Correct me if this is wrong but...

[Dannyem]

Okay, so here is everything that I have gathered from reading results from the search. I'd really love if some kind person would tell me if I have it all correct, because it can be quite confusing.

I'm sponsoring my Japanese girlfriend under common-law

1) If we apply inland, my gf can also apply for a open work permit. This both allows her to stay in the country until AIP, and work once AIP is granted.

2) Inland applications are very very slow, and if they get routed to a local office the wait can be agonizingly long until the hearing. It would be impossible for my gf to work until the local office got around to dealing with her file and giving her AIP.

3) Outland is a lot faster, as the international offices work faster than the Canadian ones, as there is not as much back-log of files. The whole process could take as long as the AIP. However I get no open work visa possibility, and if an interview is required, we have to go to Tokyo.

4) My gf could remain with me in Canada during a outbound application, she would just have to renew her visitor visa, saying that she's planning to stay until her PR is worked out.

So is all of this correct? Here are a few questions that I really need answered. If someone would kindly help me out, I'd be really thankful.

1) For an outbound application, do I have to prove I can support her during the length of her stay? I'm a student and don't make a massive quantity of money, although I'm employed part time. If she had sufficient funds in her own bank account, would that matter?

2) If a interview was needed, would we BOTH have to go to Tokyo, or just her?

Thank you all so much,

 

[diddagirl]

Yes, to all of the above information that you have gathered. The only thing that I might add is, that although there is no open work permit option under the outland application, you have a good chance of the entire application being completed before you would have even reached open work permit (AIP) status, therefore I wouldnt consider the lack of an open work permit a draw back of outland.

1) There is no income requirement for spousal sponsorship, so you dont have to prove that you have any amount of money. IF however, your spouse willl be applying for visitor visa extensions while in Canada, then you would want to send in proof of the sponsorship application, along with proof of financial support (whether it be her own money, or yours), so that immigration feels confident that she will not engage in any illegal work while waiting for PR, and will be more than likely to grant the visa extension. Hope that makes sense!

2)As far as I know, it should just be the applicant that is required for the interview, however there have been cases I have seen where they request both sponsor and applicant to be there, so you may want to be prepared for that.

 

[RobsLuv]

Ditto diddagirl. I agree 100%