Chances of a successfull immigration while being young / without a strong - prominent background

[estavez289]

Hello everyone!
So im going to approach this thread with full honesty and im going to tell you all about my self / current situation and future goals so you can later on access me and my competence on what are my chances are for a successfull immigration to Canada.

I'm a 20 year old native Tunisian citizen, i currently go to college and im taking a cinematograpgy / camera operator course and im going to graduate this June, but the thing is, i really dont want to continue and proceed with my career here in my homecountry because of my whole different perspective that i have towards everything that i can't share and find common grounds with anyone around here but few, plus having a westernized mindset that makes it even more difficult to blend in with the norm here, but it has its pros where i can easily get along with any person coming from another country especially if they're a native english speaker. This whole thing is serving as an absolute obstacle thats stopping me from growing and lead a regular fullfilling life doing the things i love. And here we come to me wanting to emigrate to Canada, immigration to Canada here always been the privelege made for privileged people who hold a high ranking job such as doctors, lawyers, buisnessmen, engineers, etc..

But normal working class people have a slim chance for a successful immigration. And me, i come from a normal working class family with nothing really special going on, except for one thing, me having a girlfriend from canada who encouraged me even more on this whole immigration process, we could marry each other, have her sponsor me, but that could raise some red flags when applying because of our young age, diffrent backgrounds, and suspicion of "fraud" just to gain canadian status, its really sad because our relationship is actually 100% genuine, i know this might be hard to believe because, well, most of it was long distance; we dated for nearly 3 years, visited each other only once (previous summer), and we're going to meet for the second time this february, but, this hasnt stopped us from communicating everyday and get our feelings to grow stronger for each other as time passes. And here i thought about the conjugal sponsorship program, where the obstacle we're facing for getting us reunite is our different backgrounds / cultures / religions / strict parents (from her side) / financial issues (i dont know if this is a plus or a minus). But yeah, this is the only option that i can see some hope in, are there any options that i dont know about, do i qualify for things that i dont know about ?

Any kind of positive contribution to this thread will be greatly appreciated, thank you so much for reading!

 

[EstherBarros]

Hi,

From what you shared, yes, your girlfriend can marry you then sponsor you to become a Permanent Resident of Canada. As long as you can prove your relationship is genuine, you should be able to get her to sponsor you after you get married. They will, of course, analyze all of the documentation you send to ensure this is not a marriage of convenience. Many people go through this process.

As for other options: you can pay to come to Canada as as student, in a course recognized by the government which will allow you to apply for a work permit after you graduate. After that, you can enter programs such as Express Entry and be invited to apply to become a permanent resident. This is obviously not cheap, as you will be paying international fees, and you have to submit proof that you can afford to support yourself while studying on top of tuition fees.

 

[estavez289]

International student program is not possible for me because of the expensive finances, and wouldnt the VO doubt my relationship because of the drawbacks such as young age / different culture - background etc.. ? or i can actually convince them otherwise somehow ?

 

[bellaluna]

International student program is not possible for me because of the expensive finances, and wouldnt the VO doubt my relationship because of the drawbacks such as young age / different culture - background etc.. ? or i can actually convince them otherwise somehow ?

Length of relationship will certainly be looked at. Think of other ways to prove that the relationship or marriage will be genuine.

Of course (economic) immigration is a privilege to those who earned degrees and work experience. I would wager it’s almost impossible to find a 20-year-old who immigrated through Express Entry, because it takes years to earn favorable points in that system. If you don’t want to do the hard work and spend the time and effort to earn such a privilege, that avenue of immigration will be closed to you.

Either work on your relationship or work on your professional credentials.

 

[EstherBarros]

International student program is not possible for me because of the expensive finances, and wouldnt the VO doubt my relationship because of the drawbacks such as young age / different culture - background etc.. ? or i can actually convince them otherwise somehow ?

Is you relationship genuine? If so, and you have proof to support that it is (pictures, chat logs, letters from family members from both sides about the relationship, and basically anything you can gather that proves you have been in a relationship for years), then you should be able to be sponsored by your girlfriend (provided the two of you get married, or cohabit as common-law for 12 months). The fact that you are young doesn't really matter, people get married young all the time. The sponsorship program exists precisely so people from 2 different cultures and backgrounds can be together as a family, so that is not an issue. Again, if the relationship is genuine and you are getting married to start a family and be with your significant other, then there should be no problems. They will of course evaluate the case using the proof you provide, but ultimately, if it is genuine, you should be able to be sponsored.

 

[estavez289]

Is you relationship genuine? If so, and you have proof to support that it is (pictures, chat logs, letters from family members from both sides about the relationship, and basically anything you can gather that proves you have been in a relationship for years), then you should be able to be sponsored by your girlfriend (provided the two of you get married, or cohabit as common-law for 12 months). The fact that you are young doesn't really matter, people get married young all the time. The sponsorship program exists precisely so people from 2 different cultures and backgrounds can be together as a family, so that is not an issue. Again, if the relationship is genuine and you are getting married to start a family and be with your significant other, then there should be no problems. They will of course evaluate the case using the proof you provide, but ultimately, if it is genuine, you should be able to be sponsored.

It is 100% genuine yes, just that other people overwhelmed me with negativity and implied that are my chances are so low and many factors such as age and different race / religion/ culture might make the vo refuse my application, but yeah i get it, if its truly genuine ( which it is) i can easily convince them using the right procedure

 

[canuck78]

How old is you gf? Can she show that you can support yourselves?

