I'm so grateful to have found this forum ! The Canadian website is good, but the practicalities of actually going through the process is not clear. All your posts are very illuminating.
Regarding police clearances, I've learned that
1) for the US, you may need only the main FBI one as of Oct 2009ish
2) you must have them from all countries of residence after age 18
In my case, that will be the US, Philippines and Canada. Yes, I did this Immigration thing once before just after college with my Canadian husband who likes to globe-trot. I should have made him stay in Canada until I had that passport ! It would have been only another few months or so. Currently we are living in the US, he's accepted a job offer in Canada, and both children are grown with their own Canuck passports (one was born in Ontario).
It's obvious the way to go is the outland app, as I have to hang around to sell the house. Hopefully before the stimulus package ends in April 2010 !
So my question is: Do I need that Police Clearance from Canada or is that just part of their process?
I'll ask this is another post too, but anyone have idea about length of time to get the Police Clearance from the Philippines?
Many thanks !
Hi, You do not need a Canadian Clearance unless they request it, as far as I am aware they run you name in a computer and if they find something simlar they will request fingerprints and clearance, but this only happens in some cases. As for you second question, sorry I have no idea about clearance from the Philippines. Good luck with you application.
eurochris is right - if you have resided in Canada, they'll run an RCMP "name check". IF there's a "hit", they'll request a fingerprint clearance - but if that happens they send you the paperwork that enables you to get the clearance expedited through digital fingerprinting, which takes 72 hours. Otherwise, to get an RCMP fingerprint clearance that you send for yourself - it reportedly takes 3-4 months to receive. You have heard about how to expedite your FBI clearance???
The State thing is wishy-washy . . . they regularly go back and forth about whether they want them, but we always say it's better to get them and send them along with your application submission than to have Buffalo delay processing by asking you for them later. A few people have reported not being required to submit them - but the majority of people seem to end up getting them one way or the other and, in my case, I didn't submit them (or the FBI clearances) for my sons upfront and was asked specifically to send both.
Wish I could tell you about the Philippines clearances - I really don't know.
My question - is your husband a Canadian citizen & you are/were a PR?
If so - have you been living with your husband the entire time?
DerbyGirl Wrote:My question - is your husband a Canadian citizen & you are/were a PR?
If so - have you been living with your husband the entire time?
Yes, I was there as a Permanent Resident, but it's been 22ish years since we left (for the Philippines and then the States). And yes, we've been living together the entire time.
Why do you ask? I wondered if having PR status before would hurt or help me.
Hi
PostCarbon Pioneer Wrote:Yes, I was there as a Permanent Resident, but it's been 22ish years since we left (for the Philippines and then the States). And yes, we've been living together the entire time.
Why do you ask? I wondered if having PR status before would hurt or help me.
Because if you were a PR and have been accompanying your Canadian spouse abroad then your PR status is still valid and he doesn't have to sponsor you.
Section 61 of the Immigration Regulations
(4) For the purposes of subparagraphs 28(2)(
a)(ii) and (iv) of the Act and this section, a permanent resident is accompanying outside Canada a Canadian citizen or another permanent resident — who is their spouse or common-law partner or, in the case of a child, their parent — on each day that the permanent resident is ordinarily residing with the Canadian citizen or the other permanent resident.
PMM
Bingo - exactly that
Congratulations - you're done...LOL
I know it seems too simple, but it's true
You DO still have your record of landing I hope?
If I remember correctly what my guy's looks like - it's a small slip of paper (at least it was in the 60's) - make sure you bring that back with you.
When you apply for a PR card (it will cost you $50) you'll have to submit proof that hubby is a citizen and that you've been living together the whole time.
Shouldn't be too difficult being as that you two have been married so long.
You can't apply for your PR card until you return to Canada though.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information...prcard.asp
Also see here - go down to where it says:
Quote:If you were outside Canada for 1095 days or more in the past five years
If applicable:
proof of your relationship to the Canadian citizen you accompanied abroad and proof of his or her citizenship
PMM Wrote:Hi
Because if you were a PR and have been accompanying your Canadian spouse abroad then your PR status is still valid and he doesn't have to sponsor you.
Section 61 of the Immigration Regulations
(4) For the purposes of subparagraphs 28(2)(a)(ii) and (iv) of the Act and this section, a permanent resident is accompanying outside Canada a Canadian citizen or another permanent resident — who is their spouse or common-law partner or, in the case of a child, their parent — on each day that the permanent resident is ordinarily residing with the Canadian citizen or the other permanent resident.
PMM
No. You're kidding. Can this possibly be TRUE ??????
I had read something about it being non-valid since I hadn't been there for years.
I've already sent off for FBI clearance !!
Hi
PostCarbon Pioneer Wrote:No. You're kidding. Can this possibly be TRUE ??????
I had read something about it being non-valid since I hadn't been there for years.
I've already sent off for FBI clearance !!
Then you are wasting your time and money. Go to Canadian Consulate in the US if you wish and obtain a Travel Document see:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information...travel.asp You don't need it, but if it makes you feel better. As long as you have your old IMM 1000 and proof of spouses citizenship you are good to go.
PMM