Spouse Outside Canada - Notarized statements, photos, medical exam

To do:

• Go with at least 2 friends/relatives to a notary public, to make a notarized statement that our relationship is genuine and continuing
• Hit up other friends/relatives with an unnotarized statement to fill out and send back

Do the following while waiting for letters:

• Call photographers
• Get photos done*
  
• Make doctor appointment and bring:
  
  • Passport and photocopy of passport bio-data page
    
  • Eyeglasses
  • Previous medical reports - any documentation including physician's reports, treatment, prescriptions
  • Five recent photos taken within 6 months of exam
    
  • Completed Appendix D
    
  
  
• Make final copies of all forms and supporting documents
• Mail everything by certified mail with receipt

* Note: the only photographer I found that really seems to know what I'm talking about and can do the right size is Passport Photos Photo Center, 7961 Beverly Bl., Los Angeles (323) 653-6689, M-F 9:30-6:00p, Sat 9:30-12:30p, for $28.95. Just bring in the specifications, he said. I found them in the yellow pages under "passport & visa services"

Spouse Outside Canada - FBI & Police Clearance

1/25/07 Received FBI clearance - fi-nal-ly! Sheesh.

California LiveScan was received a couple days after it was done, FBI took 4 months. Took so darn long to get, I'm left wondering if we'll be asked to do the California one again. Grr.

My advice to anyone reading this: Get fingerprinted and send for your FBI clearance first. Then after about 14 weeks or so, send for your state police clearance. Depending on your state, you'll probably get them both around the same time.


Updated timeline:

09/29/06 - Got FBI and California DOJ fingerprints done
09/30/06 - Mailed paperwork to FBI and DOJ
10/03/06 - FBI received fingerprints
10/04/06 - Received DOJ clearance letter
01/25/06 - Received FBI clearance letter


Next: Photos and medical exam.

Exporting/Importing a Vehicle, etc.

Canadian government offices will be closed tomorrow for Boxing Day, but after that I will need to start contacting them for various information. Here is a quick to-do list.

Follow steps at RIV website
- my car has a minor recall so there will be some extra steps here

• Have recall repair performed 1
  
• Obtain manufacturer's recall clearance letter 1 2 3
  
• Check Transport Canada's list of admissible U.S. vehicles 1 2 3
  
• Check vehicles for manufacturer's valid U.S. statement of compliance label 1 2 3
  
• Valid 17-digit Vehicle Identification Numbers 1 2 3
  
• Ensure vehicles have daytime running lights 1 2 3
  
• Trucks - Manufacturer's cargo capacity label if manufactured after April 1, 1999 1
  
• Determine additional costs, such as duty and taxes
• Gather title documents, registration, sales receipts, statement of compliance label and manufacturer's recall clearance letter
• Find out about any additional provincial or territorial requirements, such as safety inspections and emissions tests
• Arrange for insurance on vehicles 1 2 3
  
• Notify U.S. Customs and follow procedures:
• Provide Certificate of Title including the VIN
  
• Provide 2 complete copies of Certificate of Title
• Submit this required documentation at least 72 hours prior to exportation
• Present vehicle for exportation at time of export
• Port Directors will determine at what location vehicle(s) must be presented
• Original document will be authenticated and usually returned
• Dirt must be washed from vehicles including undercarriages (see BIS contact info below to get requirements)
  

Things that can wait until after landing if we do an Inside Canada PR app:

• Check this - vehicles may be able to be brought in as "temporary" at first, then official importation filed later - this may work for Nickie as a temporary resident but it may be different for me as a citizen
  
• Obtain SIN from HRSDC
• Ensure that the Inside Canada forms are ready to go
• Photos - PR app
  
• Medical exam - PR app

Important Contacts:

Registrar of Imported Vehicles
1-888-848-8240
Fax: (416) 626-0366
info@riv.ca
Mon. to Fri.: 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight (EST)
Sat. and Sun.: 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EST)

