Young wife, beginning application forms for spousal sponsorship.

[thesingingwife]

Hello all!

This is my first time visiting these forums, and I love that everyone seems so helpful and knowledgable.

I am 21, from Michigan in the US. I married my amazing husband 6 months ago, and up until recently didn't have the funds to start this process. I moved from Michigan to near Vancouver, and 3 months ago we moved to Edmonton, AB.

Now we're beginning everything, and I feel so overwhelmed.
I feel like there are so many questions I have about how to answer certain questions on different forms, with no obvious answers online or in the instructions. The assistant to a MoP offered to help us in any way she could, but later retracted that (I honestly feel like she just didn't want to have to be bothered with us? I don't know.)

I also am not sure in regards to certain necessities such as police certificates? Are the requirements of that something we can obtain from within Edmonton?
As well as the photo requirements, and where I can obtain the 2 photos they require with specific measurements that are mandatory.

I just feel like I have so many questions all over the board that cannot seem to be easily answered, and I don't want the risk of doing something wrong and the application being returned/rejected/etc.

My head is just reeling.

Sorry for the long rant-like post!!! ???

 

[Ponga]

Hello all!

This is my first time visiting these forums, and I love that everyone seems so helpful and knowledgable.

I am 21, from Michigan in the US. I married my amazing husband 6 months ago, and up until recently didn't have the funds to start this process. I moved from Michigan to near Vancouver, and 3 months ago we moved to Edmonton, AB.

Now we're beginning everything, and I feel so overwhelmed.
I feel like there are so many questions I have about how to answer certain questions on different forms, with no obvious answers online or in the instructions. The assistant to a MoP offered to help us in any way she could, but later retracted that (I honestly feel like she just didn't want to have to be bothered with us? I don't know.)

I also am not sure in regards to certain necessities such as police certificates? Are the requirements of that something we can obtain from within Edmonton?
As well as the photo requirements, and where I can obtain the 2 photos they require with specific measurements that are mandatory.

I just feel like I have so many questions all over the board that cannot seem to be easily answered, and I don't want the risk of doing something wrong and the application being returned/rejected/etc.

My head is just reeling.

Sorry for the long rant-like post!!! ???

Welcome!

Ok...start by reading the very first thread in this forum, which will give you a good idea of how things work.

Since you are an American, it is strongly advised that you at least consider an OUTLAND application, since it is SUBSTANTIALLY faster than an Inland application. You can even remain in Canada during the processing, but need to maintain your visitor status (which is typically approved for those from visa-exempt countries, especially if the reason listed is to await your PR application decision). However, there are no guarantees!

Keep in mind that unless you find an employer that is willing to go through the LMO (Labour Market Opinion) process, or you qualify for a job through NAFTA, you will not be allowed to work for ~ 1 year, which is how long the Outland process for an American seems to take...+/-. You can work remotely for a U.S. employer (or any employer outside of Canada) via the internet, or by phone and would not need a work permit.

You will need to have your fingerprints taken (anywhere) and then send them to the FBI (in West Virginia) to receive your police check. You will need a police check (PCC) from any other country where you spent 6 months or more since age 18.

Take it slow and read as much as you can in this forum. Pretty much any question that you can imagine has been discussed, and/or debated...ad nauseam.

Good luck!

 

[Alurra71]

...just to add to Ponga's very well thought out and constructed reply ...


you can obtain the photos needed at your local Shopper's Drug (if they have them where you are living?). They know the drill for the photos, but bring along the sheet that has the specs as well and they will get you the proper photos.

 

[thesingingwife]

Thank you for the thoughtful replies, I appreciate them very much.

We are doing the route of inland application (we were actually told it would be faster than outland by MoP, interesting), but with that additionally, we are not concerned about that matter because it's not priority to us for me to work, we don't have much concern for it. My husband has a very well off job, and however long it takes for me to be able to work is something we both discussed and decided we aren't worried about.

Also, thank you for the tip about Shopper's- very good to know!!

As a side note, in sending the finger prints away, do you know roughly how long it will take to recieve the check?

 

[Alurra71]

Thank you for the thoughtful replies, I appreciate them very much.

We are doing the route of inland application (we were actually told it would be faster than outland by MoP, interesting), but with that additionally, we are not concerned about that matter because it's not priority to us for me to work, we don't have much concern for it. My husband has a very well off job, and however long it takes for me to be able to work is something we both discussed and decided we aren't worried about.

Also, thank you for the tip about Shopper's- very good to know!!

As a side note, in sending the finger prints away, do you know roughly how long it will take to recieve the check?

