Need help bringing my girlfriend back to Canada :)

[Calgaryzach]

Hey everyone,

I'm a bit confused and over whelmed with all the info on Canadian immigration, so I decided to make a new topic and hope that someone can help. I met my girlfriend while she was on a working holiday visa in Calgary, we lived together for 5 months and we're together for 10 months. She's now back in Taiwan working on getting her IELtS as she wants to study in Canada. However her English school is only ranking her around a 6.0 average and she fears that she won't pass. What are my options on bringing her back to Calgary? She's only been here once on a 1 year working holiday visa. We can't live without each other and are considering marriage, however don't know where to start. Is is best she comes on a visitor visa then we get married in Canada? Is she able to stay while the application processes? Or is it better to marry her in Taiwan (where she's a citizen) when I go visit her in March of 2016? I'm a Canadian citizen born In Canada if that helps.

Any info will be a blessing! Thanks so much in advance.

 

[Ineffable]

Hey everyone,

I'm a bit confused and over whelmed with all the info on Canadian immigration, so I decided to make a new topic and hope that someone can help. I met my girlfriend while she was on a working holiday visa in Calgary, we lived together for 5 months and we're together for 10 months. She's now back in Taiwan working on getting her IELtS as she wants to study in Canada. However her English school is only ranking her around a 6.0 average and she fears that she won't pass. What are my options on bringing her back to Calgary? She's only been here once on a 1 year working holiday visa. We can't live without each other and are considering marriage, however don't know where to start. Is is best she comes on a visitor visa then we get married in Canada? Is she able to stay while the application processes? Or is it better to marry her in Taiwan (where she's a citizen) when I go visit her in March of 2016? I'm a Canadian citizen born In Canada if that helps.

Any info will be a blessing! Thanks so much in advance.

Hey, Calgaryzach.

At this point, you don't qualify for a common law application, nor do you qualify for the married application. I know your predicament all too well. I had a similar one with my now wife.

Some possible paths to you two being together are such:

1. Get study visa for 1 year, then file as common law If your girlfriend gets into an English school program and has at least a 1 year study visa, you could both live together during that time. Common law applications require that the couple live together as if they were married, sharing bills, etc. During that time, you'd have to live under the same roof and accrue bank statements, a lease, shared utility bills, etc.—as many things as you can have both your names on that prove you're in a common law relationship. You'd need to be living together for 1 year with no breaks or gaps in your time apart. (I should note that if she got a study visa, she could live with you during that time regardless. I'm going to assume, however, that you want her to be your lifelong partner, which is why I recommend that you go ahead and set yourselves up for her spousal sponsorship by getting your affairs in order as you go along. Once her student visa expired, she would have to leave Canada.)

2. Get married. The other option is of course to get married. She can visit you in Canada and get married, though I'd likely not mention that specifically when she came through customs. I'd phrase her reason for visit as to "spend time with you." (Others can offer their 2 cents on this. It's certainly a matter of not misleading the agents but concurrently not keeping your GF from being rejected.) I believe there is paperwork that you can file for to enter the country to get married. Again, someone might know that form/process better than I. I came to Canada and got married without filing for it; I simply said that I was there to be with my fiancé.

You could also go to Taiwan and get married. I don't know the rules surrounding you entering into the country and getting married, however.

After you two were to get married, she can stay in Canada. There are two ways you could then file for her permanent residency.

Outland - allows your then wife (or common law partner if you went with option 1 after a year of living together) to be in Canada while your application is processed. For all intents and purposes, she would be visiting while her application was being processed. The turn around time is approximately 6-12 months. The application would start processing in Canada, but be sent to a visa office in your partner's home country for completion. Your wife/partner cannot work in Canada until her paperwork was approved. (If she was granted the ability to work thanks to a student visa or IEC, then that's another story. However, for most: you cannot work in Canada if you choose outland. Most of us choose this option, I think, because the times for PR approval are MUCH quicker than inland applications.

I currently am in Canada and have been for the last 7 months as a visitor while my application has been worked on "outside" of Canada. I cannot work, volunteer, etc., but my wife thankfully makes enough to support us both. I've gone a bit stir-crazy, but I'm grateful to be with her.

