Bringing Arlyn to Canada

The Immigration Process 

Information on the Canadian Immigration Process
based on
My Sponsorship Application Experience
with
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)
   
This is a overview of the immigration process as we experienced it in 1997-1998. 
It includes a summary of the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) 
family member sponsorship application requirements applicable to our situation at that time. 
Each application is unique and therefore different requirements may apply for other situations.
The CIC Immigration requirements have also undergone a number of modifications in the interim.
 
  STEP ONE:  Obtaining an Application Kit
  STEP TWO:  Completing & Submitting the Sponsorship Application and Supportive Documents
  STEP THREE:  Processing the Sponsorship Application
  STEP FOUR:  Completing Immigration Application Kit & Submitting to Canadian Visa Office in Manila
  STEP FIVE:  Processing the Immigration Application
  STEP SIX:  Applying for Canadian Citizenship

 
 

STEP ONE:  Obtaining an Application Kit

A month or so before I traveled to the Philippines to marry Arlyn I initiated the immigration process from Canada by contacting the Vancouver office of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) by telephone and attempted to order an Immigration Kit using the automated telephone system. It did not work. One week later I phoned again, explained my intent to an operator, and requested that the appropriate Immigration Kit be sent to me by mail.  Within three days, I received an Immigration Kit entitled "Application to Sponsor Family Class Member".

For information on Canadian immigration and visa matters, including application forms that can be downloaded on the Internet, go to the following Canadian Government site: 


 

STEP TWO:  Completing and Submitting the Family Class Member Sponsorship Application and Required Documents
1.

Obtain Professional Advice

It is recommended to consult an Immigration Lawyer or Immigration Consultant for advice in completing the application both here in Canada for the sponsor's documents and in the immigrant's country for their documents.  CIC has experienced many problems with immigrants attempting to come to Canada under false pretenses.  As a result applications to sponsor individuals from certain countries undergo very close analysis and the processing time for some can be very long.  A good consultant can help you avoid pitfalls that could jeopardize your application.
 
2. 

Carefully Complete and Submit All Documents

It is extremely important to carefully read all of the instructions and to ensure all questions on the application are completed, including signatures where required, and all additional required documents are submitted.  If incomplete documents are submitted, the entire application kit will be returned to the applicant for complete resubmission.  Approximately one month of time (or more) may be lost each time incomplete documents are returned for resubmission. 
 
3.

Appeal Process

If an application is rejected there are provisions for appealing the rejection and/or resubmitting.
     
     The Family Class Member Sponsorship Application Kit 
     
      Sponsorship Application Kit Document List:
    1. Application to Sponsor a Member of the Family Class Form:
    This application form identifies the Sponsor(s), and the Immigrant.
    2. Undertaking to Assist Member of Family Class :
    This undertaking makes clear the obligations of the Sponsor(s) and sets out the consequences for the Sponsor(s) if they fail to meet the obligations.
    3. Sponsorship Agreement:
    This is a legally binding agreement between the Sponsor(s), the Immigrant and  the Federal Government.  The Sponsor(s) commits to care and provide for the Immigrant for a minimum of 10 years and both the Sponsor(s) and the Immigrant commit that the Immigrant will not rely on public assistance during this period.  The legal consequences of default or breach of this agreement are also defined and agreed to by the Sponsor(s) and Immigrant.  This document is signed by both the Sponsor and the Immigrant.  Arlyn signed it when I visited her in the summer of 1997.
    4. Financial Evaluation Form: 
    This form evaluates the ability of the Sponsor(s) to financially support the immigrant.  It establishes a Low Income Cut Off (LICO) limit based on the number of dependents the Sponsor has and the area of residence.  It compares this with the Sponsor's Gross Income less current financial obligations.  Note:  When sponsoring one's spouse or dependent children, one does not have to meet the LICO limit. 
    5.  Immigration Fees Calculation Table:
    The Processing Fee to sponsor an Immigrant when we applied was $500. The fee to sponsor a dependent son or daughter under age of 19 was $200.
    The Right of Landing Fee for any individual 19 years of age and older when we applied was $975.
    6.  One document, Statutory Declaration of Common Law Union, did not apply to our situation and was not required to be completed. 
  1. Supportive Documents

    2.  
      Supportive Documents required to be submitted with my Family Member Sponsorship Application: 
    1.  Immigration Fee and Right of Landing Fee 
    2.  Proof of Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Resident:
    Copy of my Birth Certificate 
    3.  Proof of Relationship to Immigrant:
    Copy of our Marriage Certificate 
    4.  Proof of Income:
    1. Letter from Employer confirming salary, employment hours, and length of time employed.
    2. Copies of Pay Stubs for previous 12 months.
    3. Copy of T-1 "General - Individual Income Tax Return" for previous year.
    4. Copy of T-4 "Statement of Remuneration Paid" for previous year.
    5. Copy of Notice of Assessment from Revenue Canada for previous year. 
    5.  Proof of Financial Obligations:
      1.  Personal Loans and Lines of Credit.
      2.  Credit Cards - Interest paid for previous year.
      3.  Property and School Tax paid for previous year.
      4.  Insurance payments.
      5.  Other Expenses.

