1. No big issue. Plenty of threads comment on airport issue: generally just stick to plan is to visit, don't bring all worldly goods with her, return ticket may or may not help. If pushed, you as couple might apply for PR sometime but haven't decided when. It's ok to change minds.Hi everyone. I hope you can help me with some questions and share your experiences.
This is my situation:
- I'm a Canadian citizen who lives in Canada.
- I work remotely.
- My fiancee and I will get married next month (in our home country - not Canada).
- I've been temporarily living with her since July (in our home country - not Canada) and my name is in her lease.
- She has a valid Canadian visitor visa.
- We plan to file the application in January from within Canada (we will be living together for a total of 7 months by then).
1. Our plan was to go to Canada in January and then file the application from within Canada to be considered an inland application while she waits for the application with me. Does anyone see any issue with this? What should I say at the airport when we arrive? Can I say that or should I say that she will just visit me for a while and then return? I was considering buying her a return ticket for a few weeks after we arrive just in case.
2. Since we have been and will be continuously living together since July (both outside Canada and then in Canada as soon as we arrive), would it be okay to apply under the "Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class" and check the option that "she is living with me" even though she is in Canada as a visitor? I'd put her name in the lease and get a cellphone bill in her name to prove her address is the same as mine.
3. The goal is for her to stay with me until the application is completed and also to apply for an open work permit, but her visitor visa allows her to stay for up to 6 months, so if we don't hear back about her work visa before 6 months, she would have to leave the country. Has anyone gone through this experience?
2. Yes, you can apply as living together in Canada even as a visitor. (Note: obviously in this case as married because you don't meet common law criteria - pointing this out for benefit of others really and to avoid confusion.) Putting her on lease etc is helpful here to demonstrate relationship and you residing together.
3. She would likely not have to leave the country, but rather apply to extend visit. Routinely granted (at least once) for those in process of applying for spousal sponsorship. Just be sure to apply before that six months is up.