Fastest path to an move+open work permit in Quebec? QSW/Sponsorship/federal express. And a bit more...

[Eyal]

Hi everybody
I'm thinking of moving to Quebec (along with my girlfriend, who is originally from there and is able to sponsor me), and I'm a bit lost in information...
I'd like to arrive to Canada and start working as soon as I can, and was wondering what is the best way to do this.

I should be eligble for both QSW (Based on the selection grid) and overland common-law spousal sponsorship, and wanted to know-
- Can I apply to an open work permit with either of them? what is a reasonable time frame to get it? is 6 months from the moment of application overly optimistic?
- Can I apply for both QSW and sponsorship in the same time?
- Can I enter and stay in Canada during the waiting period? (I come from a visa-free country) Can I come and go freely?
- Can I take the free french courses offered for immigrants before the processing time is over? or even pay for them myself and get reimbursed later?
- Can I start PhD studies before the application is over?

I'm not expecting 100% certain answers, would love to hear from your experience.
Thanks very for any help.

Eyal

 

[scylla]

Hi everybody
I'm thinking of moving to Quebec (along with my girlfriend, who is originally from there and is able to sponsor me), and I'm a bit lost in information...
I'd like to arrive to Canada and start working as soon as I can, and was wondering what is the best way to do this.

I should be eligble for both QSW (Based on the selection grid) and overland common-law spousal sponsorship, and wanted to know-
- Can I apply to an open work permit with either of them? what is a reasonable time frame to get it? is 6 months from the moment of application overly optimistic?
- Can I apply for both QSW and sponsorship in the same time?
- Can I enter and stay in Canada during the waiting period? (I come from a visa-free country) Can I come and go freely?
- Can I take the free french courses offered for immigrants before the processing time is over? or even pay for them myself and get reimbursed later?
- Can I start PhD studies before the application is over?

I'm not expecting 100% certain answers, would love to hear from your experience.
Thanks very for any help.

Eyal

- Normally 4-5 months if you apply through inland spousal sponsorship but likely longer now due to COVID-19 and everything slowing down. Don't know about QSW
- Yes, you can apply for both at the same time.
- If you apply for spousal sponsorship, you are required to be physically in Canada at the time you apply and must continue to live in Canada while the application is being processed. Short trips outside of Canada are OK but you don't want to make them too often since you must be living with your partner to qualify through this immigration stream (you don't want IRCC to say you are no longer living in Canada or spending too much time apart). Also, re-entery into Canada is never guaranteed even for those who are visa exempt. Entry is a privilege and not a right.
- To the best of my knowledge, no you cannot. These are only open to PRs.
- You need a study permit if you want to start studying before you have PR.

 

[Eyal]

- Normally 4-5 months if you apply through inland spousal sponsorship but likely longer now due to COVID-19 and everything slowing down. Don't know about QSW
- Yes, you can apply for both at the same time.
- If you apply for spousal sponsorship, you are required to be physically in Canada at the time you apply and must continue to live in Canada while the application is being processed. Short trips outside of Canada are OK but you don't want to make them too often since you must be living with your partner to qualify through this immigration stream (you don't want IRCC to say you are no longer living in Canada or spending too much time apart). Also, re-entery into Canada is never guaranteed even for those who are visa exempt. Entry is a privilege and not a right.
- To the best of my knowledge, no you cannot. These are only open to PRs.
- You need a study permit if you want to start studying before you have PR.

Thank you very much, this really helps a lot.
Just one thing that I'm still not sure about - you talked only about inland sponsorship.
If we apply right now from the country we're living in at the moment, Would it be possible to obtain a work permit closer to arrival? Will I even be allowed to enter Canada before the request is processed?
Also - I assume its possible to ask for a study permit while in Canada, during the processing time. is that correct, or I have to do it in advance?
Thanks again!

 

[scylla]

Thank you very much, this really helps a lot.
Just one thing that I'm still not sure about - you talked only about inland sponsorship.
If we apply right now from the country we're living in at the moment, Would it be possible to obtain a work permit closer to arrival? Will I even be allowed to enter Canada before the request is processed?
Also - I assume its possible to ask for a study permit while in Canada, during the processing time. is that correct, or I have to do it in advance?
Thanks again!

No for your first question. An open work permit with spousal sponsorship is only granted if you apply inland. Inland requires both of you to be physically in Canada at the time you submit the spousal sponsorship application. If you apply outland / from oustide of Canada, then no open work permit is possible, even if you come to Canada later.

Yes you can apply for a study permit while in Canada but the application must be processed through a visa office outside of Canada.

 

[Eyal]

I (finally) understand, after many hours of diving into the official immigration agencies websites...
I can't thank you enough!

(And if someone who passes by this thread knows a bit more about QSW processing times and at which point can one move to Canada & start working, that would be great)

Eyal