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STEP THREE:  Processing the Sponsorship and Immigration Applications

1. The Process
 
1.
 Processing an immigration application is a two stage process.  My Sponsorship Application was processed in Canada, and Arlyn's Immigration Application was processed by the Canadian Visa Office in Manila. 
 
2.
 CIC explained that the approval process for sponsoring a spouse or fiancee (one person only with no dependents) is typically the shortest.  This approval process normally takes 6 months to a year to be successfully completed, longer if there are complications. 
 
3.
 Our application was processed in a total of 5-1/2 months:
  • One month for CIC to approve my Sponsorship Application. 
  • Two months for Arlyn to receive the Immigration Application Kit from the Visa Office in Manila, complete the application, compile the required documents, and submit the kit to the Visa Office.
  • Two and one half months for the Canadian Visa Office to process Arlyn's application.

    •  
4.
 CIC also indicated that the length of time required to process this and other types of sponsorship applications varies depending in part upon how many people are being sponsored and the immigrant's country of origin.  Applications from certain countries undergo added scrutiny and investigation due to the past history CIC has with fraudulent applications from these countries.
2.  Processing our Application in Canada
 
1.
 I sent my application by Canada Post, ExpressPost to the Processing Centre in Mississauga, Ontario on September 27, 1997.
 
2.
 The application was received by the Processing Centre on October 1st and processed over the next 4 weeks.  It was approved in principal (approved subject to processing of Arlyn's application documents) on October 30th. The Immigration Application Kit would be issued to Arlyn by the Canadian Visa Office in Manila.  The Visa Office would also process the completed documents.
 
3.
 The application was forwarded to the Visa Office in Manila on October 30th.
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STEP FOUR:  Completing the Immigration Application Kit and Submitting Documents to The Canadian Visa Office in Manila 
 
1.  Processing our Immigration Application in Manila:
 
1.
 On November 18th Arlyn received her Immigration Application Kit from the Canadian Visa Office in Manila.
 
2.  Valuable Assistance from An Immigration Consultant
 
1.
 We retained an Immigration Consultant in Manila, Mr. Benjie dela Cruz of Golden Sky Travel & Tours Inc., to assist Arlyn.  Because of his experience with many other successful applications, Benjie proved to be a very valuable asset and saved us several weeks if not months of processing time.  Since Arlyn did not live in Manila, it was very difficult for her to arrange for the Medical Examination, arrange to go to Manila to attend the seminars and to submit the required documents to the Visa Office.  Benjie helped us in many ways:
 
1. In October, while my application was being processed here in Canada, Benjie arranged for Arlyn to attend the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Guidance and Counseling Program and the CFO Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar. 
2. When Arlyn received her application kit, Benjie helped her complete the documents.  He obtained her answer to each question, telephoned me for information when Arlyn could not provide an answer, and with this information he answered each question in a simple, straight forward manner.
3. He arranged for the Medical Examination by an authorized doctor.
4. He ensured that Arlyn obtained all of the required supportive documents and sent them to him in Manila.  He then delivered them to the Canadian Visa Office. 
5. He checked with the Visa Office on the progress of the application.
6. He got Arlyn a very good price for her airline ticket to Canada - a much better price than I could arrange from Canada.
3.  Tips on completing the Immigration Application:
  
Tips on completing the Immigration Application:
Based on our experience and the advice we received, following are some tips on completing the Immigration Application:
1. Proof of relationship between sponsor and immigrant is extremely important.  The spouse/fiance(e) questionnaireis designed to determine how well and for how long the sponsor and immigrant have known each other.   Supporting letters, photographs, and phone records are essential pieces of evidence to prove the relationship.
2. Conflicting stories about how the sponsor and immigrant met and how long they have known each other can make the application suspect and subject to additional scrutiny and longer processing time sorting out the contradictions.
3. Simple, straight forward and honest answers to each question seems to be best.  It appears that simple answers are adequate and lengthy, detailed ones are not necessary. 
4. Lying on the application could result in an automatic rejection of the application.  If the offense is serious enough, it could result in deportation of the immigrant even years after they have come to Canada.
5. All questions must be carefully and truthfully answered.  The application will not be processed if there are unanswered questions.  If conflicting information is provided the processing of the application may be delayed until the information provided by both the sponsor and the immigrant is in agreement. 
6. If the Visa Office suspects that misleading  information is being provided by the immigrant, the immigrant may be requested to attend an interview at the Visa Office or an immigration official may request an interview at the immigrant's home.  Fortunately we provided adequate information and Arlyn did not have to attend any interviews.  Arlyn does suspect that the Visa Office did conduct an investigation of her because one day a man, who told her he was Canadian, showed up where she worked as a telephone operator and quizzed her about her plans to emigrate to Canada.
 