Inland - allows your wife or partner to be in Canada while the application is processed. She could then file for an Open Work Permit (OWP) at the time she submitted her Inland Application, which would likely be approved, allowing her to work approximately 4 months after you submitted the paperwork. The Application for Permanent Residency takes MUCH longer; times ranging for that are around 24 months, I believe. (Someone confirm or give a better estimate on inland times for me, please?) During this time, she would have implied status. She would not be able to leave Canada for any long length of time or risk her application being denied. Permanent Residency would be issued after the ~24 month waiting period, which would then allow her to have access to healthcare, etc. This takes longer, but would allow her to be with you while her application is processed AND work.

So,

Outland = can visit, cannot work, faster times, PR sooner.

Inland = implied status in Canada, can work with OWP, slower processing times, PR takes longer, no social benefits until PR is approved.

3. Work Visa - if your GF had some ability to get a work visa under the skilled workers program, an IEC visa, etc., then she would be able to be in Canada with you. You'd then want to either get married or go the common-law route and live together.


You can mix and match some of the options.

For example, if she got a student visa for 1 year, you could get married, apply outland, and have her PR done while she was still technically living with you in Canada.

She also could get a student visa for 1 year, you live together as a common-law couple, and then you could file for PR after that year.

You could get married, you do an inland application, and she works while you wait for her PR paperwork to be approved.

The most important thing I can stress is that IF you plan on marrying her or making her your common-law partner, you need to start collecting proof of your relationship now. Evidence is what the CIC looks for. That means communication when you're apart, pictures when you're together, photos of your wedding (should you have one), bills, etc. (if you choose the domestic route).

I hope this gives you some insight so you can make the choice that's best for you. Good luck!

 

[kiwi01]

Hey, Calgaryzach.

At this point, you don't qualify for a common law application, nor do you qualify for the married application. I know your predicament all too well. I had a similar one with my now wife.

Some possible paths to you two being together are such:

1. Get study visa for 1 year, then file as common law If your girlfriend gets into an English school program and has at least a 1 year study visa, you could both live together during that time. Common law applications require that the couple live together as if they were married, sharing bills, etc. During that time, you'd have to live under the same roof and accrue bank statements, a lease, shared utility bills, etc.—as many things as you can have both your names on that prove you're in a common law relationship. You'd need to be living together for 1 year with no breaks or gaps in your time apart. (I should note that if she got a study visa, she could live with you during that time regardless. I'm going to assume, however, that you want her to be your lifelong partner, which is why I recommend that you go ahead and set yourselves up for her spousal sponsorship by getting your affairs in order as you go along. Once her student visa expired, she would have to leave Canada.)

2. Get married. The other option is of course to get married. She can visit you in Canada and get married, though I'd likely not mention that specifically when she came through customs. I'd phrase her reason for visit as to "spend time with you." (Others can offer their 2 cents on this. It's certainly a matter of not misleading the agents but concurrently not keeping your GF from being rejected.) I believe there is paperwork that you can file for to enter the country to get married. Again, someone might know that form/process better than I. I came to Canada and got married without filing for it; I simply said that I was there to be with my fiancé.

You could also go to Taiwan and get married. I don't know the rules surrounding you entering into the country and getting married, however.

After you two were to get married, she can stay in Canada. There are two ways you could then file for her permanent residency.

Outland - allows your then wife (or common law partner if you went with option 1 after a year of living together) to be in Canada while your application is processed. For all intents and purposes, she would be visiting while her application was being processed. The turn around time is approximately 6-12 months. The application would start processing in Canada, but be sent to a visa office in your partner's home country for completion. Your wife/partner cannot work in Canada until her paperwork was approved. (If she was granted the ability to work thanks to a student visa or IEC, then that's another story. However, for most: you cannot work in Canada if you choose outland. Most of us choose this option, I think, because the times for PR approval are MUCH quicker than inland applications.

I currently am in Canada and have been for the last 7 months as a visitor while my application has been worked on "outside" of Canada. I cannot work, volunteer, etc., but my wife thankfully makes enough to support us both. I've gone a bit stir-crazy, but I'm grateful to be with her.

