Do I stay or do I go?

[Hops 0]

I am a US citizen living in Alberta my wife is canadian and step children as well, I have a job in

the US so we are making our way down, i've been told DCF is what we need to do and its usually faster. One of my questions is if we file DCF, do I need to remain in Canada while their immigration is being processed this way? or do I need to be working in the US so I can prove i'm making enough, or is a letter from the company sufficient. I know this isn't the right section but when I immigrated to Canada they had the option of applying inland in which I did, I remained in Canada as a visitor for about 2 years while I immigrated. Is there anything similar in the US where my wife and kids can apply for immigration while visiting the US and remain until its done

any help would be appreciated

[trailmix 77]

Hi and welcome,

This thread will give you some information:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=223197

From what I know, no, you don't have to stay in Canada while it is being processed. As for your other question - no, there is no inland process for U.S. immigration.

Edited October 14, 2009 by trailmix

[Penguin_ie 5,997]

Welcome!

You can leave Canada as soon as the i-130 is filed.

[Hops 0]

ok so i'm filling out the I-130 it asks for my address and their address, should I put the address i'm moving to at the end of the month in the US (november 1st) for myself ? and my wife is moving to Red Deer at this time as well should I put this address? we will probably be filing this before the 1st but we are renting and apartment and this will no longer be our address

and my wife has two children from a different relationship (my step children) can I file just the same for them or is there something special I need to do, do we need something from their father?

also i'll be filing in Calgary and my wifes birth certificate is the old style (wallet sized card) do we need to get her the new full sized one?

sorry for the many questions

and thanks for the help

[trailmix 77]

Use the Red Deer address for both of you. You have to be resident in Canada to do DCF, don't want to mess that up.

I don't know much about the step parent application - I believe it's just an I-130, but i'm sure someone else will chime in with an answer. From the Father you will need a letter stating that he is allowing the children to go and live in the U.S. with your wife.

Yes, your wife needs to present the full sized birth certificate (the one that includes her parent's names).

Edited October 16, 2009 by trailmix

[Hops 0]

thanks for the reply, another question has come about, do I need to fill out a form 325 for each one of us as well? total of 4 since there is 4 of us

and would it cause a problem if I moved the majority of our possessions down early (when I go down to the states after filing the form in november) we don't have much but enough and finally I read in another post filing these forms will void my canadian PR is that true as well?

thanks again

[trailmix 77]

Where did you read that about it voiding your Canadian PR? That is 100% untrue. In fact, for a Canadian PR, as long as you are living with your Canadian spouse that is considered to be 'residence' for your PR - so not only is it not voided - you also don't lose it!

No problem moving your possessions down with you - you are an American, you can take your stuff whenever you like - just remember to make an itemized list to take with you, they normally don't ask for it - but it's good to have anyway.

As for the 325 - yes, one for each of you (and 4 copies of each - ie: a total of 4 pages for each person).

[Hops 0]

I actually saw that your PR is voided in the sticky for Canada DCF at the top of the page, in the first post at the very bottom second to last paragraph she mentioned that she lost her PR, I may have read it out of context or misunderstood however.

thanks for your replys, you have been extremely helpful

Edited October 16, 2009 by Hops

[trailmix 77]

I don't think you misunderstood, guess that is what she thought - interesting, wonder if she ever found out she won't actually lose it

Edited October 16, 2009 by trailmix

[Hops 0]

I don't think you misunderstood, guess that is what she thought - interesting, wonder if she ever found out she won't actually lose it

lol yeah really

I unfortunately have another question

do I need to get criminal checks done for my 4 and 5 year old? knowing the government I probably do but it seems so silly

Edited October 16, 2009 by Hops

[trailmix 77]

In this case it actually makes sense! No, only applicants 16 years or older have to submit police checks.