Sponsering Spouse from the States

[nmcvey]

I apologize if this has been covered before. However I am new to the site.
I am a Canadian married to an American and have been for nearly 19 years. We are planning on moving back to my hometown in BC this summer. I have applied and been approved to sponsor my husband and we have applied for his permanent resident status. I have a couple questions that I can't find clear answers on. (we currently live in the States)
1. How long does it typically take for a spouse to be approved. I am hearing different times and when I check online for the estimated time it seems to be growing in length (from a couple months to 13 months now). He has completed his physical, we have sent everything in. Haven't heard back whether he need his FBI background check sent in.
2. If we don't hear back by the time we plan to move about his permanent residence status can he come up with us (we have 3 kids that are dual citizens) and stay for a few months then return to the States? If so does he need any special visa that we should be applying for now?

Thank you for any feedback you can give me.

 

[Landagirl]

My husband is a US citizen and we applied Outland and it took 5 months for his passport request now just waiting for his COPR to arrive. See my timeline.
Inland is supposed to be around 12 months now with the new system in place.

You will need to send in his FBI background, we sent it in with the original application, but not sure if you are using the old or new forms. We sent everything upfront the old way.

US is a visa exempt country and he can stay with you for 6 months for sure without a problem and if you applied outland then he should have PR by the time the 6 months is up.

Not sure if this helped much but I am sure others will add to it.

 

[CDNPR2014]

feel free to hang out on the us applicant thread to keep track of current progress. the "13 months" that used to be listed on the website is not an average. it suggests that 80% of all applications processed at ottawa (not just us applications) are processed within that time. the real time experience of people on this forum suggests it's currently taking 5-6 months for US applicants to get approval.

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/us-outland-applicants-thread-t106068.7275.html

he will receive a request for the FBI report, so he will need to send it in at some point.

he can certainly "visit" you while his application is processing.

 

[canadianwoman]

Because the government just overhauled the process, we are not sure of the time sponsorship should take anymore. However, American applicants are typically done quickly, in less than a year.

He can come with you to Canada before he gets his PR. He would enter as a visitor. He does not need a visa for this - he would enter like any other American. He has to be clear to the border agent that he is just visiting while the application is in process. He should bring proof of the PR application (such as the payment receipt) and proof of ties to the USA if he has any. Almost always Americans in this situation are let it. Many forum members have done so with no problems.

 

[nmcvey]

This is very helpful. Thank you.