Where to start???

[Biny_1982]

Hi there,

I am so glad I found this website as my brain is fried and I am at a loss of where to start or which way is the best way.

My partner (Canadian citizen by birth) and I are both residents of Northern Ireland (I am a German national). He just lost his job over here and we are contemplating of moving over to Canada and start afresh.

I've looked at all the different options and it looks like the easiest way for me to get over there, is as his common-law partner instead of going down the route of me applying for an Express Entry Visa etc.

So how does the sponsorship work with us still residing in Northern Ireland? He hasn't got a job offer as of yet from over there but I have no doubt that he will receive one soon. Can we still apply? Even though no job or housing in sight yet? And how can I get a work permit? As I definitely want to work over there.

He has kids over here but they won't come with us, do we still have to add them on the application form?

I presume I will have to have police record checks from the UK and from Germany?

Documentation required? I've tried to open the check list http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5589E.pdf and even though I have adobe reader, it won't open up.

As you can see i have lots of questions and would be grateful if someone could help and answer some of my questions.

Thanks in advance
Biny

 

[Hurlabrick]

So how does the sponsorship work with us still residing in Northern Ireland?

Perfectly fine. You apply as 'Outland' and the sponsor has to 'prove' intent to return to Canada to live if / when the PA is approved. I managed it and I hadn't lived in Canada for 40 years!

He hasn't got a job offer as of yet from over there but I have no doubt that he will receive one soon. Can we still apply?

Yes. No problem.

And how can I get a work permit? As I definitely want to work over there.

You don't need a separate work permit. If / when you are granted PR, the moment you land and declare PR, you can then go along the same or next day to some nice people in a Services Canada office, hand them you passport and your copy CoPR and ask for a Canadian SIN. Once you have that, you can get any job you like in Canada - you are a permanent resident and so entitled to work there.

He has kids over here but they won't come with us, do we still have to add them on the application form?

They are not your kids and if you are 'only' common law, they are not your step-kids, so you certainly don't declare them. Not certain if the sponsor has to or not, I don't think so, but I would have to check the checklist and forms myself - they will make it pretty clear.

I presume I will have to have police record checks from the UK and from Germany?

Yes

Documentation required? I've tried to open the check list http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5589E.pdf and even though I have adobe reader, it won't open up.

I assume ypou are getting the silly 'Please Wait' message? A silly bug. Click anywhere on the 'Please Wait' page and a set of icons will appear at the top. Click on the 'Save' icon top right and save the PDF locally to your PC, you can then easily open it from there.

This wiki article from another forum will also help:

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Spousal_Sponsorship-Canada/FAQ_-_New_Application_Forms

And of course the official CIC guides, a quick guide here:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5525ETOC.asp

And a more detailed guide later in the CIC website here:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5289ETOC.asp#forms

As you can see i have lots of questions and would be grateful if someone could help and answer some of my questions.

Breathe!!

It seems overwhelming at first. Just follow the CIC links and get started and refer to their detailed completion guide. The majority of people complete these themselves. They are a pain, but just work through them slowly and methodically and ask specific questions here.

 

[JulianaAndrew]

Hi Biny.
You would have the option to apply while residing in Northern Ireland, but you would also have the option to apply from Canada, both of you living there. With an inland application, and only with this one, you can apply for a work permit. The thing is, both of you would have to travel to Canada and then start the sponsorship process there, inland. It could take slightly longer than outland, but you get to start living in Canada and you can get a work permit. Yes, you would have to get police checks from those countries, unless you're not asked for them directly. I can't give you the documentation required, you have to open the checklist. However here's a link where you can easily get what you need, with the country specific requirements: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/spouse.asp#country

 

[canuck_in_uk]

So how does the sponsorship work with us still residing in Northern Ireland? He hasn't got a job offer as of yet from over there but I have no doubt that he will receive one soon. Can we still apply? Even though no job or housing in sight yet? And how can I get a work permit? As I definitely want to work over there.

He has kids over here but they won't come with us, do we still have to add them on the application form?