Inland - allows your wife or partner to be in Canada while the application is processed. She could then file for an Open Work Permit (OWP) at the time she submitted her Inland Application, which would likely be approved, allowing her to work approximately 4 months after you submitted the paperwork. The Application for Permanent Residency takes MUCH longer; times ranging for that are around 24 months, I believe. (Someone confirm or give a better estimate on inland times for me, please?) During this time, she would have implied status. She would not be able to leave Canada for any long length of time or risk her application being denied. Permanent Residency would be issued after the ~24 month waiting period, which would then allow her to have access to healthcare, etc. This takes longer, but would allow her to be with you while her application is processed AND work.

So,

Outland = can visit, cannot work, faster times, PR sooner.

Inland = implied status in Canada, can work with OWP, slower processing times, PR takes longer, no social benefits until PR is approved.

3. Work Visa - if your GF had some ability to get a work visa under the skilled workers program, an IEC visa, etc., then she would be able to be in Canada with you. You'd then want to either get married or go the common-law route and live together.


You can mix and match some of the options.

For example, if she got a student visa for 1 year, you could get married, apply outland, and have her PR done while she was still technically living with you in Canada.

She also could get a student visa for 1 year, you live together as a common-law couple, and then you could file for PR after that year.

You could get married, you do an inland application, and she works while you wait for her PR paperwork to be approved.

The most important thing I can stress is that IF you plan on marrying her or making her your common-law partner, you need to start collecting proof of your relationship now. Evidence is what the CIC looks for. That means communication when you're apart, pictures when you're together, photos of your wedding (should you have one), bills, etc. (if you choose the domestic route).

I hope this gives you some insight so you can make the choice that's best for you. Good luck!

Just a note, you are allowed to volunteer in certain not for profit organisations.

 

[Ineffable]

Just a note, you are allowed to volunteer in certain not for profit organisations.

Do you have that list? I wish I'd come across it sooner!

 

[kiwi01]

I'll try the official statement on the CIC website, but from memory some examples they give are being a big brother or sister (youth mentoring), volunteering on rape crisis phone line, soup kitchen etc. It's a very fine line but effectively it has to be a position that would not usually be paid for. People who volunteer in a soup kitchen for example are usually always volunteers. So you can't go volunteer in an office or by building someone a website for example.

 

[Calgaryzach]

Hey, Calgaryzach.

At this point, you don't qualify for a common law application, nor do you qualify for the married application. I know your predicament all too well. I had a similar one with my now wife.

Some possible paths to you two being together are such:

1. Get study visa for 1 year, then file as common law If your girlfriend gets into an English school program and has at least a 1 year study visa, you could both live together during that time. Common law applications require that the couple live together as if they were married, sharing bills, etc. During that time, you'd have to live under the same roof and accrue bank statements, a lease, shared utility bills, etc.—as many things as you can have both your names on that prove you're in a common law relationship. You'd need to be living together for 1 year with no breaks or gaps in your time apart. (I should note that if she got a study visa, she could live with you during that time regardless. I'm going to assume, however, that you want her to be your lifelong partner, which is why I recommend that you go ahead and set yourselves up for her spousal sponsorship by getting your affairs in order as you go along. Once her student visa expired, she would have to leave Canada.)

2. Get married. The other option is of course to get married. She can visit you in Canada and get married, though I'd likely not mention that specifically when she came through customs. I'd phrase her reason for visit as to "spend time with you." (Others can offer their 2 cents on this. It's certainly a matter of not misleading the agents but concurrently not keeping your GF from being rejected.) I believe there is paperwork that you can file for to enter the country to get married. Again, someone might know that form/process better than I. I came to Canada and got married without filing for it; I simply said that I was there to be with my fiancé.

You could also go to Taiwan and get married. I don't know the rules surrounding you entering into the country and getting married, however.

After you two were to get married, she can stay in Canada. There are two ways you could then file for her permanent residency.

Outland - allows your then wife (or common law partner if you went with option 1 after a year of living together) to be in Canada while your application is processed. For all intents and purposes, she would be visiting while her application was being processed. The turn around time is approximately 6-12 months. The application would start processing in Canada, but be sent to a visa office in your partner's home country for completion. Your wife/partner cannot work in Canada until her paperwork was approved. (If she was granted the ability to work thanks to a student visa or IEC, then that's another story. However, for most: you cannot work in Canada if you choose outland. Most of us choose this option, I think, because the times for PR approval are MUCH quicker than inland applications.