 

[estavez289]

How old is you gf? Can she show that you can support yourselves?

we're both 20, and yeah we can, she has 2 part time jobs, im still a student but i do freelance work sometimes

 

[canuck78]

we're both 20, and yeah we can, she has 2 part time jobs, im still a student but i do freelance work sometimes

Hard to say if that would be enough to support 2 people.

 

[EstherBarros]

Hard to say if that would be enough to support 2 people.

Yes, but as @andy.keeling said above, spousal sponsorships are exempt from LICO!

 

[canuck78]

Yes, but as @andy.keeling said above, spousal sponsorships are exempt from LICO!

But you still have to show you can support yourselves without government help.

 

[EstherBarros]

Yes, show, but there are not requirements specifically. Basically, if you are not using social assistance yourself, you should be fine to sign the undertaking. They are basically becoming financially liable for the person they are sponsoring, so IRCC suggests caution, but at the end of the day the person makes the choice. I was sponsored by my husband, and he was actually unemployed at the time of the application, doing labour ready jobs here and there.

Here is IRCC on it:

"What it means to sponsor someone
When you agree to sponsor, you sign an undertaking, promising to give financial support for the basic needs of the people you’re sponsoring, and any of their dependent children.

Basic needs include:

• food, clothing, shelter and other needs for everyday living
• dental care, eye care and other health needs not covered by public health services

Before signing the undertaking agreement, you should make sure that those you sponsor won’t need to ask the government for financial help. If they receive social assistance, you’ll need to pay back what they received. You won’t be able to sponsor anyone else until you have repaid the amount.

The undertaking is a binding promise of support, meaning that it is your responsibility to support the applicant(s) for the length of the undertaking period even if your situation changes. For example, the undertaking won’t be cancelled even if:

• the person you are sponsoring becomes a Canadian citizen
• you become divorced, separated or your relationship with the sponsored person breaks down
• you or the person you sponsor moves to another province or country
• you have financial problems

The length of time you are legally responsible for the person you sponsor varies based on the type of family member you are sponsoring, and is either 3 or 10 years for non-residents of Quebec. Quebec has different undertaking length.

Please see the Complete Guide for details on the length of the undertaking."

 

[canuck78]

Yes, show, but there are not requirements specifically. Basically, if you are not using social assistance yourself, you should be fine to sign the undertaking. They are basically becoming financially liable for the person they are sponsoring, so IRCC suggests caution, but at the end of the day the person makes the choice. I was sponsored by my husband, and he was actually unemployed at the time of the application, doing labour ready jobs here and there.

Here is IRCC on it:

"What it means to sponsor someone
When you agree to sponsor, you sign an undertaking, promising to give financial support for the basic needs of the people you’re sponsoring, and any of their dependent children.

Basic needs include:

• food, clothing, shelter and other needs for everyday living
• dental care, eye care and other health needs not covered by public health services

Before signing the undertaking agreement, you should make sure that those you sponsor won’t need to ask the government for financial help. If they receive social assistance, you’ll need to pay back what they received. You won’t be able to sponsor anyone else until you have repaid the amount.

The undertaking is a binding promise of support, meaning that it is your responsibility to support the applicant(s) for the length of the undertaking period even if your situation changes. For example, the undertaking won’t be cancelled even if:

• the person you are sponsoring becomes a Canadian citizen
• you become divorced, separated or your relationship with the sponsored person breaks down
• you or the person you sponsor moves to another province or country
• you have financial problems

The length of time you are legally responsible for the person you sponsor varies based on the type of family member you are sponsoring, and is either 3 or 10 years for non-residents of Quebec. Quebec has different undertaking length.

Please see the Complete Guide for details on the length of the undertaking."

We have seen CIC ask for more information or ask for proof of family financial support in Canada when they don't believe the couple has the means to support themselves.

 

[EstherBarros]

Yeah, totally! But the bar is pretty low, as I understand it!

 

[vensak]

ok your options.

If you are from Tunisia, there is a high chance that you speak French as well. If you want to use economic stream you will need:
app. 15-18k CAD from which some will fall on requested documentation.
You need to have a post secondary diploma (bachelor) from at least 3 years study program (to be recognized as such by one of Canada ECA companies).

You will need to have at least 1 year of work experience so that you can start your EE profile.

And if you are bilingual (English and French) for example Ontario or New Brunswick might be interested.

So to get all of that will take you few years (especially money). On a good note, you will get some work experience and also not much will be recognize you will still have a little bit easier time than just being fresh of the school.


Option to study was already mentioned here (which is much more expensive than what I have just described).

And then you have spousal sponsorship.
You will have to prove your relationship to be genuine. In your case it translates into things like photos, fb or skype chats (or instagram or whatever); visits, some time spent and things like that.

She has to be out of social benefits, but other than that she can be poor and poorly earning (or unemployed or a student).
She does not have to prove how she will support you (because of course it is counted that you will get work for yourself once in Canada).
But if you decide just to run away from her the moment you land and claim for social benefits during the first (3 years or 10 years - not sure), she has to repay that in full.

So sponsorship is much better for you and much more risky for her.

Now the reality that will hit you here. Without any finished post secondary education, you will hit a glass ceiling very fast (when climbing career ladder). So either you will manage to start / buy your own company or you will have to catch up later (which is not that cheap) or you will be just happy to stay on basic level positions.
So as long as you are aware of that, no problem.