There is no requirement for a sponsor to be employed and no minimum income requirement. IRCC needs to see how you plan to support yourselves in Canada without welfare. You can show any combination of income potential, savings, your current income, family assistance etc.

His kids will be listed in section B of IMM5406 and in question 6b on IMM5481.

Depending on when you guys are planning to move, you could look in to the IEC program. It should open up again in early 2018. If you apply outland from NI, IEC will give you the ability to work in Canada while waiting for the PR app to be processed.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

They are not your kids and if you are 'only' common law, they are not your step-kids, so you certainly don't declare them.

Incorrect. From the guide:

IMM5406 - SECTION B

Write the personal details for your children. It is very important that you list all of your children (even if they are already permanent residents or citizens of Canada). This includes:

• married children,
• adopted children,
• children of your spouse(step-children) or common-law partner,
• any of your children who have been adopted by others,
• any of your children who are in the custody of an ex-spouse, former common-law partner or other guardian.

 

[WeegieInOttawa]

Hi there,

I am so glad I found this website as my brain is fried and I am at a loss of where to start or which way is the best way.

My partner (Canadian citizen by birth) and I are both residents of Northern Ireland (I am a German national). He just lost his job over here and we are contemplating of moving over to Canada and start afresh.

I've looked at all the different options and it looks like the easiest way for me to get over there, is as his common-law partner instead of going down the route of me applying for an Express Entry Visa etc.

So how does the sponsorship work with us still residing in Northern Ireland? He hasn't got a job offer as of yet from over there but I have no doubt that he will receive one soon. Can we still apply? Even though no job or housing in sight yet? And how can I get a work permit? As I definitely want to work over there.

He has kids over here but they won't come with us, do we still have to add them on the application form?

I presume I will have to have police record checks from the UK and from Germany?

Documentation required? I've tried to open the check list http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5589E.pdf and even though I have adobe reader, it won't open up.

As you can see i have lots of questions and would be grateful if someone could help and answer some of my questions.

Thanks in advance
Biny

Top of my advice list... Bookmark this forum now! Best source of help/knowledge/stress relief there is when going through the process!

 

[Biny_1982]

Thanks peeps.... This site is definitely bookmarked lol.

Hmmm about moving over and applying for PR from there.... But wouldnt i only get a 3 months tourist visa?

I will print all the forms etc out tomorrow and start filling them out manually so it gets me time to crosscheck all the t's and dot all the i's.

Wanted to immigrate to Canada sice being a wee dote and still can't really believe that this is hopefully happening really soon.

Thanks again for answering my first lot of questions. No doubt there will be more

 

[WeegieInOttawa]

Thanks peeps.... This site is definitely bookmarked lol.

Hmmm about moving over and applying for PR from there.... But wouldnt i only get a 3 months tourist visa?

I will print all the forms etc out tomorrow and start filling them out manually so it gets me time to crosscheck all the t's and dot all the i's.

Wanted to immigrate to Canada sice being a wee dote and still can't really believe that this is hopefully happening really soon.

Thanks again for answering my first lot of questions. No doubt there will be more

Do exactly that with the forms and the checklist..then youll see where you stand, what you need evidence wise and what you need to put into motion to get.

Worth noting that the forms get updated from time to time so do make sure you always have the latest date one going by the date code in the corner..even though that might mean the latest is a form from 2014.

Good luck!

 

[JulianaAndrew]

Thanks peeps.... This site is definitely bookmarked lol.

Hmmm about moving over and applying for PR from there.... But wouldnt i only get a 3 months tourist visa?

I will print all the forms etc out tomorrow and start filling them out manually so it gets me time to crosscheck all the t's and dot all the i's.

Wanted to immigrate to Canada sice being a wee dote and still can't really believe that this is hopefully happening really soon.

Thanks again for answering my first lot of questions. No doubt there will be more

Check out how much time you would be allowed with the passport you have. Once you are in Canada, you can submit the application, and stay there until the end of the process on implied status I believe. The cons of this is that it would be hard to leave Canada during the process and also should it be refused, you wouldn't have the right to appeal. A lot of people go to Canada on tourist visas and apply inland, and then stay in Canada for all that time and become permanent residents while still being in Canada. Keep in mind that you would most likely be able to work, as you would probably get an open work permit.
Plus, should you ever need to extend your visitor visa, you can easily do so.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Hmmm about moving over and applying for PR from there.... But wouldnt i only get a 3 months tourist visa?

