+1(514) 937-9445 or Toll-free (Canada & US) +1 (888) 947-9445

Moving to Canada

myers1811

Star Member
Jan 26, 2020
95
3
Hello everyone,

Quick background story, I'm from England and Live in England and currently live with my Fiance. (In November, we would have lived together for 2 years)

In September, we are getting married and in November her Visa for the UK expires.

I want to go back to Canada with her in November, but don't know the best route to take, We don't want to be apart so is it possible to do the following;

In November, I go to Canada with the standard ETA visa for up to 6 months and then apply for the Spouse Visa as we will be married then, from within Canada, is this possible?

If so, what can I do about work whilst I am there, whilst it's all processing?

Thank you in advance.
 

canuck_in_uk

VIP Member
May 4, 2012
31,553
7,205
Visa Office......
London
App. Filed.......
06/12
Hello everyone,

Quick background story, I'm from England and Live in England and currently live with my Fiance. (In November, we would have lived together for 2 years)

In September, we are getting married and in November her Visa for the UK expires.

I want to go back to Canada with her in November, but don't know the best route to take, We don't want to be apart so is it possible to do the following;

In November, I go to Canada with the standard ETA visa for up to 6 months and then apply for the Spouse Visa as we will be married then, from within Canada, is this possible?

If so, what can I do about work whilst I am there, whilst it's all processing?

Thank you in advance.
Apply now as common-law.
 

canuck_in_uk

VIP Member
May 4, 2012
31,553
7,205
Visa Office......
London
App. Filed.......
06/12
Hey, what will this achieve?
Exact same thing as waiting until you marry, PR.

Also, if we are not in a position to be able to do this; will what I originally said be okay to do?
You can do that but the common-law option will result in PR faster. You won't be able to work until February or March, at the earliest.
 

myers1811

Star Member
Jan 26, 2020
95
3
Exact same thing as waiting until you marry, PR.



You can do that but the common-law option will result in PR faster. You won't be able to work until February or March, at the earliest.
Ahhh I see.

So In November, it's okay for me to go on the standard ETA visa and then just apply for the spouse visa? or would I also need to apply for an open work permit?
 

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
95,841
22,108
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
Ahhh I see.

So In November, it's okay for me to go on the standard ETA visa and then just apply for the spouse visa? or would I also need to apply for an open work permit?
You won't qualify for an open work permit until you are physically in Canada and have submitted an inland sponsorship application. From the time you submit the complete application package, it will be around 4 months before the open work permit is approved. So count on not being able to work for at least 4 months from the time you arrive in Canada.
 

canuck_in_uk

VIP Member
May 4, 2012
31,553
7,205
Visa Office......
London
App. Filed.......
06/12
Ahhh I see.

So In November, it's okay for me to go on the standard ETA visa and then just apply for the spouse visa? or would I also need to apply for an open work permit?
As above, you need to apply for the OWP with the inland app.

If you can, the common-law app right now really would be better. You would be a PR by the time you would be getting the work permit from an inland app.
 

myers1811

Star Member
Jan 26, 2020
95
3
As above, you need to apply for the OWP with the inland app.

If you can, the common-law app right now really would be better. You would be a PR by the time you would be getting the work permit from an inland app.
So if we started the common law process now or soon, that's all we need to do?

What would happen in November when she has to go back? Would I be able to go with her whilst it's being processed?
 

myers1811

Star Member
Jan 26, 2020
95
3
As above, you need to apply for the OWP with the inland app.

If you can, the common-law app right now really would be better. You would be a PR by the time you would be getting the work permit from an inland app.
Also, will getting married in September change anything?
 

canuck_in_uk

VIP Member
May 4, 2012
31,553
7,205
Visa Office......
London
App. Filed.......
06/12
So if we started the common law process now or soon, that's all we need to do?

What would happen in November when she has to go back? Would I be able to go with her whilst it's being processed?
If you apply now, there is a definite possibility of the PR app being approved by November. If not, you can come to Canada as a visitor.
 

canuck_in_uk

VIP Member
May 4, 2012
31,553
7,205
Visa Office......
London
App. Filed.......
06/12
Will getting married in September change anything?

Thank you for all the info this far, massive help :)
If you mean applying as common-law now and then getting married, no, it doesn't change anything. You just update IRCC with the marriage certificate.
 

myers1811

Star Member
Jan 26, 2020
95
3
If you mean applying as common-law now and then getting married, no, it doesn't change anything. You just update IRCC with the marriage certificate.
Great, that's fine!

So, to be clear.

Whilst we are both in the UK now, She can start the Sponsorship part and I apply for PR?

Then come November, if it all goes smoothly, I can just go to Canada with her in November?
 

canuck_in_uk

VIP Member
May 4, 2012
31,553
7,205
Visa Office......
London
App. Filed.......
06/12
Great, that's fine!

So, to be clear.

Whilst we are both in the UK now, She can start the Sponsorship part and I apply for PR?

Then come November, if it all goes smoothly, I can just go to Canada with her in November?
It's all one app.

Yes. You would either land as a PR if the app is done or come as a visitor if it is still in process.