Outland sponsorship for wife - do I have to be in Canada?

[mmkm]

Hello forum..

I am getting ready to sponsor my wife to Canada. I read that I have to be physically present in Canada for the duration of the application. Can anyone shed more light on that? Is there a way around that requirement?

My concern is that I cannot leave my wife alone in the country (my history has the reason). So I am looking to either be with her in the country I am applying from, or bring her to Canada after the marriage.

Can anyone shed more light on this?

 

[DanSlh]

If you are a pr card holder, yes, you have to be in Canada (short travels are allowed like 2 or 3 weeks).
If you are a Canadian citizen then you can apply Outland even if overseas.
I don't know your reasons, but since you cannot leave her alone, try a visitor visa or something, but it's hard since you two have a relationship.

 

[mmkm]

The reason is that we married against the wishes of our parents because we are from different religions. She has nowhere safe to live if I am not in the country.

EDIT: Do I have to be in Canada till all the time she doesn't get her residency?

 

[scylla]

The reason is that we married against the wishes of our parents because we are from different religions. She has nowhere safe to live if I am not in the country.

EDIT: Do I have to be in Canada till all the time she doesn't get her residency?

See the answer already given above. Since you are a PR, you must be living in Canada when you sponsor your wife and you must continue living in Canada while her application is being processed. If you take a few short trips (2-3 weeks) outside of Canada to visit her - that's fine. But you must continue living primarily in Canada or your application may be refused.

 

[scylla]

Just to add, if you feel you cannot leave her then you will need to apply for a TRV and hope it's approved so that you can bring her to Canada and sponsor her from there.

If the TRV is refused, then you'll have to leave her behind and go to Canada alone to complete the sponsorship process.

 

[mmkm]

scylla, thanks for your reply.

So if she comes to Canada on a TRV (tourist visa?), is it legal to get married in Canada and then apply from there?

 

[scylla]

So if she comes to Canada on a TRV (tourist visa?), is it legal to get married in Canada and then apply from there?

Yes - you can certainly do this.

The trick is getting the approved TRV.

 

[mmkm]

Thanks for your reply everyone. I really wish Canada would do away this rule

Seems like I have to leave her alone. I will try for the TRV.

 

[d_j_heckford]

Random question here, but you stated married against your wishes... is this being the case just so can be used in obtaining a PR card? If you were pressured into it and not really in love... just saying?

 

[mmkm]

No, we married against the wishes of our parents. We were dating for 5 years+. Our parents did not want us to get married so we ran away from home and did it

 

[d_j_heckford]

Ah well that's ok then, and good for you, if you love someone truely , no one should tell you who you can and can't marry, wish you all the best

 

[bigredmoose]

scylla, thanks for your reply.

So if she comes to Canada on a TRV (tourist visa?), is it legal to get married in Canada and then apply from there?

It won't be legal to get married here if you already got married somewhere else...

 

[bigredmoose]

Just out of curiosity, have you maintained the Canadian residency requirement?