Standard is 6 months of visitor status granted on entry. If CBSA were to grant you less time for any reason, you could just apply for an extension.

If you apply outland and then come to Canada as a visitor, you would need to extend your visitor status if the PR app is going to take longer to be processed. Extending is a simple process.

If you come to Canada as a visitor and then apply inland, you can include an Open Work Permit app. This will maintain your status and you will receive the OWP in about 2-4 months. You are not supposed to leave Canada while an inland app processes.

When are you guys actually thinking of coming to Canada?

 

[Biny_1982]

Standard is 6 months of visitor status granted on entry. If CBSA were to grant you less time for any reason, you could just apply for an extension.

If you apply outland and then come to Canada as a visitor, you would need to extend your visitor status if the PR app is going to take longer to be processed. Extending is a simple process.

If you come to Canada as a visitor and then apply inland, you can include an Open Work Permit app. This will maintain your status and you will receive the OWP in about 2-4 months. You are not supposed to leave Canada while an inland app processes.

When are you guys actually thinking of coming to Canada?

Hi,

well his current company closes approx in QT2 next year.... so probably around April time. Preferably I would like to get the PR before I leave here and apply at the same time for an open work permit so that I can start the job hunt asap. I've tried yet again to download the application pack but it still says the window will update and nothing happens..I've tried it via my laptop, my ipad and via my phone and its all the same. I might give them a ring and see if they have a broken link or something.

Question about the police records and Medicals... How old are they allowed to be? Does the short version of the police record suffice or does it have to be the long one?

Can I get the medical done anywhere or do they have specific doctors that can be used only?

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Hi,

well his current company closes approx in QT2 next year.... so probably around April time. Preferably I would like to get the PR before I leave here and apply at the same time for an open work permit so that I can start the job hunt asap. I've tried yet again to download the application pack but it still says the window will update and nothing happens..I've tried it via my laptop, my ipad and via my phone and its all the same. I might give them a ring and see if they have a broken link or something.

Question about the police records and Medicals... How old are they allowed to be? Does the short version of the police record suffice or does it have to be the long one?

Can I get the medical done anywhere or do they have specific doctors that can be used only?

Apply outland now. There is no work permit option with that.

There is nothing wrong with the application. If I save the file, it downloads and opens up fine.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/security/police-cert/intro.asp

You can't do the medical until you are requested. It has to be a Panel Physician, not just any doctor.

 

[WeegieInOttawa]

Hi,

well his current company closes approx in QT2 next year.... so probably around April time. Preferably I would like to get the PR before I leave here and apply at the same time for an open work permit so that I can start the job hunt asap. I've tried yet again to download the application pack but it still says the window will update and nothing happens..I've tried it via my laptop, my ipad and via my phone and its all the same. I might give them a ring and see if they have a broken link or something.

Question about the police records and Medicals... How old are they allowed to be? Does the short version of the police record suffice or does it have to be the long one?

Can I get the medical done anywhere or do they have specific doctors that can be used only?

Some of the forms had that message for me.. What you need to do is open the form..and when it is displaying that update or your form should appear here message just click the download icon (top right) and download and save it to your desktop. Then go to the file on your desktop and open it from there.

 

[Oldmacwright]

Some of the forms had that message for me.. What you need to do is open the form..and when it is displaying that update or your form should appear here message just click the download icon (top right) and download and save it to your desktop. Then go to the file on your desktop and open it from there.

Seems a common fault, I could never get the forms to load in Chrome so I tried IE and they all loaded fine...Microsoft 1...Google 0.

 

[WeegieInOttawa]

Seems a common fault, I could never get the forms to load in Chrome so I tried IE and they all loaded fine...Microsoft 1...Google 0.

Yep im Chrome too.

On a Mac, so i also had to deal with the "Macs dont generate barcodes problem"!