Canada Border Services Agency
In Canada: 1-800-461-9999 (English) ; 1-800-959-2036 (French)
Outside Canada: (506) 636-5064 (English); (506) 636-5067 (French)
www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

Transport Canada
In Canada: 1-800-333-0371
Outside Canada: (613) 998-8616
Fax: (613) 998-4831
www.tc.gc.ca

Border Information Services
In Canada: 1-800-461-9999
(204) 983-3500 or (506) 636-5064
24-hour recorded info
Mon-Fri 8:00-16:00 local time press "0" for an agent

Import Service Centers
(for Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) requirements)
In Canada or U.S.:
Eastern ISC (Montréal): 1-877-493-0468
Central ISC (Toronto): 1-800-835-4486
Western ISC (Vancouver): 1-888-732-6222
www.inspection.gc.ca

General Motors (Oshawa, ON)
888-467-6853
905-440-7689

Toyota
1-800-331-4331

Spouse Inside Canada - Health care considerations

I've sent an e-mail to the Ministry of Health inquiring if one can apply for OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) upon arrival to settle in Ontario, or after submitting a PR app (in anticipation of CIC confirmation), or if one has to wait until CIC confirmation to apply and then still wait another 3 months for coverage. The amount of time Nickie will have to go without health coverage is a major consideration, if not the most important one, for us to determine whether it's better to do an Inside Canada or an Outside Canada application. Knowledge is power. :)

Follow-up: The e-mail address given for eligibility questions doesn't appear to exist. I filled out a feedback form on their website pointing this out. I will try by phone tomorrow (8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.). It says if you're in Toronto you can call 416-314-5518 (there's a toll-free number for the rest of Ontario), but I assume I can also call long-distance from here and get through.

Follow-up: I called and was told that you must have the written confirmation from CIC first before you will be eligible. The date of eligibility to apply will be based on the date on the letter. The 3-month waiting period begins then.

Next step: Find out about how long the confirmation usually takes, and whether CIC just sends it or you have to request it.

Follow-up: I can't seem to find an answer on this anywhere on the web. CIC has an 800 phone number but that's only usable from within Canada. For those outside Canada it directs you to your nearest Consulate. I will call the Consulate General in Los Angeles between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. to ask those questions. (213) 625-7154.

Follow-up: Oops. That's a fax number and there's no phone option for immigration questions. So I faxed my questions and await an answer.

Spouse Inside Canada - Health care considerations

The Canadian Medicare system (Canada's national healthcare system - no relation to U.S. Medicare for seniors), while apparently regulated by the Federal government, is administered by the provinces. So each province has its own requirements for eligibility, waiting period if any, etc. Each province seems to also have its own website to help people immigrate there. Ontario's is excellent and is found at Settlement.org.

I don't know about the other provinces, but Ontario's system doesn't require you to have Permanent Residency status. According to the FAQ at Settlement.org , as long as you have filed a PR application and "have been confirmed by Citizenship and Immigration Canada as having satisfied the medical requirements for landing", you can apply for a Medicare card. There is a 90-day waiting period. All this meansPublish that if we do an Inside Canada app, Nickie doesn't have to wait 12-15+ months for medical coverage (9-12+ months for her PR plus 3 more months waiting).

I don't know how soon the medical confirmation from CPC takes, but this is good news if we decide to do an Inside Canada app. Which, more and more, seems to be the way to go. Why pick up and move twice when we can do it once and be done with it? Yes, there's the risk that her app would be denied, but it seems like a small chance that will happen. Even so, what's the worst that could happen? We'd have to move twice after all?