I currently am in Canada and have been for the last 7 months as a visitor while my application has been worked on "outside" of Canada. I cannot work, volunteer, etc., but my wife thankfully makes enough to support us both. I've gone a bit stir-crazy, but I'm grateful to be with her.

Inland - allows your wife or partner to be in Canada while the application is processed. She could then file for an Open Work Permit (OWP) at the time she submitted her Inland Application, which would likely be approved, allowing her to work approximately 4 months after you submitted the paperwork. The Application for Permanent Residency takes MUCH longer; times ranging for that are around 24 months, I believe. (Someone confirm or give a better estimate on inland times for me, please?) During this time, she would have implied status. She would not be able to leave Canada for any long length of time or risk her application being denied. Permanent Residency would be issued after the ~24 month waiting period, which would then allow her to have access to healthcare, etc. This takes longer, but would allow her to be with you while her application is processed AND work.

So,

Outland = can visit, cannot work, faster times, PR sooner.

Inland = implied status in Canada, can work with OWP, slower processing times, PR takes longer, no social benefits until PR is approved.

3. Work Visa - if your GF had some ability to get a work visa under the skilled workers program, an IEC visa, etc., then she would be able to be in Canada with you. You'd then want to either get married or go the common-law route and live together.


You can mix and match some of the options.

For example, if she got a student visa for 1 year, you could get married, apply outland, and have her PR done while she was still technically living with you in Canada.

She also could get a student visa for 1 year, you live together as a common-law couple, and then you could file for PR after that year.

You could get married, you do an inland application, and she works while you wait for her PR paperwork to be approved.

The most important thing I can stress is that IF you plan on marrying her or making her your common-law partner, you need to start collecting proof of your relationship now. Evidence is what the CIC looks for. That means communication when you're apart, pictures when you're together, photos of your wedding (should you have one), bills, etc. (if you choose the domestic route).

I hope this gives you some insight so you can make the choice that's best for you. Good luck!

YOU my friend are the man... Thanks so much for this detailed reply, was not expecting that at all. One question for you my friend.... If my girlfriend was not able to get a study visa because of her language score I just want to confirm a few things regarding marriage. If we got married in Canada your saying that she can stay until it processes however she cannot work or study. However if we apply outside of Canada (Taiwan) then she could visit anytime but still cant work or study, is this true. If she wants to work part time and study, is this possible with an inland or outbound application?

 

[Ineffable]

YOU my friend are the man... Thanks so much for this detailed reply, was not expecting that at all. One question for you my friend.... If my girlfriend was not able to get a study visa because of her language score I just want to confirm a few things regarding marriage. If we got married in Canada your saying that she can stay until it processes however she cannot work or study. However if we apply outside of Canada (Taiwan) then she could visit anytime but still cant work or study, is this true. If she wants to work part time and study, is this possible with an inland or outbound application?

You mean I'm the woman, and you're very welcome. This stuff can get very confusing.

If your GF cannot get a student visa due to her language scores, and you get married, she can:

-Come to Canada or remain in Canada (after your wedding) on a visitor's visa, and can apply for either the inland OR outland routes. You pick which you want based on what's best for you.

- She can stay in Taiwan and continue to work there, do an outland application, visit any time she wants (assuming her visitor's visa is approved), and then can land as a permanent resident once her application is approved roughly 6-12 months later.

-She can come to Canada (or remain in it post-wedding), apply Inland, include the Open Work Permit with the application, and can start work approximately 4 months later when the Open Work Permit is approved. She will not be eligible for health care, but she will have an implied status in Canada, and can gain employment. She is not recommended to leave the country while she waits, which can take around 2 years. (You can always purchase a private healthcare deal if you really needed it.)

-She can come to Canada (or remain in it), apply Outland, study only for the time her visitor visa is good for, but not be able to work or get free healthcare. (Canada requires that you get a study visa for programs that are more than 6 months long. They need proof that the program is beyond that length for them to issue it.) There's no ability to work when you do Outland. Again, doing Outland: She can remain in Canada even as long as she is on a visitor's visa. She can apply to extend that an additional 6 months assuming the outland application takes more than 6. (They usually do.)

