Well I've been granted PR status as a Skilled worker.

The entire process from start to finish has taken 4 yrs - a VERY long slog.

So yes, my fiance has always known that Canada was in the pipeline and finally its upon us.

I read in the spousal sponsor guidance notes that the principal spouse has to be in Canada to start the application process.

I have already started putting together my application as a sponsor here in the Uk, and asked my fiance to start gathering the relevant docs he needs to submit his application so by the time May comes around, we will be ready to submit both applications.

Also, I have read that the couple has to provide evidence of some kind of asset in Canada, whether it be property deeds, a property they are renting over there, job offer, college course offer. That is, if we return to the UK for a few months.

Was he not on your original application then? And I thought you had to declare him if he was your common-law partner or spouse before your PR was granted?

Is he your fiance or husband (as you've referred to him as both)?

Sorry, not being nosy but just wondering how it didn't affect your PR application!

Depends on status at time of application when my OH was going trough PNP we were advised not to have me on the application as we were not offically living together even though we were engaged this was due to job requirements. I was still allowed sponsorship after we married.

If you are married you can apply for sponsorship from inside Canada then your OH can come straight over and get a TWP for work. Only problem with this is he cannot leave Canada till he has his PR status.

My OH was here for a little short of two years, with frequent short trips back to the US. This became progressively more nerve racking so she then took a course in order to obtain a study permit. The study permit gave her a year of residency during which I sponsored her for PR. The problem with this method was the cost, there was tuition to pay and she couldn't work while on the study permit.

Fourteen months. We came on a visitors visa - got two extensions because of our family needing support. We applied for another and our PR came through just before the last six months were up. I think most of my grey hair appeard during this time!

My OH is still my fiance until 4th July then he will be my husband!

I applied for a Skilled worker PR visa long before I knew my fiance, and when the forms came through to update the CHC London with change of jobs, addresses and other vital new info we had become engaged. However, being engaged doesn't interest the CHC, being married does!

Ah, and I have checked out the Wiki section of the site - very helpful.

So, a few more questions have arisen from all this:-

1) OK, so we know that once myself and my fiance arrive in Canada mid-May, that we're going to submit the spousal application. We are info gathering now in readiness.

BUT when we return to the UK 2 weeks later, we will still not have an address in Canada. My brother and S-I-L have kindly let us use their address for my PR card, but they suggested that this could also be considered to be a 'mis-representation' because it isn't our home address but a relative's address. ALSO, how does one get the address that is on the PR card changed to a permanent address once we have found a place to live in Calgary? Is it straightforward or complicated to change the address on the PR card??

Not only that but I will be asking my brother and S-I-L to mail the PR card to me in the Uk once it has arrived at their address so that I can return to Canada as a PR.

Is it possible that they can continue forwarding immigration mail to us in the UK so that we can continue earning and await the PR status?? OR is this an absolute no no.

2) Secondly, post 4th July, I should have found out whether or not I have been approved as a sponsor, then we'll have the 6-8 month wait to find out whether my OH has been granted PR status.

In the meantime what are the options for him to stay in Canada as my spouse??

There is the tourist option
There is the TWP, although this appears to have several restrictions, one being, he has to have a job offer??

What other options are there for him to stay in Canada where it may be necessary to apply for an extension?

Thanks.

Study permit. (As noted above).