U.S. back to Canada?

[Moosker 7]

I know this is completely adsurd writing this as it has only been a number of months since I received my CR1 visa. What a crazy journey it has been! Before we even decided that we were going to live in the U.S., my husband and I both agreed that one day we'd like to move back to Ontario, to live closer to family.

Just wondering is there anyone out there on VJ that has done the same thing we're considering? (I'm Canadian, he's American) Getting your visa, and then deciding to move to Canada years later?

I just want to know the process, what it's like going the opposite way, and maybe what it's like "sponsoring" your American spouse/going through the Canadian visa process while living in the U.S.

Anyways, thanks all for your advice in advance

[Malrothien 6]

I can't remember, but I'm not sure if there is an ability to sponsor your husband into Canada while you live outside the country. Granted, it's been 3 years since hubby sponsored me.

[trailmix 77]

You can eitheresponsor him from inside Canada or while you are living outside of Canada.

Canadian immigration paperwork is quite straight forward, or at least I found it to be so. Basically you get everything together and send it off.

Their website is really quite good:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/sponsor/index.asp

[Moosker 7]

Thanks for the info!

Trailmix -- you immigrated back to Canada before coming back to the U.S.? I've joined the RoadtoCanada site for information.

[trailmix 77]

Thanks for the info!

Trailmix -- you immigrated back to Canada before coming back to the U.S.? I've joined the RoadtoCanada site for information.

Hi Moosker,

No, we just drove back

But, my Husband immigrated to Canada.

[Lenie7 0]

My husband sponsored me into Canada last year and it was a pretty easy process. I believe the whole thing took about 5 months from start to finish. I'm not sure if the time line would be any different if you are not physically in Canada, but the immigration process seems to be very efficient. Good luck!

[Rustbelt 0]

Don't forget that if you move out of the US you will lose your green card unless you can prove that your move is temporary. And if you do lose your green card, you have to start the immigration process all over again. I know this because it happened to my wife. Wait until you have US citizenship before moving unless you're absolutely certain you won't live in the US again.

[rae_and_scott 1]

We are currently going through the process.

I agree that CIC's website is quite good. The discussion forums on US2Canada aren't very active at all (nothing like VJ). There is also a forum on immigration.ca, which IMO is better, but still nothing like here.

But, the process does seem pretty straightforward. (so far)

[trailmix 77]

We are currently going through the process.

I agree that CIC's website is quite good. The discussion forums on US2Canada aren't very active at all (nothing like VJ). There is also a forum on immigration.ca, which IMO is better, but still nothing like here.

But, the process does seem pretty straightforward. (so far)

Yes, honestly, it really is

I would venture to say that is why the U.S. to Canada forums aren't that busy - probably mostly people posting only when they have a problem? Not posting just trying to figure out what the form REALLY means

Edited September 2, 2009 by trailmix

[trailmix 77]

Oh one other thing you might want to look at is the site which gives you all the info about importing your U.S. car in to Canada:

http://www.riv.ca/Home.aspx

[rae_and_scott 1]

I would venture to say that is why the U.S. to Canada forums aren't that busy - probably mostly people posting only when they have a problem? Not posting just trying to figure out what the form REALLY means

That is a good point and probably true. But, as I did with our K1 here, I wanted to be able to check other people's timelines, so for that, I wish those other websites were more active!

[to_hope 0]

Don't forget that if you move out of the US you will lose your green card unless you can prove that your move is temporary. And if you do lose your green card, you have to start the immigration process all over again. I know this because it happened to my wife. Wait until you have US citizenship before moving unless you're absolutely certain you won't live in the US again.

Good advice. We often think about moving to Canada someday, but both agree that we will wait until I become a citizen first. There is no way I'm going through US immigration again!!

[Krikit 1,163]

My husband sponsored me into Canada last year and it was a pretty easy process. I believe the whole thing took about 5 months from start to finish. I'm not sure if the time line would be any different if you are not physically in Canada, but the immigration process seems to be very efficient. Good luck!

So somewhat like the American process then, yes?

[trailmix 77]