RV prep - revised to-do

Called last week and couldn't get someone to come for RV detailing until tomorrow, Monday. I will meet them at the storage place to pay them and decide if I'm going to have them wax it too (based on how good it looks). The last few steps will involve:

1. Bringing back items that made it here, that should be left with RV
2. Bringing water (for cleaning), drinking water, scrub brush, baking soda, checkbook, camera, hand sanitizer, personal fan with batteries, and newspaper (believe it or not, newspaper leaves windows very sparkling clear and streak-free)
3. Securing all windows and vents in anticipation of washing
4. Scrubbing the tub and shower while detailers wash
5. Washing windows inside and bathroom mirror, if I have energy
6. Emptying last few items out of interior and the front compartment
7. Inquire at office - what did they do with our hitch lock?
8. Pay detailers
9. Take photos of inside and outside for posting in ads
10. List RV online and in print publications - post pics where possible

Spouse Inside Canada - FBI & Police Clearance Certificates

This process is very similar to the one for Outside Canada applications.

1. If you have lived in certain countries listed, you will need additional information or forms from CIC before applying for immigration.
2. Apply for Certificates - include:
   
   • Request for Police Certificate/Clearances (Appendix A)
   • Set of fingerprints
   • Complete return mailing address
3. Provide documentation - bring Fingerprints Request Letter (Appendix B) and photo ID and contact local police or RCMP for fingerprinting info
4. Submit the Certificates - original
   

Spouse Inside Canada

gray - Not applicable
red - Completed items

Case Processing Centre
Vegreville, AB T9C 1W3

Sponsor forms

• IMM 1344A - Application to Sponsor and Undertaking - original
  
• IMM 1344B - Sponsorship Agreement - original
• IMM 5481 - Sponsorship Evaluation, or IMM 1283 - Financial Evaluation if your spouse/partner has dependent children included in this application who have children of their own - original

Applicant forms

• IMM 5002 - In-Canada Application for Permanent Residence & Schedule 1 - original
• IMM 5285 - Spouse/Common-law Partner Questionnaire - original

Sponsor and Applicant forms

• IMM 5476 - Use of a representative
• IMM 5443 - Document Checklist - original

Supporting Documents - Sponsor

• Canadian birth certificate - photocopy

Supporting Documents - Applicant

• Passport pages clearly showing your passport number, name, date of birth, passport issue/expiry dates and stamp made by a Canadian authority showing your most recent entry into Canada - photocopy
  
• Indication of status in Canada (e.g. visitor visa, study permit or work permit, temporary resident permit, including out of status documentation) - photocopy
  
• Birth certificate for you - photocopy
  
• Birth certificate or Canadian citizenship certificate for any dependent children
• Custody papers for your children from a previous relationship
• Adoption papers for your dependent children who were adopted
• Police certificates (Refer to Appendix A) - original {6 months}
  
• Proof of medical examination (copy of fees paid receipt) (Refer to Appendix D) - photocopy

Supporting Documents - Sponsor and Applicant

• Marriage certificate (or in our case, domestic partnership certificate) - photocopy
  
• Divorce, annulment, separation or death certificates, if either of you were previously married - photocopy
  
• Proof of your common-law relationship (e.g., evidence of joint bank, trust, credit union or charge card accounts; jointly signed residential lease, mortgage or purchase agreement; statutory declarations of individuals with personal knowledge that your relationship is genuine and continuing)
• Photographs of the marriage or common-law relationship ceremony, if applicable (photocopies are acceptable; originals will not be returned) - photocopy
  
• Declaration of severance of common-law relationship - original

Photographs

• Two (2) recent identical photos of the applicant and any of his/her dependent children in Canada {6 months}
  

Proof of income for Sponsor

• An Option C printout of your last Notice of Assessment for the most recent taxation year including printouts of all income slips, or explanation on a separate sheet of paper why this printout was not provided - original
• If you are employed, a letter from your current employer stating your period of employment, salary, and regular hours per week - original
  
• Other documentation, specified on form, for if you are sponsoring a spouse/partner with dependent children with dependent children of their own - it's too long, I'm not going to include it here
  

Processing fees

• Receipt form that has been stamped by a financial institution showing the amount paid - Copy 2

Other Documentation (beginning at page 40 of IMM 5289 the main guide)

Appendix A - Request for Police Certificates/Clearances - original
Appendix B - Fingerprints Request Letter - original
Appendix C - Photo Specifications
Appendix D - Medical Instructions

Making sense of paperwork

Trying to understand exactly what the necessary paperwork is, and what order the various tasks should go in, is more than a little confusing. For example, the medical exam should be done as soon as possible to the day you send in all your paperwork because it expires in 12 months (if I recall correctly). But your police/FBI clearance certificate(s) may take around 4 months to get (also if I recall), so you want to do them in advance... but how far in advance, since there is no doubt a time window during which it is considered valid?

