Spousal Sponsorship, Social Assistance, and Open Work Permits

[James2424]

My partner and I are considering marriage this year (2021).

I am from the UK while my girlfriend is Canadian and lives in Toronto.

My girlfriend is currently on employment insurance (EI) due to the pandemic. She was employed before this. The government site mentions that the sponsor cannot be on social assistance. Does being on EI due to the pandemic count as social assistance during a sponsorship application?

Also, I currently work in the UK. Can I submit an open work permit application with the sponsorship?

Thanks.

 

[scylla]

My partner and I are considering marriage this year (2021).

I am from the UK while my girlfriend is Canadian and lives in Toronto.

My girlfriend is currently on employment insurance (EI) due to the pandemic. She was employed before this. The government site mentions that the sponsor cannot be on social assistance. Does being on EI due to the pandemic count as social assistance during a sponsorship application?

Also, I currently work in the UK. Can I submit an open work permit application with the sponsorship?

Thanks.

EI is not classified as social assistance. You are good on that front.

No, you cannot submit an open work permit application with the sponsorship while outside of Canada. You would need to travel to Canada first and submit an inland application in order to qualify for an open work permit.

 

[James2424]

EI is not classified as social assistance. You are good on that front.

No, you cannot submit an open work permit application with the sponsorship while outside of Canada. You would need to travel to Canada first and submit an inland application in order to qualify for an open work permit.

Thanks for that.

Could I simply visit Canada and apply right away for the open work permit at the same time as the sponsorship or do I have to stick around? My girlfriend's address is my permanent address when in Canada. I work in cybersecurity and it's not a remote-friendly position. I want to get a work permit first and then transfer jobs.

 

[scylla]

Thanks for that.

Could I simply visit Canada and apply right away for the open work permit at the same time as the sponsorship or do I have to stick around? I work in cybersecurity and it's not a remote-friendly position. I want to get a work permit first and then transfer jobs.

You would need to remain in Canada if you want to apply inland and qualify for the open work permit. Applying inland requires you to cohabitate with your spouse / partner in Canada.

 

[James2424]

You would need to remain in Canada if you want to apply inland and qualify for the open work permit. Applying inland requires you to cohabitate with your spouse / partner in Canada.

That makes sense.

Do you know what the ETA currently is for an open work permit? If it isn't more than a couple of months, I could take my annual leave during that period.

 

[scylla]

That makes sense.

Do you know what the ETA currently is for an open work permit? If it isn't more than a couple of months, I could take my annual leave during that period.

It's definitely more than a couple of months. Probably around 5-6 right now - sometimes longer due to the pandemic.