Hi there, I am applying to sponsor my wife to come to Canada under the family class, as a PR, and Have a few questions. They maybe newb questions, but I am a newb, so please be patient with me. :)
Anyway, some background. My wife and I currently live in Japan, and have been married for 2.5 Years. I am Canadian and she is Japanese. I have been living in Japan for about 3 years. We are wanting to return and am in the process of filing the paperwork, paying the fees and such. I will be leaving at the end of Sept, in about 2 months and have a job waiting for me, and I have a letter from my employer, which I will be submitting to CIC, along with the rest of my paperwork. My wife will stay behind in Japan for a few months, while the process happening and hopefully be with me in Canada in as short as 6 months.
As if she comes to Canada with me, she'll be pretty bored, not being able to work or go to school while the immigration Process is ongoing.
Here are the questions:
1. We will be applying from Japan soon. As I hear that the "outland" application is quicker? Is that true? If so how long approx.?
2. In the IMM 1344 A (Application to sponsor and undertaking) Section A, Q5 and Q6. For Question 5 I have put in as a mailing address of my Canadian address (My Family's place) which I will be returning to and staying for a bit till I get a place of my own, and for Question 6 I have put my CURRENT address in Japan.
As I know it may take a while for them to get the process going and I will be returning to Canada, in 8 weeks, is this a good idea? As in will they mail any further paperwork to my Canadian address, instead of my current address in Japan? , as my wife plans to move in with her family after I leave Japan, so my current address won't be so valid. As so I won't lose any contact with CIC?
3. Again IMM 1344 A. Section A, Q10.
I am a Canadian Citizen, but I am also a Naturalized Canadian, as I was not born in Canada, and became a citizen after my family moved there.
For Q10. I am guessing I check off YES to Canadian Citizen, but what about Permanent resident? As far as I know I am NOT a permanent resident? Do I just leave that blank?
For Q11, I am a Naturalized citizen, so do I just put in "CANADA" in the first box, and my Family and Given names? And what about the last box "Record of Landing/confirmation of PR number" - I haven't a clue on this one, do I just leave blank?
4. On the Document checklist:
#17, Option C Printout. I have an option C printout from the 2006 tax year, as that is the last time I worked in Canada. And that was only up till the end of June as I moved to Japan in July 2006. Is the Option C printout from 2006 good enough? Since I don't have one from 2007 or 2008?
5. While we are waiting for the process of "outland" to go through, can she come to Canada as a visitor? Or can she even come to Canada, while the process is ongoing? She is from Japan, so I am guessing yes? But I'm not sure. And can she already BE in Canada when the process in complete or does she have to "re-enter" Canada?
Thank you for reading (it is a bit long) and helping, I am sure I will have more questions later, but I just need clarification on the above first.
Thank you so Much!
Cam
Cam Wrote:Here are the questions:
1. We will be applying from Japan soon. As I hear that the "outland" application is quicker? Is that true? If so how long approx.?
OK, especially because she plans to remain in Japan during processing, you will file an outland application. Yes, it is faster processing outland - the embassy in Tokyo is currently finalizing in 5-7 months . . . with another 6 weeks or so first at the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga where they will assess your part of the application before sending it overseas. But even if she was coming to Canada with you as a visitor, it's not required that you file an inland application. There are lots of drawbacks to the inland process (including no right of appeal and slower processing times), and her ability to stay in Canada with you is dependent on the status she's given on entry - and keeping that valid - rather on having a PR application (inland or outland) in process.
Cam Wrote:2. In the IMM 1344 A (Application to sponsor and undertaking) Section A, Q5 and Q6. For Question 5 I have put in as a mailing address of my Canadian address (My Family's place) which I will be returning to and staying for a bit till I get a place of my own, and for Question 6 I have put my CURRENT address in Japan. As I know it may take a while for them to get the process going and I will be returning to Canada, in 8 weeks, is this a good idea? As in will they mail any further paperwork to my Canadian address, instead of my current address in Japan? , as my wife plans to move in with her family after I leave Japan, so my current address won't be so valid. As so I won't lose any contact with CIC?
Yes, that's a good plan for the mailing address, but because you are using the Japan address as your residential address, you'll need to be sure that you include proof of your intent to re-settle in Canada. They won't assume you're leaving Japan in 8 weeks - and it's required that you re-settle in Canada for your wife to get PR status - so you need to include all of the paperwork from your new employer, etc., that you mentioned earlier.
Cam Wrote:3. Again IMM 1344 A. Section A, Q10.
I am a Canadian Citizen, but I am also a Naturalized Canadian, as I was not born in Canada, and became a citizen after my family moved there.
For Q10. I am guessing I check off YES to Canadian Citizen, but what about Permanent resident? As far as I know I am NOT a permanent resident? Do I just leave that blank?
No, you are not a permanent resident. You can write "N/A" in that area.
Cam Wrote:For Q11, I am a Naturalized citizen, so do I just put in "CANADA" in the first box, and my Family and Given names? And what about the last box "Record of Landing/confirmation of PR number" - I haven't a clue on this one, do I just leave blank?