The following posts are my attempt to organize my thoughts on what paperwork is needed for Nickie's PR app (Inside Canada vs. Outside Canada app), and Dad's Travel Document.

For the purposes of describing the spouse / common-law partner / conjugal partner PR applications, I'm simply going to refer to them as "spouse." It's just easier, and that's the type of relationship those terms describe anyway. :) Items we don't need are gray. Completed items will be red.


-- More to come; I'm just about out of energy and so is my laptop battery. :)

To Do - first draft

This is a rough sketch of things to do. First, things that need to be done regardless of where we move to. Then mixed tasks including things that depend on circumstances, highlighted in blue. Completed items will be marked in red italics rather than deleted, so as not to remove potentially helpful information.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Finish cleaning extra stuff out of the apartment

Sell the RV (it's in an RV storage facility) - I'd like to get it on the market within a week of today

1. Finish emptying out RV including bedding
   
2. Clean counters, tub, sinks, floor
3. Ask management - where is hitch lock?
4. Hire someone for RV detailing - who does management contract with?
5. Take photos of inside and outside for posting in ads
6. Double-check Blue Book value
   
7. List RV online and in print publications - post pics where possible

If RV sale goes well, we'll put more weight into considering going directly to Ontario

File for Dad's Travel Document - Application for a Travel Document (Permanent Resident Abroad) (IMM 5524)

1. Finish polishing arguments for H&C
   
2. Gather documents to back up H&C arguments - Record of Landing (IMM 1000), driver's license and/or passport, mail sent to this address, etc.)
   
3. Gather Dad's information and fill out the application together
   
4. Get 1 passport-size photo, write name and date of birth on back
   
5. Get Money Order, Cashier's Cheque or Bank Draft - $45 USD or $50 CDN payable to the "Canadian Consulate General"
   
6. Mail application - contact info is:
   

   Consulate General of Canada
   550 South Hope Street, 9th Floor
   Los Angeles, CA 90071-2627

   Tel: (213) 346-2700, Fax: (213) 346-2767
   e-mail: lngls-td@international.gc.ca

   Territory: California, Arizona, Hawaii, New Mexico, Nevada

If the RV sale goes well *and* Dad gets a Travel Document, I imagine we'll go directly to Ontario

Take detailed inventory of all items; this will be needed for the Personal Effects Accounting Document (B4) form, needed by the Canadian Border Services Agency (link here) when you cross the border. There should be 2 lists; 1 for items you've brought with you and one for "items to follow" that will be brought or shipped later. Anything not on these lists will get TAXED so be thorough. Returning residents (such as my father and I) get a $10,000 tax exemption, presumably to assist with importing your car tax-free.

Pack up less-frequently-used items

Label all boxes clearly; better yet, number them as well and keep detailed item inventory on a separate list corresponding with the B4 document - i.e. "Box A, 12 books."

Check with the Registrar of Imported Vehicles at www.riv.ca to see if our cars are acceptable for import (Canadian auto requirements differ from those in the U.S.) - as of this writing, there is a document here - RESULT: yes our cars are ok, but always double check with RIV (see step below)

Call RIV at (888) 848-8240 (toll-free in Canada and U.S.), to confirm acceptability of our cars

Check on requirements for auto insurance in new location

Check on health insurance arrangements in new location (in Ontario, this would be just until we were covered by the Canadian healthcare system)

Look for work

Look for a new place to live in our chosen location

File "inside Canada" or "outside Canada" PR application for wife (breakdown of steps for this will be posted in the future)

Spouse - Outside vs. Inside Canada

As I mentioned earlier, there are two ways to apply for PR for your spouse/partner. One is from "outside Canada," and one is from "inside Canada," when your spouse/partner has already come to live with you in Canada. There is a different set of forms and requirements for each of these methods. This is a description of some differences I found on http://www.borderconnections.com/faq.html#in-out-canada

Q: What is the difference between In Canada and Outside Canada applications?

