Info

Does anyone out there have any experience of returning to Canada with foreign national (in my case British) spouse and children? For example do you have to sort out all the paperwork from outside Canada? Or can you go over and work on it from there? I've desperately wanted to return for many years but minor things like marriage and children slow the process down somewhat lol .....

Hello,

Your wife and children have no special status because they are married to you (Canadian Citizen) so if they go in Canada they have to have genuine reason to be there (holiday : can be in Canada for up to 6 month without a visa but must return to the UK after, Other visa (student , worker, etc..).

So basically for them to be able to live in Canada you will have to apply for immigration and have the paper back before going to live in Canada.

All the information is in the "Applications for Sponsorship and
Immigration to Canada from Abroad" section on the citizenship and Immigration Canada website : http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/sponsor/index.html

You will have to sponsor your wife and children and prove that you can support them. They will have to go through a medical exam. I think it takes around 1 year to get the papers (if accepted and if you provide everything they want).

Fees are :
Sponsorship application (per application) $75
Principal applicant (your wife) $475
A family member of the principal applicant who is less than 22 years of age and is not a spouse or common-law partner $150

I hope this will help you !!

Joanne