Hello.. thanks in advance for the help. I am a Canadian citizen of long standing but have been living as GC holder in US for over 10 years. I live across the border and visit relatives every couple of weeks or so. I would like to hear experiences and whether it is possible to sponsor somebody here on a tourist visa as a spouse if we get married while she is here. She would reside with family in Canada and eventually I do plan on moving back there. I am also in the process of applying for my citizenship here. I wonder if I can sponser her and what forms etc. Any advice/help is appreciated...thank you
OK, the "here" and "there" part makes it a little hard to follow what you're asking - but if I've got it right, here's the info you need.
If you are living in the United States now and (I'm assuming) marrying a US citizen, you have to prove your intent to re-settle in Canada in order to be eligible to sponsor your spouse for permanent residence. If you "eventually" plan to move back to Canada, wait until you're ready to do that before you apply to sponsor her for permanent residence in Canada. Doing so does not require that you marry in Canada. In addition, she is not eligible to "reside with family in Canada" when she doesn't have permanent residence . . . as a visa-exempt national she can only come to Canada for visits not exceeding 6 months duration - and she is not eligible to work, go to school or get healthcare benefits while in Canada as a "tourist" - even if she is married to a Canadian citizen.
When/if you get ready to come back to Canada to re-settle, you can apply to sponsor her while you are still residing in the US. You will use the
outland PR application forms, and you will need to submit proof of your intent to return to Canada (job offer, acceptance at school, lease or purchase of property in Canada, etc.) with your application. The application will be assessed first in Mississauga (for your eligibility to sponsor) and then in Buffalo (for her), and after approval she brings her paperwork to a Canadian port of entry and "lands". At that time she will need to be able to provide them with a Canadian address to mail her PR card to. The entire process - right now - takes from 5-10 months to finalize.
If you want more information on sponsoring a US citizen spouse, you can visit the
US2Canada website.
I took this the other way. He is a Canadian, living in the States. He wants to sponsor his Canadian partner to visit in the States where they will get married. She will live in Canada with family until he is ready to move back. Also, if he applies for US citizenship, can he sponsor her for entry into the US and what forms does he need.
Either, way... I guess you're going to have to clarify.
Definitely - because if he's asking about sponsoring a Canadian partner to the US, he's asking the wrong forum. Could you clarify, texrph?