I am not sure of the actual timeline on the FBI site, but I think last check it was ~6 weeks. Add another week or so onto that timeline to have the results mailed to you in Canada. Just fill in the credit card payment paperwork that you can download from the CJIS division of the FBI website and once you see that credit card has been charged, you can expect your letter in the mail within 5-7 days (in the US) and like I said add another week to have it mailed to Canada because Canada Post can be very SLOW! LOL

 

[Ponga]

You're very welcome, but...I must say that your MoP is mistaken. An Outland application for an American that has no `red flags' is usually COMPLETED within 12 months, as it is processed entirely in Canada. Only if there is an issue with the applicant, would the application be sent to LA or NY, which would delay the process.

An Inland application currently takes 11 months just to reach stage 1 (of 2 required) approval and does in fact take longer.

The FBI website showed the processing time to be ~ 25 calendar days, the last time I looked.

 

[thesingingwife]

You're very welcome, but...I must say that your MoP is mistaken. An Outland application for an American that has no `red flags' is usually COMPLETED within 12 months, as it is processed entirely in Canada. Only if there is an issue with the applicant, would the application be sent to LA or NY, which would delay the process.

An Inland application currently takes 11 months just to reach stage 1 (of 2 required) approval and does in fact take longer.

The FBI website showed the processing time to be ~ 25 calendar days, the last time I looked.

Interesting!
Well, we've done quite a few of the inland application forms, and that's given me grief as it is. As long as the result is positive, we aren't too worried about the time to process taking awhile longer.

And oh good, those time periods are much shorter than the estimate the CIC website gives.

 

[Ponga]

Sounds like you're determined to file an Inland application.

Keep in mind that if you leave Canada before you complete the process and are denied re-entry (for whatever reason), your Inland application is dead.

Honestly...being `trapped' in Canada, along with the FACT that this will be a very long process, is usually enough to convince an American to apply Outland instead.

 

[thesingingwife]

Sounds like you're determined to file an Inland application.

Keep in mind that if you leave Canada before you complete the process and are denied re-entry (for whatever reason), your Inland application is dead.

Honestly...being `trapped' in Canada, along with the FACT that this will be a very long process, is usually enough to convince an American to apply Outland instead.

Is outland not entirely different set of forms?
I've already completed most of the forms for our application.
Re-doing a different list of paperwork sounds like more stress for me, and this is already crazy as it is.

And we're not particularly concerned about being "trapped" in Canada. I keep contact with those who are important to me, and we have a very active life and are involved in a lot of community things and things with our friends that require commitment as it is.
You make it sound like it's hell to be unable to travel internationally for awhile, hahaha.

 

[Rob_TO]

Is outland not entirely different set of forms?
I've already completed most of the forms for our application.
Re-doing a different list of paperwork sounds like more stress for me, and this is already crazy as it is.

And we're not particularly concerned about being "trapped" in Canada. I keep contact with those who are important to me, and we have a very active life and are involved in a lot of community things and things with our friends that require commitment as it is.
You make it sound like it's hell to be unable to travel internationally for awhile, hahaha.

Most of the outland and inland forms are similar if not the same. The entire Outland application link is here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/fc.asp

If you decide to continue with inland application, be prepared to stay inside Canada for up to around 18 months straight. Even a weekend trip to the US, for any reason, could jeopardize your inland application.
With an outland application the whole thing would be done quicker and you could travel to the US or elsewhere anytime during the process.

 

[thesingingwife]

Yes, we've been pretty informed of the specifics of what is and isn't acceptable in doing an inland application.

The concern with choosing that direction would be if an interview is required (which one will likely be), we would then have to go to one of the major city locations in the states for it, and we won't have the excess of money required to do that. My husband has to get another passport as it is, unfortunately.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Yes, we've been pretty informed of the specifics of what is and isn't acceptable in doing an inland application.

The concern with choosing that direction would be if an interview is required (which one will likely be), we would then have to go to one of the major city locations in the states for it, and we won't have the excess of money required to do that. My husband has to get another passport as it is, unfortunately.

Why do you say an interview will be likely?

Unless you have some massive red flags in your relationship that you haven't mentioned, there is pretty much no chance of an interview .

 

[Ponga]

The concern with choosing that direction would be if an interview is required (which one will likely be), we would then have to go to one of the major city locations in the states for it, and we won't have the excess of money required to do that. My husband has to get another passport as it is, unfortunately.

Why do you believe that an interview is likely? Interviews are scheduled for those that CIC has doubts, regarding about them or their relationship. If you have a genuine relationship, you should be fine...meaning no interview.

 

[mikeymyke]

Thesingingwife, please you need to just get a hold of yourself. Do you not realize you're from the US and Americans get PR very easily? Just follow the instructions, don't need to do anything too fancy, don't have to send a billion pictures, just keep it simple. The only way I see you can't get PR is if you get really drunk for some reason, and type in all your forms "I DONT LOVE MY HUSBAND"

 

[Ponga]

Besides...the sooner you get through the process, the sooner you can get things like:

Health Care
Driver Licence
Work permit (when you realize that you're bored outta your mind!)