USA to Canada - Help gathering forms to sponsor, reside, and work!

[csturner92]

Hello all. My wife (sponsor) and I (applicant) were married recently and we would like to start the paperwork to get me moved to Canada to be with her and work there.

I will not be bringing any of my family, and I have no children.

I want to be able to find a job and work there (open work permit) as well, otherwise there is no point to me moving because I'd never be able to pay my own bills (car payments, etc.)


I've tried searching the CIC website but every time I look for something I end up somewhere else and it's quite confusing.

If anyone could help me with the needed forms, I'd really appreciate it!


Here is what I have so far... Not sure if this is all we need, or if we're missing stuff!

I believe I have the forms because we are doing the outland style applications (as I am living and working in Washington until I can get a work permit)

Sponsorship forms:

- IMM0008ENU_2E
- IMM1344E
- IMM5481E
- IMM5491E
- IMM5540E

Permanent Residency forms:

- IMM008ENU_2D
- IMM5406E
- IMM5490E
- IMM5669E

Open Work Permit forms

- IMM1295E
- IMM5488E
- IMM5645E
- IMM5922E



Thank you all in advance for your assistance in helping to bring my wife and I together... driving to Kamloops from Bellingham, WA every weekend is only fun for so long haha!

 

[Ponga]

You do not qualify for the OWP with an Outland application.

Normally, I would suggest coming to Canada as a visitor, followed by submitting an Inland application and OWP, but...not for a U.S. citizen.


Most Americans are completing the entire process, Outland, in less than 6 months.


Good luck!

 

[scylla]

Agreed with the above - definitely apply outland. You won't qualify for an open work permit but the processing time will be significantly faster.

 

[Ponga]

Here is what I have so far... Not sure if this is all we need, or if we're missing stuff!

I believe I have the forms because we are doing the outland style applications (as I am living and working in Washington until I can get a work permit)

Sponsorship forms:

- IMM0008ENU_2E
- IMM1344E
- IMM5481E
- IMM5491E
- IMM5540E

Permanent Residency forms:

- IMM008ENU_2D
- IMM5406E
- IMM5490E
- IMM5669E

Open Work Permit forms

- IMM1295E
- IMM5488E
- IMM5645E
- IMM5922E



Thank you all in advance for your assistance in helping to bring my wife and I together... driving to Kamloops from Bellingham, WA every weekend is only fun for so long haha!

The total amount will be $1040, of which $490 can be deferred until CIC requests the RPRF, but may add a slight delay to the process.

 

[csturner92]

Thank you all for the responses. I guess that means I live with my wife for at least 6 months after submitting our application.


@Ponga

May I ask why you put a line through some of the form in the quote of my original post?

 

[csturner92]

Also @Ponga

Where are you getting the 6 month time frame from?

Based off of the CIC website it is saying 13 months outland, and 26 months inland if I recall correctly.

 

[Ponga]

Thank you all for the responses. I guess that means I live with my wife for at least 6 months after submitting our application.


@Ponga

May I ask why you put a line through some of the form in the quote of my original post?

You don't need those forms.

Actually, you DO need IMM5491E (Document Checklist for the sponsor).

 

[Ponga]

Also @Ponga

Where are you getting the 6 month time frame from?

Based off of the CIC website it is saying 13 months outland, and 26 months inland if I recall correctly.

Trust me...

This is because most Americans have their Outland application processed entirely in Canada. The Ottawa visa office handles the majority of these applications and people are completing everything in ~6 months (+/-). Only those with `red flags', or other issues end up in the U.S. visa office for processing...which does take much longer.

Have a look at the U.S. Outland thread here and see for yourself.
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/us-outland-applicants-thread-t106068.6990.html

 

[Ponga]

If your wife is a Canadian citizen, you can submit the Outland package ASAP (she does not need to be in Canada to sponsor you). She/you will need to show CIC that you will both relocate to Canada once your PR has been approved.

 

[csturner92]

Thank you for all the clarification!

I guess there is still a good bit of hope left!

Are there any other forms that I should be filling out other than the ones I listed or do I pretty much have it all together?

Thanks again. I really appreciate it.

 

[Ponga]

Ooops...ignore the part asking about your wife being a Canadian citizen. I thought, for some strange reason, that she was with you in Bellingham.

I think you've found them all. Just make sure that you use the latest version of all forms and that all required signatures are in place (to avoid having the entire application package returned).

I strongly suggest using one of the FBI approved Channelers to get your IHSR (Identity History Summary Report) [PCC], since it will be much quicker than ordering from the FBI directly. Also be sure to schedule your immigration medical exam with a doctor that is on CIC's list of approved Panel Physicians. The cost is ~ $400 (or more?), and will consist of basic exam, lab and x-rays.

 

[danawhitaker]

Ooops...ignore the part asking about your wife being a Canadian citizen. I thought, for some strange reason, that she was with you in Bellingham.

I think you've found them all. Just make sure that you use the latest version of all forms and that all required signatures are in place (to avoid having the entire application package returned).

I strongly suggest using one of the FBI approved Channelers to get your IHSR (Identity History Summary Report) [PCC], since it will be much quicker than ordering from the FBI directly. Also be sure to schedule your immigration medical exam with a doctor that is on CIC's list of approved Panel Physicians. The cost is ~ $400 (or more?), and will consist of basic exam, lab and x-rays.

The cost of the medical exam depends on where you have it done. I had mine done when I was up in Canada rather than trying to get to a panel physician in the U.S., because there were none near me. It was $160 plus the X-ray (and parking for it) added another $50. My daughter's was $130.

Edit: Those prices are in Canadian, not U.S. dollars.

 

[csturner92]

@Ponga

Unfortunately I went to the police department today and got printed... then mailed off my application and everything to the FBI so I'm going to be waiting a few months according to their website.

I haven't scheduled a medical exam yet... the closest panel physician is a little over 100 miles away from me so I was going to look in to getting it done in Canada if possible.... which leads me to............................@Danawhitaker!!

What do I need to have this done in Canada as an American Citizen?

 

[danawhitaker]

@Ponga

Unfortunately I went to the police department today and got printed... then mailed off my application and everything to the FBI so I'm going to be waiting a few months according to their website.

I haven't scheduled a medical exam yet... the closest panel physician is a little over 100 miles away from me so I was going to look in to getting it done in Canada if possible.... which leads me to............................@Danawhitaker!!

What do I need to have this done in Canada as an American Citizen?

All my daughter and I needed were our passports, in terms of identification. I did schedule mine about three weeks in advance, but I was also trying to work around specific activities going on during my visit, such as my wedding, honeymoon, and events with my husband's family. I assume each office that does them has slightly different practices. The panel physician I saw, for instance, only took payment for immigration exams in cash. The place where I had the x-ray done (which was at a separate facility) took people on a walk-in basis and accepted credit or debit cards.

 

[Ponga]

What do I need to have this done in Canada as an American Citizen?

You just need money.

Tell the doctor that you need the upfront immigration medical and open up your wallet.

You might consider Dr. Cheryl Anderson in Vancouver (Granville and Broadway area), probably a good 60-90 minutes from Bellingham on a good day. Last time I heard, the total cost for everything was ~$230 CAD, but you have to pay with cash. Everything's under one roof.

The office will then transfer the results electronically to CIC.