Road To Canada Forums

Hello,

I just returned from the Canadian Visa office in NY and wasn't able to speak to anyone one-on-one so I thought I would post questions here.

Here's my situation:

I'm a Canadian citizen residing in NYC for the last 12 years. I've been married to a US citizen for 5 years and have a 1.5 year old child. We'd like to move to Vancouver, BC in two months (hopefully).

I also went to the Canadian Visa office in Manhattan but was unable to speak to anyone. I also called the toll free number but it only works if you're located in Canada. I went to the cic.gc.ca website to collect the forms I needed but now I'm second guessing myself. Here they are if anyone actually wants to sift through and see if we're missing any.

IMM 5540 - Sponsor Questionnaire
IMM 1344A - Application to Sponsor
IMM 5481 - Sponsorship Evaluation
IMM 0008 - Application for Permanent Residence
IMM 0008 Schedule 1 - Background/Declaration
IMM 5406 - Additional Family Information
IMM 5490 - Sponsored Spouse Questionnaire


Hopefully someone could shed a little more light on this for me?

My questions...

1) Do I have to be in Canada to sponsor my wife and child?

2) I spoke to a Canadian border security officer over the phone and they said that I can bring the paperwork with me to the border. If we show that we're in the middle of the application process it won't be a problem getting everyone over the border. Even better if we have some sort of confirmation from Canada Immigration. Can anyone vouch for this?

3) Can we move to Canada and then start the immigration process? If so, what about the medical examination? Apparently an examination has to take place before becoming a permanent resident. Correct?

4) Cats - Do they need a medical examination? Paperwork involved?

5) Moving all items - Do I need to fill out any forms for this or just document everything I own?

6) Car - I purchased a 2007 CR-V a few months ago. Are their any forms I need to get this over the border?

I think that's it. Thanks in advance to anyone who got this far.

(06-19-2010 06:50 PM)mitsurugi Wrote: [ -> ]Hello,

I just returned from the Canadian Visa office in NY and wasn't able to speak to anyone one-on-one so I thought I would post questions here.

Here's my situation:

I'm a Canadian citizen residing in NYC for the last 12 years. I've been married to a US citizen for 5 years and have a 1.5 year old child. We'd like to move to Vancouver, BC in two months (hopefully).

I also went to the Canadian Visa office in Manhattan but was unable to speak to anyone. I also called the toll free number but it only works if you're located in Canada. I went to the cic.gc.ca website to collect the forms I needed but now I'm second guessing myself. Here they are if anyone actually wants to sift through and see if we're missing any.

IMM 5540 - Sponsor Questionnaire
IMM 1344A - Application to Sponsor
IMM 5481 - Sponsorship Evaluation
IMM 0008 - Application for Permanent Residence
IMM 0008 Schedule 1 - Background/Declaration
IMM 5406 - Additional Family Information
IMM 5490 - Sponsored Spouse Questionnaire


Hopefully someone could shed a little more light on this for me?

My questions...

1) Do I have to be in Canada to sponsor my wife and child?

Not if you're a Canadian citizen - but you do have to include evidences with your application that you intend to resettle in Canada.

(06-19-2010 06:50 PM)mitsurugi Wrote: [ -> ]2) I spoke to a Canadian border security officer over the phone and they said that I can bring the paperwork with me to the border. If we show that we're in the middle of the application process it won't be a problem getting everyone over the border. Even better if we have some sort of confirmation from Canada Immigration. Can anyone vouch for this?

It's always going to be at the discretion of whichever officer you encounter when you reach the port-of-entry but typically if you (as the citizen) have proof of your legal marriage and proof that you are applying to sponsor your wife for permanent residence, they'll give her temporary status that allows her to stay in Canada with you until PR is granted. Be aware she will not be allowed to work or attend any schooling until she has her PR status.

(06-19-2010 06:50 PM)mitsurugi Wrote: [ -> ]3) Can we move to Canada and then start the immigration process? If so, what about the medical examination? Apparently an examination has to take place before becoming a permanent resident. Correct?

Yes, there is a medical examination that has to be done with a Designated Medical Practitioner. She can have a medical done in Canada. Please don't make the mistake of thinking that you have to apply via the inland PR process just because you intend to be in Canada when the application is processing. Applying outland, with processing happening at the embassy in Buffalo is much faster.

(06-19-2010 06:50 PM)mitsurugi Wrote: [ -> ]4) Cats - Do they need a medical examination? Paperwork involved?

There was just a thread I saw about this involving dogs.

(06-19-2010 06:50 PM)mitsurugi Wrote: [ -> ]5) Moving all items - Do I need to fill out any forms for this or just document everything I own?

You'll want to visit the Canadian Customs website and read through the info about Canadians resettling in Canada. You're allowed to bring a certain $$ amount into Canada without paying duty. Your wife can bring all of her belongings into Canada after she becomes a PR without paying any duties.

(06-19-2010 06:50 PM)mitsurugi Wrote: [ -> ]6) Car - I purchased a 2007 CR-V a few months ago. Are their any forms I need to get this over the border?

Same as above - and the car cannot have a lien on it. Your US lender (if there is one) will not allow the car to be released for export if you owe money on it. It has to be exported first, and then imported into Canada and you will probably pay duties on it. Your wife wouldn't if she imports it after landing.

Read through the info on the US2Canada website for more info on sponsoring a US citizen spouse for PR.