Student Visa & Dependent Work Permit Question

[pancho9208]

Hello! I am hoping to get some advice on my case. My girlfriend and I are both graduate students from Guatemala, currently under student visa status in the U.S, we met 8 years ago in Guatemala, and have dated for the last 2 years here in the states.

We will both graduate from our masters this upcoming May, and would like to relocate to Canada. She wants to pursue a PhD, and I want to start working (Architecture). So we figured it would be a great idea for her to apply for a student visa, and for me to get a dependent work permit so I can build my practice while she studies.

My questions are the following:
1) How soon do we need to get married for our relationship to stay legitimate to the eyes of immigration? Getting married is something we don't want to rush, and it would be great to do it right after graduation. However, I am afraid this might seem too suspicious to immigration officers.

2) What kind of assets in Guatemala can we show documentation of, in order to prove an intent to return? My girlfriend has a fixed-term savings account, and I have some land under my name. However, since I've been living in the US for 5 years, I don't have much more in Guatemala.

3) Do you see any reason why our case would be rejected? Is this a viable option?

Thank you!

 

[zardoz]

Hello! I am hoping to get some advice on my case. My girlfriend and I are both graduate students from Guatemala, currently under student visa status in the U.S, we met 8 years ago in Guatemala, and have dated for the last 2 years here in the states.

We will both graduate from our masters this upcoming May, and would like to relocate to Canada. She wants to pursue a PhD, and I want to start working (Architecture). So we figured it would be a great idea for her to apply for a student visa, and for me to get a dependent work permit so I can build my practice while she studies.

My questions are the following:
1) How soon do we need to get married for our relationship to stay legitimate to the eyes of immigration? Getting married is something we don't want to rush, and it would be great to do it right after graduation. However, I am afraid this might seem too suspicious to immigration officers.

2) What kind of assets in Guatemala can we show documentation of, in order to prove an intent to return? My girlfriend has a fixed-term savings account, and I have some land under my name. However, since I've been living in the US for 5 years, I don't have much more in Guatemala.

3) Do you see any reason why our case would be rejected? Is this a viable option?

Thank you!

If you are not married and have not cohabited for 12 consecutive months (to qualify as common-law), then IRCC considers that you are just dating, and nothing more.
Therefore, you need to plan based on that.

 

[pancho9208]

Thanks for your reply! We plan on getting married before applying for the permit. We just don't know how soon before is still acceptable, or if it even matters. For example, would it affect our application if we get married in April 1, and submit the application in April 15? Would they care that we JUST got married?

 

[zardoz]

Thanks for your reply! We plan on getting married before applying for the permit. We just don't know how soon before is still acceptable, or if it even matters. For example, would it affect our application if we get married in April 1, and submit the application in April 15? Would they care that we JUST got married?

Probably not, as long as you can demonstrate an ongoing and genuine relationship.

 

[pancho9208]

Ok, perfect. We have been living together since August, and have dated for 1 year in Guatemala (very young) and since 2017 here. We have photos, and all kinds of support for that. Are you aware of how much we need to show in connection to Guatemala?
Does she need to show proof of intent to return, or do I need to show it?