  4.  The Immigration Application Kit 
 

    Immigration Application Kit Requirements
    Following is a list of the documents Arlyn was required to provide to the Canadian Visa Office.
    1. Spouse and Fiance(e) Questionnaire
    2. Medical Examination (from a Doctor authorized to conduct a medical examination on behalf of the Visa Office).
    3. Philippine Department of Justice security clearance.
    4. Copy of Arlyn's Birth Certificate
    5. Copy of Arlyn's Baptismal Certificate
    6. Proof of Relationship Requirements:
    1. Copy of my Birth Certificate
    2. Copy of Our Marriage Certificate
    3. Copies of our letters, e-mail, and my long distance telephone records.
    4. Copies of photographs of us together, of our wedding, and of the two of us with our wedding guests and Arlyn's family.
     
    7. Arlyn also had to complete another form confirming my birth date, my birthplace, where I attended high school and university, the graduation dates, and the degrees I obtained at university. 
    8. Pre-Departure Requirements
    1. Obtain a valid passport (Passport photos required).
    2. Register with Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and: 
    1. Attend a Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (Passport photos required)
    2. Attend a CFO Guidance and Counseling Program (Passport photos required)
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Spouse and Fiance(e) Questionnaire
Following are the questions on the Spouse and Fiance(e) Questionnaire that Arlyn had to answer:
1. When were you first introduced to your spouse, and who introduced you?  What were the circumstances of this introduction?
2. Have you ever met your spouse in person?
3. How did you become acquainted with your spouse?  Did you go on any outings / dates together?
4. Why did you decide to marry your spouse?
5. When and how did you become engaged?
6. If you are already married, was there a formal marriage ceremony?  When and where was the ceremony held?  How many persons attended?
7. Was your marriage arranged?  If so, by whom, and what is your relationship to this person?
8. Is your family in any way related to your spouse's family?
9. Do you know your spouse's parents and family?  Have you ever been introduced to them in person?  Has your spouse been introduced to your family?
10. Do you have any family members in Canada?  Are they acquainted with your spouse?
11. How do you and your spouse communicate, and how often?  Please provide evidence if available.
12. Do you exchange gifts?  If yes, what kind and how often?
13. When did you last see you spouse?  Where?
14. When, why and how did your spouse go to Canada?
15. What did your spouse do for a living before going to Canada?  What is he doing now?
16. Where did your spouse live before going to Canada?  Where does he live now and with whom?
17. Have you or your spouse ever been married or engaged before?  If yes, provide details of your or your spouse's previous marriage/divorce/annulment.
 
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STEP FIVE:  Processing the Immigration Application 

 

 
 
1. On November 18, 1997 Arlyn received her Immigration Application kit from the Canadian Visa Office in Manila.
2. January 5/98 - Benjie submitted the application to the Canadian Visa Office on Arlyn's behalf.
3. January 20 - Arlyn received a fax from Benjie with a document dated January 13 from the Canadian Visa Office indicating that the application had been received and was being processed.
4. March 11 - the Visa Office approved Arlyn's application.
5. March 14 - Arlyn received her Immigration Visa allowing her to emigrate to Canada.
6. April 17 - Arlyn landed in Vancouver, Canada and was processed through Immigration and Customs at the Vancouver International Airport without any difficulties.  She is currently a Landed Immigrant / Permanent Resident of Canada and may apply for Canadian Citizenship in 2001.
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STEP SIX:  Applying for Canadian Citizenship
 
1. April 20, 2001 - We submitted Arlyn's Application for Citizenship which we had earlier downloaded from the Internet.
2. May 28 - Arlyn received a study book entitled A Look at Canada from CIC which she was to study in preparation for her Citizenship test.  The information in this book covers all questions in the Citizenship test.
3. July 31 - Arlyn wrote her Citizenship test.
4. September 26th - Arlyn received a Notice to Appear - To take the Oath of Citizenshipfrom the CIC Citizenship Court - Vancouver requesting her to appear on October 11th at the Italian Cultural Centre in Vancouver to take her Oath of Citizenship.
5. October 11, 2001 - Today we attended the Oath of Citizenship Ceremony at the Italian Cultural Centre.  Along with about 500 other immigrants Arlyn took the Oath of Citizenship.  She received a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship and a congratulatory document from Elinor Caplan, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.  She is now a Canadian Citizen.
   

             

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    Copyright © 1998-2003 - Terry D. Maunu