Yes, again, leave blank. Permanent residents are eligible to sponsor family members, so that's why that question is there. It's not applicable to you.
Cam Wrote:4. On the Document checklist:
#17, Option C Printout. I have an option C printout from the 2006 tax year, as that is the last time I worked in Canada. And that was only up till the end of June as I moved to Japan in July 2006. Is the Option C printout from 2006 good enough? Since I don't have one from 2007 or 2008?
Yes, include your Option C from 2006, and explain that you don't have one more recent because you've been working in Japan. There are no minimum income requirements for spousal sponsorships, so they're not using that to verify income. It's about making sure you're not taking social assistance, which you couldn't do from Japan anyway.
Cam Wrote:5. While we are waiting for the process of "outland" to go through, can she come to Canada as a visitor? Or can she even come to Canada, while the process is ongoing? She is from Japan, so I am guessing yes? But I'm not sure. And can she already BE in Canada when the process in complete or does she have to "re-enter" Canada?
Whether or not she is admitted to Canada as a temporary resident while the application is in process is all dependent on the discretion of the officer assessing her at the Canadian port of entry. She could fly all the way from Japan and then be refused entry simply because she cannot prove (with a PR ap in process) that her "intent" is to stay temporarily. She'd have a better chance of getting into Canada to visit if you accompanied her into Canada - you vouch for her, promising to make sure that she does not overstay her authorized period of visit, and indicate your understanding that she will need to apply to extend her status if she wants to stay longer than what she is authorized on entry. If she came to Canada during the process, she would not need to go back to Japan before she could land - she could land by traveling into the States and then turning around and coming back into Canada. The biggest concern would be an interview during the process - if one is required, she has to attend at the embassy in Tokyo.
WOW, Thank You for all the info.
It's nice to have a forum like this to help. I tried to call the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo, and they were useless, the "department in charge of Immigration" takes like 3 weeks to reply to your emails and inquiries, which is a lifetime!
Everything is so frustrating and daunting!
You would think they would make it a little easier.
Thank you again for all the advice. Like I say, I will probably have more Questions, but that's it for right now, we can get the ball rolling.
THANK YOU!
Thank you again for the info.
I have another question though.
On the Immigration Guide, Part 1 The Sponsor's Guide.
Under the list of items of people of "WHO CAN SPONSOR?" (Who can apply to Sponsor)
It says : You may not be eligible to be a sponsor if you:
"received government financial assistance for reasons other than a disability"
I have received Unemployment Insurance in the past, does this qualify as
"receiving government financial assistance for reasons other than a disability"???
Online reference here:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/s...ly-who.asp
Under the second (
BOLDED) section of
Sponsoring a spouse, partner or dependent child
Thank you.
Nope - you're fine if you collected / are collecting EI
That's not welfare
Cam Wrote:Thank you again for the info.
I have another question though.
On the Immigration Guide, Part 1 The Sponsor's Guide.
Under the list of items of people of "WHO CAN SPONSOR?" (Who can apply to Sponsor)
It says : You may not be eligible to be a sponsor if you:
"received government financial assistance for reasons other than a disability"
I have received Unemployment Insurance in the past, does this qualify as "receiving government financial assistance for reasons other than a disability"???
Online reference here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/s...ly-who.asp
Under the second (BOLDED) section of Sponsoring a spouse, partner or dependent child
Thank you.
Great, That's a relief!
Thanks
DerbyGirl Wrote:Nope - you're fine if you collected / are collecting EI
That's not welfare
Just make sure you are very clear that it is EI or Disability. Someone got wrongly denied whose sponsor was on disability because the Federal folks apparently didn't know what our provincial disability program's acronym was. All they saw was the social assistance department, and rubber stamped it denied.
Hello Cam, me and my wife (japanese also) are living in Japan and recently decided to move to Toronto - Well, back to Toronto in my case.
We just started searching for information on the immigration process, and bam, I come across your post. This is amazing because we're in almost the exact same situation.
Just the two of us with no kids, I've been living and working in Japan for about 5 years, and we've been married for over 2.
As newb as you think you are, I think I'm worse. So, how did you even start the application process?
I'm already lost, and I don't know what forms or website links to check at all. As you said, there's almost no point contacting the Canadian embassy either.
It would be awesome if we could get some info from you to get us started, as I can just imagine how difficult it would be to do this on your own with no help.
Thank you so much for this thread, and these forums!
Ray
Hey Ray,
Yeah, it's like a million pounds on your shoulders the first time you look at it
Best advice I can give you is to go here:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information...sp#sponsor
And read the "Guide to sponsorship" It's a LONG read, but it pretty much details all the info you need, and all the forms you have to fill out.
We just sent all of our forms in on August 24th. I hope to hear back from them soon, I hear it takes like a month for them to reply to you, if you are even eligible to sponsor and if you have all the correct forms filled out, I hope we do.
