Hi everyone!
Here's our story so far....
My finance is German and I'm Canadian. We met online gaming approx 1.5 years ago and became good friends right away. Not long after we realised we were crazy about each other and started a long distance relationship. He arrived in Canada at the beginning of July 2014. He can stay up to 6 months without needing a visa as he's from a visa exempt country. Now that we've met in the 'real world' and have lived together for 4 months we're sure we want to stay together and build a life here in Canada. We've been together for almost a year; engaged for a few months.
We've been reading the immigration website and the forums and everything is so overwhelming. We have more questions than anything! We're looking for some help, advice, guidance.... anything to help us sort through this.
Right now we're trying to figure out the best way to apply for him to stay. We're thinking of applying for common-law sponsorship but it seems like he may be able to stay under a couple of different ways:
- Extending his 'visa' long enough that we qualify for common-law sponsorship.
- Trying to find a company who could hire him using the LMIA so he can get a work visa and stay. (We're not even sure if this a real option if you're already here or if it would work for any job. He's not a skilled or trade worker.)
Ideally it would be great if he could work. He is ready, willing and able to do so but of course we want to make sure we do everything the right way so as to not jeopardize his immigration. I own my own business (clothing designer/seamstress) and also work part time outside the home. I don't make a lot of money but I do make enough to support us until he can work.
He has 2 months left on his 'visa'.
Here's our questions so far:
- If we apply for an extension can we say it's because we're going for common-law status? Is that a legit reason for an extension?
- If he gets an extension can we look for work for him and also get a work visa along the way using the LMIA? Or if, once started down the common-law path, do we have to wait until we get his application in and approved up to the point where he gets an open work visa?
Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to read/post/help. It is greatly appreciated.
Private messages are welcome. Heck even if you're local (London, ON) we'd love to meet other people who've gone through this, especially local Germans!
Here's our story so far....
My finance is German and I'm Canadian. We met online gaming approx 1.5 years ago and became good friends right away. Not long after we realised we were crazy about each other and started a long distance relationship. He arrived in Canada at the beginning of July 2014. He can stay up to 6 months without needing a visa as he's from a visa exempt country. Now that we've met in the 'real world' and have lived together for 4 months we're sure we want to stay together and build a life here in Canada. We've been together for almost a year; engaged for a few months.
We've been reading the immigration website and the forums and everything is so overwhelming. We have more questions than anything! We're looking for some help, advice, guidance.... anything to help us sort through this.
Right now we're trying to figure out the best way to apply for him to stay. We're thinking of applying for common-law sponsorship but it seems like he may be able to stay under a couple of different ways:
- Extending his 'visa' long enough that we qualify for common-law sponsorship.
- Trying to find a company who could hire him using the LMIA so he can get a work visa and stay. (We're not even sure if this a real option if you're already here or if it would work for any job. He's not a skilled or trade worker.)
Ideally it would be great if he could work. He is ready, willing and able to do so but of course we want to make sure we do everything the right way so as to not jeopardize his immigration. I own my own business (clothing designer/seamstress) and also work part time outside the home. I don't make a lot of money but I do make enough to support us until he can work.
He has 2 months left on his 'visa'.
Here's our questions so far:
- If we apply for an extension can we say it's because we're going for common-law status? Is that a legit reason for an extension?
- If he gets an extension can we look for work for him and also get a work visa along the way using the LMIA? Or if, once started down the common-law path, do we have to wait until we get his application in and approved up to the point where he gets an open work visa?
Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to read/post/help. It is greatly appreciated.
Private messages are welcome. Heck even if you're local (London, ON) we'd love to meet other people who've gone through this, especially local Germans!