QUESTION:
I've been living in the US for about 8 years now as a resident, but retain
my canadian citizenship. I originally moved to the states to be with my
then fiance, now wife (american citizen). Since that time we have had two
children together, and we are now considering returning to Canada.
How long does it take for my wife and kids to immigrate to Canada, and can
my wife return for a visit... this last is important as her mother is
terminally ill.
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david ingram replies:
If you return to Canada without taking out your US citizenship "first" you
will have made a big mistake. I can't count as high as the number of people
I know who have come back to Canada, lost their Green (resident alien) card
and then wanted to go back and not been able to go.
So, BEFORE you start in on the move to Canada bit, get the US passport
first.
Then you will have to sponsor your wife into Canada. Your children are
already Canadian and you should start getting their Canadian Citizenship
confirmed and Canadian and American passports now.
You have to go through the CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) office
in Sydney, Nova Scotia. The person in charge is Ernest Smith and his
telephone number is (902) 564-7825. He will not look after you himself but
assign you to an assistant, Mary Cunningham if you are lucky.
Stay away from the CIC Call Centres in Canada. I understand that the CIC's
own internal audit of the Call Centres' responses to the questions they are
asked shows that there is a good chance that applicants' questions will be
incorrectly answered.
After you get their citizenship and have your US citizenship in your sights,
you can start the application process to sponsor your spouse into Canada.
My understanding is that the process will take up to 24 months right now.
It can be faster.
You can start the process by going to:
1. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/guides/3910e.pdf
This is a guide for sponsoring a US citizen spouse into Canada.
Publication 3910E
2. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM1344EA.pdf
This is the application form to sponsor - form IMM-1344A
3. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM1344EB.pdf
This is the sponsorship agreement - Form IMM-1344B
4. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5481E.PDF
This is the Sponsorship Evaluation Form IMM-5481
5. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5409E.PDF
This is a statutory declaration of a common-law marriage - FORM IMM-5409
6. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5540E.PDF
This is the Sponsor Questionnaire - Form IMM-5540
7. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5540E.PDF
This is an authority to release information - FORM IMM-5540
8. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5491E.PDF
This is a document Checklist - Form IMM-5491
9. http://www.canadapost.ca/tools/docp/CIC/bin/hpm-e.asp
This is where you order your official receipt
10. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/imm0008egen.pdf
This is your actual Application for Permanent Residence - FORM IMM-0008GEN
11. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/imm0008_1e.pdf
This is your Background Declaration - FORM IMM-008_1
12. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5406E.PDF
This is your additional family information - FORM IMM-5406
13. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5490E.PDF
This is your spouse or conjugal partner questionnaire -= FORM IMM-5490
14. The Above PLUS a police report from your local police station (See
the guide for details) applies to those being sponsored from the UNITED
STATES. There is a separate brochure for every country. If you are reading
this and are from any other country (Australia, Brunei, Austria, Venezuela,
etc) goto
14(a) http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/fc.html for other country
guides.
15. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/skilled/assess/index.html
This is the self-assessment test for an individual to determine his or her
eligibility to immigrate to Canada without being sponsored by a spouse.
I know this will help you make your decision. If we can help you, remember,
that is what we do for a living. In particular you should goto
www.centa.com and click on and read US/Canada taxation BEFORE you come.
Answers to this and other similar questions can be obtained free on Air
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Partners and I will be hosting an INFOMERCIAL but LIVE talk show called "ITS
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Disclaimer: This question has been answered without detailed information or
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