how long can a friend stay in canada

[Dustyrose]

i have a friend from puerto rico that wants to come to canada, i have a place for him to stay, with me, how long can he stay and when would he be able to find work ..

would it be easier if we got married as we met last year & have been keeping in touch by skype and another website, also i am going out to see him in april of this year.. for 2 weeks

what can i do ?

 

[Leon]

The immigration officer will decide when he arrives how long he can stay. If they don't specify, it is 6 months but they can also specify less time than 6 months.

As a visitor, he is not allowed to work. If he finds an employer who wants to hire him, the employer needs to apply for a Labour Market Opinion from Service Canada and if he gets it, then he can apply for a work permit.

If you want to sponsor him for PR, you have to be a citizen or PR yourself and you must either have lived together for 12 months or more or be married. As a sponsor, you will be financially responsible for him for 3 years after he lands as a PR. If he goes on welfare or disability during that time, you will have to pay it back.

 

[Dustyrose]

Thank you Leon very much