Question about sponsoring my US wife

[jopeek]

I guess I just need some clarification and this forum keeps coming up as a great source of information and experiences...

My wife who is a US citizen and I (Canadian citizen) want to live together in Canada. My understanding is that there are two options with the spousal sponsorship.. inland and outland.

Outland is significantly faster, but requires her to not live in Canada, or at least, not be able to work in Canada (frankly not being able to work is a no-go). She could stay here as a visitor but not work, correct? Could she work if she got a work permit, or is that out of the question at that stage?

Inland means she can live with me and work but not for like 11 months? That's seems crazy...

So, for someone who would need to work, because frankly what modern family can live off a single income these days, and wants to live with me in Canada, it almost seems like the only way to go is to get a work permit right off the bat, marriage and spousal sponsorship doesn't even matter then, might as well do the outland route cause it's faster, or the inland, whatever...

Am I right with all of this? This whole process strikes me as ridiculously time-intensive and really makes me consider just living in the US with her because it seems easier for me to find work in the US than for her here...

Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[scylla]

Yes - you're bang on.

My husband is American and I sponsored him outland for this reason. He spent most of his time in Canada as a visitor while his outland application was being processed. However it made much more sense to go with outland given the processing times.

If you go outland, chances are the entire process will be done before you even hit the 11 month mark.

 

[jopeek]

But during that time your husband didn't work?

 

[scylla]

And yes - if your wife applies outland she could theoretically work provided she is able to find an employer who is willing to offer her a job and can obtain a work permit. The employer may or may not also need to obtain an approve LMIA (permission to hire her).

 

[scylla]

But during that time your husband didn't work?

My husband is an international development consultant. He did work remotely from Canada while here as a visitor for non-Canadian companies / non-Canadian clients (which is allowed). But he did not work for any Canadian companies or clients during this time.

 

[jopeek]

Ok Thank you very much

 

[canuck_in_uk]

If you guys need both incomes and want to stay together through the processing, then the best option is to submit an outland app and remain in the US until it's approved.

Otherwise, if you can stand to do long distance for awhile, you can come to Canada to work and get ready for her arrival while she stays in the US working.

 

[rhcohen2014]

the best option is for the US applicant to work remotely for a us employer. It's worth asking the current employer for this type of flexibility if her job can easily be done remotely. There are also some customer service and administrative jobs that are virtual. i work virtually doing administrative and marketing work for a us based website while here in canada. there are apps and phone systems that allow me to use my US number to conduct business while i'm here in canada.