starting a US outland application - help?

[marlasinger]

hi everyone

this is my first post, but i've been scouring these boards since i got engaged to my american. i've just been looking for any information possible. what we have gathered is that an outland application is best for our situation. so that's my starting point after that i feel like i'm a very lost. we've been together over a year and are getting married this october. we want to start the application process as soon as possible so that we are applying by the end of the year - that's the hope anyway. my fiance will be bringing his two children (9 and 13) with him, if that makes any difference. i suppose my questions are vast and will be many as i get into the thick of doing this, but for right now i'm looking for advice on where to start...is there anything i could be doing now leading up to being actually married?

thanks for your help, this whole thing is daunting.

 

[marsiangal]

Hi, well one thing I can think of is if he is bringing his children here, and you are the sponsor for him and the children. I think you might want to talk to a lawyer and look into that because I think in order for you to bring the children here you will have to adopt them or something like that, just based from a close friend of mine who married a Canadian but she had a child in her country so the guy had to get some sort of paper work whether it was adopting him or getting custody, I am not 100% sure just the first thing that came into mind.

Also you can start gathering proof of your genuine relationship,
Pictures of trips, pictures with family and friends, whatever you think can prove that you guys have a real relationship. email conversations, skype/messenger conversations. Declaration from family and friends, Personally if you think that there are a lot of red flags in your relationship (ie.a very big age gap)

It's better to get started on that early rather than scrambling to get everything right before when you pass the application.
Good luck!

 

[Sweden]

If you have lived 12 months together and can prove it, you qualify as common-law, so you can apply already now. If not, then you will have to wait until you're married.

about the kids: your partner will have to get a paper from the mother stating that she agrees for the kids to move to Canada (unless she is completely out of the picture).

Download the outland application, get familiar with the forms, start getting proofs together. Print the application guidelines, and read it - it sounds obvious, but most people just go through quickly... instead of reading all the details.

THe FBI record ( for him) takes a while to get, so order them about 3 months before you plan to send the application. Get the medicals done at the last minute, because they are only valid for one year ( they can be extended but it's best to have them done as close to the sending date as possible). Start putting money aside! with 3 people to sponsor (hence 3 medicals etc.) and the fees, it will cost quite a bit... better be prepared!

Good luck,
Sweden

 

[blueangel371115]

Download the outland application, get familiar with the forms, start getting proofs together. Print the application guidelines, and read it - it sounds obvious, but most people just go through lquickly... instead of reading all the details.

THe FBI record ( for him) takes a while to get, so order them about 3 months before you plan to send the application. Get the medicals done at the last minute, because they are only valid for one year ( they can be extended but it's best to have them done as close to the sending date as possible). Start putting money aside! with 3 people to sponsor (hence 3 medicals etc.) and the fees, it will cost quite a bit... better be prepared!

Good luck,
Sweden

I plan (operative word) on sending it in November (hopefully). It all depends in how quick a turnaround there is for my certificate and thus name change and passport. Should I go do them now? It seems silly to wait until I change my name then do it.

 

[canadianwoman]

Take a look at the forms and see what kinds of evidence they are asking for, then try to get it. You are asking for help before the marriage, so this is a good chance for you to get the evidence you will need. Don`t do anything not normal in your culture just to fit the forms, but do keep proof of everything you do decide to do: not everyone has an engagement party, for example, but if you do, keep evidence of it. Get photos showing how many guests were at the wedding, and keep the receipts for any wedding expenses. Go on a honeymoon, even if just for a few days.
Your husband will need proof of custody for the kids, and permission from the mother to bring them to Canada. You don`t have to adopt them.

 

[marsiangal]

I plan (operative word) on sending it in November (hopefully). It all depends in how quick a turnaround there is for my certificate and thus name change and passport. Should I go do them now? It seems silly to wait until I change my name then do it.

Canada doesn't really care whether you choose to use your maiden name even if you are married. It just seems to be a personal preference, I on the other hand wanted to start using my husbands's last name right away. So I submitted our application with my maiden names and in the middle if it changed all my documents into my married name(passport, driver's license, SiN, health card etc.) I got our marriage certificate 2- 3 weeks after getting married. Adviced CIC of the change with a cover letter that my passport copy will follow as soon as i get, with photocopy of other docs i had successfully changed. And of course my consulate was delayed processing the passports, (no surprise there. Lol). Anyways, the funny thing was 2 weeks after I submitted a copy of the new passport, I got my DM. I think they had a note there that they are just waiting for the new passport. This delayed my application by a month I think. Based on other people with similar timelines. So if you can get all your docs in good timing you wouldn't have a problem as long as you advice cic. I prefer this then, gettig my pr card in my maiden name and having to change it again to my married name. But like I said it is personal preference. I knew there was gonna be a delay in the process and I wasn't in a hurry cause I have an owp anyways. Now just waiting for landing appointment.

Your choice. Goodluck!

 

[blueangel371115]

Can I do my FBI clearance check in early September? Would that be too early? If I file in november.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Can I do my FBI clearance check in early September? Would that be too early? If I file in november.

The FBI certificate can take anywhere from 2-8 weeks to arrive, so if you apply about 2 months before you plan to send the app, you should be fine.

 

[blueangel371115]

Thanks. September is then.