Am I eligible under the Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC)?

[faysterne]

I am a Mexican citizen and I am applying to move to Canada under the FSTC. My wife is Canadian, but we are full-time volunteers in Mexico, so we figure she wouldn't be approved as a sponsor for financial reasons. The FSTC seems to be my best option. I have a job offer in Alberta in construction, but I notice that the application says that I need to have paid work experience in my trade. Also that my work experience needs to have come after being qualified, however, I was never certified as a carpenter. I've been working as a volunteer to build houses for the poor for the last 3 years. Would this be enough to have me approved?

Felipe

 

[amikety]

Hi Felipe,

I don't know about the FSTC, but I do know about Family Class. There is NO income requirement for spousal sponsorship. The only thing you need to do is show how you plan to support yourself once you settle in Canada. If she has family that will let you live with them, they can write a letter. You can show job searches, job offers, plus savings to help adjust to Canada. You have to do some work to prove these things, but it can be done (and is done regularly).

The easiest thing to do is ask her family if they would be willing to help out

You could start the Outland application now and if you get the construction job or another job, come to Canada once you get the work visa.

Btw, if you aren't experienced professionally, it's very difficult to get a work permit in any trade or profession.

 

[faysterne]

Thanks for your help, but I'm still not so sure about the Family Class visa. On the website it says "When you sponsor a spouse...to become permanent residents of Canada, you must promise to support them financially. Therefore, you have to meet certain income requirements." Also, on the sponsors application it asks about all jobs & their salary for the past 5 years. My wife was a student & a full-time volunteer for the past 3 years... :

 

[amikety]

There is an income requirement for some family members, but not a spouse. If you search "income requirement spouse" on the forum, you'll find dozens of threads about it and they will all tell you the same thing. There is no minimum requirement. The only thing you must do is show how you plan to support yourselves once you come to Canada. The fact you, the applicant, can also work is considered support. All they want to know is your family won't be claiming social assistance.

The sponsor forms are generic and ask a lot of questions that don't matter in some cases. All they're doing is collecting information, so when they do a background check, they can make sure everything matches.

The other thing you would need to do - if she hasn't moved back to Canada by the time she sponsors - is make plans to return to Canada and show proof of that. (Rental lease, letter from parents to live with them, etc.)

 

[faysterne]

Wow, that actually makes things a lot easier. Thank you so much for your help!

 

[amikety]

Wow, that actually makes things a lot easier. Thank you so much for your help!

De nada, Amigo