There are two different (but very similar) procedures when it comes to submitting a spouse/common-law partner sponsorship Family class application - In Canada and Outside Canada applications. In Canada application is often submitted by applicants who are already in Canada. Outside Canada application is submitted by applicants who are outside of Canada.

In Canada application does not have a right of appeal to IAD (Immigration Appeal Division) if your application gets denied. In other words, you need to reapply. Outside Canada application has a right of appeal to IAD and has an option to present your case before reapplying.

In Canada application allows an applicant to stay in Canada by filing for an extension. Outside Canada application does not have this option and an applicant may not be able to stay in Canada if he/she does not obtain a permanent resident visa before his/her temporary status expires.

It is important to analyze your case and submit the most advantageous application.

Background

I'm a dual citizen, having been born in Canada to a U.S. father and a Canadian mother and all the proper residency requirements having been met. As a citizen I have the right to live and work in Canada, but since my wife and father are U.S. citizens, there is some paperwork and such to do for them to be able to do the same. They need Permanent Residency status. My father had PR status back when I was a kid, but it's debatable whether he can retain that. That's a story for another day. There are several ways to get PR status, called classes. As a Canadian citizen I can sponsor my wife under the Family Class, which involves "sponsoring" her for 3 years. Sponsorship means agreeing to ensure that her living needs are met so she doesn't need to apply for social assistance (welfare). In other words, they want to ensure you're not creating a burden on the system by bringing people to Canada and then just expecting the government to support them.

The best place to start for more information on Canadian immigration is the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website at http://www.cic.gc.ca . It's pretty well organized and they also have all the forms you'd ever need, in downloadable Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format. Saves them from mailing them and you from waiting for them. :)

It's worth mentioning that we are pretty desperate to move, regardless of the destination. We stay here for free because my mother owns the property and I'm managing it on her behalf (also another story for another day, and one reason why we've stayed as long as we have), but this area is infested with gangs and it's positively nervewracking to live here. After more than 2 years of watching the gangs move into our neighborhood, and putting up with more and more of the helicopter/car chases, gunfire, crime, graffiti, habitual trespassing on this property doing who knows what, and other problems they bring, we're ready to leave this place by hook or by crook - yesterday if possible. What a cesspool! Why anyone sane (who isn't rich enough to insulate oneself by living in the well-to-do areas) would ever choose to live here voluntarily is beyond me.

That said, we've been rather undecided whether to make the move directly to Canada and apply for PR after we're there, or temporarily move someplace else in the U.S. and apply for PR while continuing to save money for the "big move." I suppose we will probably do the latter, but if we do, then where? We'd like to cut costs to save money faster. We have an RV but it's not equipped for cold, so we can either live in the RV someplace temperate (we don't mind it, and it's cheaper than renting an apartment) or sell it and live someplace with a lower cost of living. Ultimately, for our Canadian destination, we'd like to end up somewhere in Ontario between Toronto and Ottawa. Some considerations for the meantime, so far:

• local suburbs - "known evil," may be quickest way out, not great but at least significantly better than here
• Oregon coast - wonderfully peaceful and beautiful, but is also tsunami hazard zone, and finding work could be a real challenge
• Minneapolis - very nice place in many regards, jobs seem plentiful, much closer to Ontario, but we'd have to rent an apartment because the RV wouldn't withstand the winters
• Colorado somewhere - beautiful area, don't know much else so still doing research, RV wouldn't withstand the winters