK early last year and have still not received it) With this in mind I have contacted the embassy in London and as you say they have advised that we can apply for a LVP once we've applied for his citizenship on the basis that we need it for my wife's PR application. But if I'm understanding you correctly it's actually just the proof of applications for both that we'll need?

I don't know what you mean by both - you'll have to check passport procedures. (I thought it was possible to apply for both citizenship and passport at same time - what's LVP?). The point being as a citizen he should enter and travel to Canada on Canadian passport.

For the PR application package, yes, a copy of the application for citizenship you submitted will be needed.

On the final paragraph - according to the IRCC processing calculator a Work Permit takes 50 days so my thinking is that if we arrive November at worse my wife should have a work permit by end of Jan at the latest. Compared to the calculator saying it will take 12 months for an Outland application. Do you have any information/sources on the accuracy of these times? Or indeed any current information on actual processing times for other applicants?

Ignore the calculators. I believe inland spousal applicants here were taking ~4 months for the work permits before covid, recent experience more like seven months? Best to check the relevant threads here (If there is a 50 days it's probably some different process to get work permit with completely different eligibility)

Outland: the figure before covid was ~80% of apps were done in 12 months or less - some as little as six months. They seem to be catching up from the covid delays (but there is still a backlog). For more straightforward cases where no relatiosnhip doubts likely and countries where security/criminality easily done, many done quicker than the 12 months.

So up to you, but I find it hard to see that inland would be quicker. But who knows these days?

 

[Diplomat07]

I got dm from one month still got nothing after that

Yea, I have noticed several other people who have received DM and have been waiting for PPR since one month or more. I will suggest raising a webform or reach out to your local MP for a query. Do you know which Visa office your file went to?

 

[Diplomat07]

Hello Everyone!! Are application started processing February 2020 Outland Turkey spounser spouse status..
Medical and biometric are done September 2020 on Tools change both side decision made on March 25 -2021 What is next step ? thank you for answers... and also we got this e-mail..

We are currently processing your application for permanent residency. You now qualify to receive pre-arrival services to help you prepare for your new life in Canada. These services are only available to you before you enter Canada.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) funds settlement service provider organizations to deliver pre-arrival services at no cost to you. We strongly recommend that you use pre-arrival services. They can help you to:
• Prepare for your move to Canada and learn about living and working in Canada; • Get your education, work experience, and professional licenses and certificates
recognized in Canada;
• Connect with employers; and
• Connect with organizations that offer free settlement services, including
language training, after you arrive in Canada.
Explore the list of pre-arrival services available to you offered by the federal government or the provincial or territorial government of your destination: Canada.ca/pre-arrival-services
You will need to provide a copy of this letter when you register with the service providers listed on the IRCC website.
Join us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/CitCanada) and follow us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/CitImmCanada) for regular updates on immigration, settlement services and citizenship.
Sincerely,
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
IMM 5801E (01-2021)

After Decision Made, next step will be passport request. Just keep an eye on your email for that.

 

[LeaAmbrose]

Hello Everyone!! Are application started processing February 2020 Outland Turkey spounser spouse status..
Medical and biometric are done September 2020 on Tools change both side decision made on March 25 -2021 What is next step ? thank you for answers... and also we got this e-mail..

We are currently processing your application for permanent residency. You now qualify to receive pre-arrival services to help you prepare for your new life in Canada. These services are only available to you before you enter Canada.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) funds settlement service provider organizations to deliver pre-arrival services at no cost to you. We strongly recommend that you use pre-arrival services. They can help you to:
• Prepare for your move to Canada and learn about living and working in Canada; • Get your education, work experience, and professional licenses and certificates
recognized in Canada;
• Connect with employers; and
• Connect with organizations that offer free settlement services, including
language training, after you arrive in Canada.
Explore the list of pre-arrival services available to you offered by the federal government or the provincial or territorial government of your destination: Canada.ca/pre-arrival-services
You will need to provide a copy of this letter when you register with the service providers listed on the IRCC website.
Join us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/CitCanada) and follow us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/CitImmCanada) for regular updates on immigration, settlement services and citizenship.
Sincerely,
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
IMM 5801E (01-2021)

So is this the prearrival letter?

 

[armoured]

So is this the prearrival letter?

Yes

 

[LeaAmbrose]

Yes

Awesome. Encouraging to see what to look forward to.