Canadian Student Visa For American Citizen + Spouse Work Visa For Iranian Citizen

[persianvegan]

Hi everyone!

I'm not sure if this question has been asked before- I apologize if it has. I am an American born citizen of Iranian descent and a student at UC Berkeley in California. I am married to an Iranian citizen who resides in Iran. We can not live together unfortunately due to the Muslim Ban Immigration in America. Though I could move to Iran, I haven't because I did not want to derail my studies. I want to apply to grad school in Canada. I do have family there who are citizens though I do not plan on living with them. If I am accepted into a Canadian university, Is it possible to obtain a spousal open work visa for my husband though we are married but have not been physically able to live together? I see that Canada lists "immigration barrier" as a reason for not being able to live together, however, that only applies to a Canadian citizen applying for a conjugal partner. I am considering moving to Iran for a year as proof that we have lived together for 12 months if necessary. My husband and I would ultimately like to become Canadian citizens and I want to become a professor at a university in Canada after earning my Ph.D. in Canada.

Thank you all so much! I appreciate it

 

[scylla]

Hi everyone!

I'm not sure if this question has been asked before- I apologize if it has. I am an American born citizen of Iranian descent and a student at UC Berkeley in California. I am married to an Iranian citizen who resides in Iran. We can not live together unfortunately due to the Muslim Ban Immigration in America. Though I could move to Iran, I haven't because I did not want to derail my studies. I want to apply to grad school in Canada. I do have family there who are citizens though I do not plan on living with them. If I am accepted into a Canadian university, Is it possible to obtain a spousal open work visa for my husband though we are married but have not been physically able to live together? I see that Canada lists "immigration barrier" as a reason for not being able to live together, however, that only applies to a Canadian citizen applying for a conjugal partner. I am considering moving to Iran for a year as proof that we have lived together for 12 months if necessary. My husband and I would ultimately like to become Canadian citizens and I want to become a professor at a university in Canada after earning my Ph.D. in Canada.

Thank you all so much! I appreciate it

If you are married, there is no requirement for you to live together for 12 months in order for Canada to recognize your marriage. While you have not lived together, I'm assuming you have spent a fair amount of time together in person.

The short answer to your question is that your husband will certainly qualify to apply for a spousal open work permit based on your study permit. However whether the SOWP is approved is a different matter. To be approved for the SOWP, your husband will need to show that he has strong ties to his home country (e.g. employment, property, assets) and has no plans on remaining in Canada long term. It's really not possible for any of us to say if the SOWP will be approved or not. You would have to give it a shot and hope for the best.

Note that teaching positions at Canadian universities tend to be pretty difficult to secure. Make sure you also do some research around that if your priority is to be able to teach. You'll also want to make sure you pick a top Canadian university for your studies in your field.

Good luck.