As far as what your wife has to do, she needs to get her family register from city hall and get it translated. My wife had to get 2 of them translated. There is a new one, that just starts from her mom and her siblings and then there was one that is like from her Grand parents time, both of which she got the original copies of and got official translations done. That register should have you on it too, as being married to your wife, unless you started a new one, when you got married and said that you were the "head" of the household. I just let my wife be the head, as it was just easier for us. Not sure about your situation.
She also has to go get a medical exam done. Not sure where you are located, but my wife found a location in Sendai, close to where we live, so she didn't have to travel far.
Along with all the forms you have to fill out, make sure you send in CRAP LOADS of photos, from your wedding, when you were dating, and recent years. It was suggest to me that we send in as many as deemed fit, to "prove" you're married. I know, it sounds like an insult to your marriage, but in the eyes of the CIC, you have to have "proof".
Also any postcards, and letters you guys have is good too. We sent in about 20 or so postcard and letters over the years we sent to each other, and also like over 120+ photos, dating back to 1996.
I will try to answer any specific questions as best I can. I know, it seems daunting to start, but a one step at a time! Hopefully I will get a positive answer soon.
Oh also, you have to show that you WILL be relocating yourself back to Canada. With either a Job offer, or you guys buying a house/condo,... etc.
You just can't tell them "yeah, I'll be going back to Toronto"
For me, I have a job offer and will be returning on the 28th of Sept. But my wife will be in Japan till the paperwork goes through.
Good luck, and yeah, LOTS of reading. My wife was pretty good about it and she did alot of research too. Mainly on what she had to do on her end.
Thanks so much for your help Cam. I'm going to start reading up on everything, and get to whatever applications and forms with my wife this coming week - hooray for long holidays.
Problems I can already see happening: I'm going to be going back to Canada as a student, we're going to be living with my parents until we're able to find a house/apt/etc. Does it matter what job you have? I was going to ask for my old job back at a retail store anyway. The boss is a friend of mine. But yeah, school is actually the reason I'm going back. Should I not mention that, and instead go the "I've got a job waiting for me and we're going to get an apartment?
Me and my wife met here, and got married, so we don't really have any postcards/letters to each other. Tons of pictures though, dating back about 4ish years and letters from family (birthday wishes to my wife on her bday, etc.)
Anyway, thanks again for this, and if it's possible can we keep in touch here as things progress for both of us? I know at some point you'll be finished, hopefully without incident, and may not need these forums anymore, but it would be great to know how things go from start to finish because I'll basically be copying you :).
Good luck to us both,
Ray
I think, relocation back for school should be good enough, as proof that you are gonna be in Canada when she gets there. Just get your proof of classes / university registration sent in with your application as the proof.
From what I hear, I don't think you have to meet a minimum requirement for income back in Canada if you're sponsoring a spouse, but I'm not sure, maybe someone on here please correct me on that, if it's wrong,... I don't want to give false info.
Just as long as you're not on Welfare or your wife on welfare you should be ok. Also if you want, you can also ask your parents as a co-sponsor for her,... I think. Again, not too sure about that.
And yeah, send in ALL the proof (letters, pictures) you think they will need to prove that you guys are not doing this as a marriage of convenience.
Whatever you have should be ok. Also write a letter saying how you guys met, how your relationship developed,... etc. It's at the bottom of one of the forms, asking you to provide a letter showing more proof.
And yeah, for sure keep in touch.
Where in Japan are you? You can PM me details if you want. :)
And yeah, hopefully smooth sailing for both of us.
Yeah that's going to be the tough part. I'm not enrolling in a typical university, I'm going in for music so I have to audition before anything to see if I even get accepted in. I think it might be better to just go the job/apartment route.
We have savings in Canada already that would be enough for a down payment on a small condo, or first month rent easily, along with some savings here as well. I think I can also have a job waiting for me when I get back as well, but how would I prove that? Should we send in our bank statements proving we have the money to do get a place?
We're in the very southern end of 本州, in 和歌山県. I tried PMing you, but for some reason the site won't let me. I'll try again.
BTW, about the link to the cic website you sent me. It says I should send all the forms in to the Mississauga office in Toronto. I thought we'd be sending the package to Tokyo. Are you filing an inland application, or is it just the same application but we send it to a different office instead of the Ontario one?
Outland applications are sent to Mississauga where they make the determination on sponsorship
After CIC-M is done with it - they send it off to the overseas processing office
shingudaze Wrote:BTW, about the link to the cic website you sent me. It says I should send all the forms in to the Mississauga office in Toronto. I thought we'd be sending the package to Tokyo. Are you filing an inland application, or is it just the same application but we send it to a different office instead of the Ontario one?
Yes, what Derbygirl said. Thanks
Once you are accepted for either school or a new job, you will need a letter from your future employer or the acceptance letter from the school. That should be good enough, that you are planning to relocate back to Canada.
If you don't feel that you can do it alone (as a sponsor) You could probably ask your parents to co-sign as a sponsor, but that's up to you, not sure your situation.