Sponsorship time period

[Montrealer]

Out of curiosity, I was wondering how long an American agrees to sponsor someone when sponsoring through immigration?

I was wondering, because in Canada the minimum is 2 years after obtaining permanant residence status, but a province may add more years based upon their own laws.  For example, when I fill out the paperwork for my wife, Immigration Canada makes me sign a 2 year commitment, but Immigration Quebec makes me sign a 10 year commitment.  Even if I get divorced, no matter the reason, I am still responsible for her.  Meaning, if she were to go on welfare, for example, I would be obliged to pay welfare back any money that she withdrew.  Also I am responsible for any debts she may incur.  Or if she doesn't pay her income taxes, again they can go after me.  And more, even if were no longer married.  Then, what would happen if one or both moved out of Quebec, and to another state where the time period was past?

I know that there's only a few Canadians, and none that post, but how would that work if one or both moved out of Quebec in the event of a marriage breakdown?  Also what is the US policy in comparison for sponsorship?

Just curious

[Ray]

In a nutshell, you agree to be financially responsible for your immigrant spouse until she dies, becomes a U.S. citizen, leaves the U.S. permanently, or she works for a total of 10 years (40 quarters). It could be forever…

[Montrealer]

Wow, so it's even stricter in the US.  I thought it was harsh in Quebec.

Ray, I assume even if there is a divorce then you're still responsible?

Also, how strict does the goverment enforce this issue?

[flipflop]

Yes, I think divorce is the point of the binding agreement of supportas it would be a deterent from commiting fraud. From what I understand the enforcement of the affidavit of support is lax here in the US but is being seen more and more. The government didnt worry me so much as hospitialization who have bill collection with teeth. So lets say she cans ya and gets hit by a truck or gets cancer and runs up a couple hundred thousand in medical bills.

Ouch

[Ray]

Wow, so it's even stricter in the US.  I thought it was harsh in Quebec.

Ray, I assume even if there is a divorce then you're still responsible?

Also, how strict does the goverment enforce this issue?

Yes, still legally responsible, even if divorced.

Actually, the governemnt almost never enforces this stuff.

[Montrealer]

So lets say she cans ya and gets hit by a truck or gets cancer and runs up a couple hundred thousand in medical bills.

Got to love Canada with our free medical services.  

[Dennis]

Did the I-134 Affadavit of Support form change or is there a different form that is used in the Marriage.  The form I filled out also stated the 10 years of work and that I needed to update the government anytime I moved with my new address.  I was thinking by support it was for Welfare, I wasn't thinking about medical so I got a wake up call reading this post.  When I went to look at the I-134 form it nows says you are only responsible for 3 years and it doen't mention any work period.  What am I missing?

[Ray]

Form I-864 is the one that counts.

That I-134 is not considered legally enforceable and is used only for non-immigrant visas.

[flipflop]

So lets say she cans ya and gets hit by a truck or gets cancer and runs up a couple hundred thousand in medical bills.

Got to love Canada with our free medical services.  

I would think medical services rendered by the government would be subject to the affidavit of support also

[Montrealer]

Once she has her permenant residence, she simply gets the medicaire card and then I have nothing to worry about.

[flipflop]

Unless she gets sick, I'd be worried if I got sick in Canada

[Montrealer]

Even if you were paying cash, a doctors visit to a general practitioner would cost between $25 - $100.  And the meds are still dirt cheap regardless if you have medicaire or not, sometimes up to 80% cheaper than the US.

Hospital visits on the other hand, are expensive.  An example that comes to mind, a few years ago a buddy came up from the states and got into a bar fight that ripped his ear half off.  I took him to the hospital, and when he got the bill about 10 weeks later, the whole thing cost him over $500 for the emergency room and some stitches.  Pretty steep.  Good thing at the time the US dollar was strong, but if it happened now, it could be even steeper.

[flipflop]

Cost isnt the issue, care is. I spent 3 years at Lake Superior State University locked in a commons with hundreds of Canadians who didnt want to pay the bridge fare to go back and forth between classes. One thing they all agreed on, the delivery of medicine in Canada is slow, sub-standard and without choices.

Probably OK if ya need an antibiotic for your sniffles, id start to worry beyond that.

[Montrealer]

I actually just read/heard something comparing the tow (US & Canada) health care systems.

It stated that Canadians were more unsatisfied with our health care system than Americans were with thiers.  We expressed high concerns in waiting times for non-immediate surgeries, emergency rooms, transplant lists, etc.  The wait for all these is long.  When my friend went to the hospital with his ear dangling off, he waited in the ER for over 3 hours before seeing a doctor or nurse.  Then another 2 hours waiting for the stitches and stuff.  So it wouldn't surprise me if ex-pat Canadians didn't want to come back for simple things.  However, Canadians appreciated the health care system that is provided on a whole and only like 20% (aprox from memory) stated they would rather have private care and pay for it.

And the exact opposite was stated about the US.  US citizens were happy with the service they received, but were extremely upset at costs and the variety of services that were made available to them depending on their insurance/HMO.  And about 70% (aprox from memory) said they would rather the US adopted a plan like Canada.

So I guess each country has it's pros and cons.

But one thing that you can't argue with is the medication.  The medication costs in the US are out of control.  I dabble a little bit with some companies that provide perscriptions to US citizens from Canadian pharmacies, and when we do a cost compare it is outrageous.  The companies I work with tell me that an average senior citizen in the US that uses their services could spend over $300 a month on drugs.  That's crazy.  And the same $300 worth of meds here in Canada would probably cost about $100 - $150 give or take.