We are considering possible immigration to Canada, but may have a problem. I have a wife and child, and my wife would like to see if I can find employment, get housing, etc.......then, once a "home base" is established, have my wife and daughter join me. (We do not want to put my daughter through the rigors of immigration if it does not look as if we can actually make it in Canada).
So....here is the delimma.If "I" am the primary applicant, I barely score enough points to be considered (a "questionable" 67). But, if my wife is listed as the principal applicant, she easily scores an 82 on the scale, as she has relatives living in Canada, is fluent in both french and english, has an upper level degree, etc.......all the things which boost ones score.
Id we apply with "her" as the principal applicant (and receive a PR visa), will I be allowed to enter Canada (initially, without her and my daughter)and attempt to become established? Or, will we be required to all enter together?
(I guess, conversly, if it is "I" who seeks to enter Canada and get established, if it is "I" who applies....even with lower scores.....would my family be required to enter with me at the same time???)
Any advice????? Thanks.........Wayne

Hmmm...sticky situation you have. You will definitely need to research this a little more yourself, but to my understanding (and I am not an expert here...) the principle applicant must be the one actually entering the country. Since your wife and child will not enter with you, you must list them on the application, and state that they will not accompany you to Canada. Then, once you have established the "home base" for your family and received your permanent residency status, your wife can apply and have you sponsor her and your child. There is no point scale needed to pass to have them enter under the family class, you need to only sign the sponsorship agreement forms and such. This would also work the other way around if she came in to Canada first as the primary applicant and chose to sponsor you and you child under the family class later. If her points are higher, as she is less likely to be rejected, you may do this instead. Read up on this some more at the link below and good luck!

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/sponsor/index.html


--One last thing, you stated that she has family in Canada? How closely related to her are they? Would they be willing to sponsor your family so that you may avoid the point scale all together? (If you do this, either she will have to come in first and sponsor you later, or all of you together.)

I recommend having her apply first and have the rest of you apply in your application. But keep in mind that she can only sponsour only 3 people at a time.

Try finding a job at http://www.monster.ca or http://www.jobbank.gc.ca .
Try finding an apartment at http://www.apartmentscanada.com

I recommend having her apply first and have the rest of you apply in your application. But keep in mind that she can only sponsour only 3 people at a time.

Try finding a job at http://www.monster.ca or http://www.jobbank.gc.ca .
Try finding an apartment at http://www.apartmentscanada.com

oooh.... thanks for the apartment link Kyle. I will definitely use that one... It seems I am only a few months from crossing the border.... now that the time is finally here, the anticipation that is growing has become extremely overwhelming. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that all goes smoothly!