Common-Law Sponsorship - Fiance Living Together in US for 1 Year (Looking for Reassurance)

[mehatfie]

Hey All - I've read a bunch of forums over the past little while, but a few people have made me question my knowledge. Looking for a little bit of reassurance that we'll be approved for our move to Canada.

Quick Notes:

• I am a Canadian Citizen, born and raised. Most of my family lives near Toronto
• In Oct. 2016 I moved to the United States (California) for work
• I met my girlfriend (US Citizen) in March 2017, in Feb. 2018 we moved in together (over one year ago)
  • Side note, she isn't legally on the house lease, but her mailing and billing address is the same as mine (for Credit Cards, bank, etc.). I believe this should be sufficient for proving co-habitants along with other information.
• In Feb. 2019 I proposed to her, and we are getting married in Nov. 2019 this year
• We are looking to move to Canada around Jan. 2020 (beginning of next year)
• I am 26 (Feb 1993), she is 27 (June 1991)

My Thoughts:

• Apply as a common-law sponsor in an Outland Application
  • For flexibility of travel in/out of Canada during processing time.
  • I know the application process has gotten closer with Inland application times. Ideally Outland magically runs a bit quicker
  • Can appeal Outland if needed (ideally it goes through on the first try)
• My fiance is well educated, and if the sponsorship doesn't go through in time, she could likely find a position in her field and get a work visa under USMCA (previously NAFTA)
  • Once the PR goes through, she might want to branch out and try something different, or try running her own side business at home in tangent to a full-time job in her field
• Ultimate goal being to work on Dual Citizenship for the both of us, starting with her getting a Canadian Citizenship first. Then after 3-4 years, we might come back to the US and work on me getting my US Citizenship
  • This is just to give us options in the future, as we don't know what we want to do or where we'll eventually want to "settle down"

I have done minor research into the specific forms we need to fill out. But if someone has gone through a similar process, any quick tips are greatly appreciated! Although once I know that I'm on the right track, the Canadian immigration website seems to do a good job of stepping you through the process and specific form info. However their evaluation questionnaire didn't give me confidence in my exact situation.

 

[Hurlabrick]

Hey All - I've read a bunch of forums over the past little while, but a few people have made me question my knowledge. Looking for a little bit of reassurance that we'll be approved for our move to Canada.

Quick Notes:

• I am a Canadian Citizen, born and raised. Most of my family lives near Toronto
• In Oct. 2016 I moved to the United States (California) for work
• I met my girlfriend (US Citizen) in March 2017, in Feb. 2018 we moved in together (over one year ago)
  • Side note, she isn't legally on the house lease, but her mailing and billing address is the same as mine (for Credit Cards, bank, etc.). I believe this should be sufficient for proving co-habitants along with other information.
• In Feb. 2019 I proposed to her, and we are getting married in Nov. 2019 this year
• We are looking to move to Canada around Jan. 2020 (beginning of next year)
• I am 26 (Feb 1993), she is 27 (June 1991)

My Thoughts:

• Apply as a common-law sponsor in an Outland Application
  • For flexibility of travel in/out of Canada during processing time.
  • I know the application process has gotten closer with Inland application times. Ideally Outland magically runs a bit quicker
  • Can appeal Outland if needed (ideally it goes through on the first try)
• My fiance is well educated, and if the sponsorship doesn't go through in time, she could likely find a position in her field and get a work visa under USMCA (previously NAFTA)
  • Once the PR goes through, she might want to branch out and try something different, or try running her own side business at home in tangent to a full-time job in her field
• Ultimate goal being to work on Dual Citizenship for the both of us, starting with her getting a Canadian Citizenship first. Then after 3-4 years, we might come back to the US and work on me getting my US Citizenship
  • This is just to give us options in the future, as we don't know what we want to do or where we'll eventually want to "settle down"

I have done minor research into the specific forms we need to fill out. But if someone has gone through a similar process, any quick tips are greatly appreciated! Although once I know that I'm on the right track, the Canadian immigration website seems to do a good job of stepping you through the process and specific form info. However their evaluation questionnaire didn't give me confidence in my exact situation.

Lots of excellent advice in this wiki page here:

https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Spousal_Sponsorship-Canada/FAQ_-_New_Application_Forms

Aimed at Canadian / Brits, but same for USA as well. Difference is that for Canadian / USA combinations, your sponsorship application is likely to be processed start to finish in around 6 months, rather than the 'blanket' 12 months you will see normally quoted.