Outland simply means that another country other than Canada is processing the application. The reason Inland takes so long is because Canadian Visa Offices have a significantly higher number of applications to go through than foreign Visa Offices. The fewer applications a Visa Office has to go through, the shorter the turnaround times.

-If she does inland, she MAY be able to work AND study; I genuinely am not certain as I'm doing outland. I would ask someone specifically on an Inland Applicants thread on here if you apply Inland whether or not you can study. My assumption is yes, but you'd pay international student tuition fees until her PR was approved almost 2 years later. If she applies for the OWP, she can work full or part time. Double check about doing INLAND and being able to study while waiting for her PR to be approved. I wish I had that answer for you. (You want to know if someone who applies Inland and has implied status can go to school here for more than 6 months and work part time. That's your question to ask.)

A few things to keep in the back of your mind:

- She'll have to do a medical examination that usually costs a few hundred dollars.

- The fees due to the CIC will be roughly $1100.

- She will have to acquire police certificates for the countries where she's lived for more than 6 months. They are only valid for 6 months in the country where she's currently living, and the others where she may have lived are valid as long as they were issued after she left that country. Those take some time to acquire depending on where all she's lived.

- You will need to include your marriage certificate, so keep in mind that can take up to 10 weeks to get post-wedding.

- This forum is gold. (Plus, I'm feeling extra benevolent today because my outland application for PR was approved today. I'm paying it forward above and beyond.)

 

[Calgaryzach]

You mean I'm the woman, and you're very welcome. This stuff can get very confusing.

If your GF cannot get a student visa due to her language scores, and you get married, she can:

-Come to Canada or remain in Canada (after your wedding) on a visitor's visa, and can apply for either the inland OR outland routes. You pick which you want based on what's best for you.

- She can stay in Taiwan and continue to work there, do an outland application, visit any time she wants (assuming her visitor's visa is approved), and then can land as a permanent resident once her application is approved roughly 6-12 months later.

-She can come to Canada (or remain in it post-wedding), apply Inland, include the Open Work Permit with the application, and can start work approximately 4 months later when the Open Work Permit is approved. She will not be eligible for health care, but she will have an implied status in Canada, and can gain employment. She is not recommended to leave the country while she waits, which can take around 2 years. (You can always purchase a private healthcare deal if you really needed it.)

-She can come to Canada (or remain in it), apply Outland, study only for the time her visitor visa is good for, but not be able to work or get free healthcare. (Canada requires that you get a study visa for programs that are more than 6 months long. They need proof that the program is beyond that length for them to issue it.) There's no ability to work when you do Outland. Again, doing Outland: She can remain in Canada even as long as she is on a visitor's visa. She can apply to extend that an additional 6 months assuming the outland application takes more than 6. (They usually do.)

Outland simply means that another country other than Canada is processing the application. The reason Inland takes so long is because Canadian Visa Offices have a significantly higher number of applications to go through than foreign Visa Offices. The fewer applications a Visa Office has to go through, the shorter the turnaround times.

-If she does inland, she MAY be able to work AND study; I genuinely am not certain as I'm doing outland. I would ask someone specifically on an Inland Applicants thread on here if you apply Inland whether or not you can study. My assumption is yes, but you'd pay international student tuition fees until her PR was approved almost 2 years later. If she applies for the OWP, she can work full or part time. Double check about doing INLAND and being able to study while waiting for her PR to be approved. I wish I had that answer for you. (You want to know if someone who applies Inland and has implied status can go to school here for more than 6 months and work part time. That's your question to ask.)

A few things to keep in the back of your mind:

- She'll have to do a medical examination that usually costs a few hundred dollars.

- The fees due to the CIC will be roughly $1100.

- She will have to acquire police certificates for the countries where she's lived for more than 6 months. They are only valid for 6 months in the country where she's currently living, and the others where she may have lived are valid as long as they were issued after she left that country. Those take some time to acquire depending on where all she's lived.

- You will need to include your marriage certificate, so keep in mind that can take up to 10 weeks to get post-wedding.

- This forum is gold. (Plus, I'm feeling extra benevolent today because my outland application for PR was approved today. I'm paying it forward above and beyond.)

CONGRATS on the Outland application! Thats wicked news I'll be paying it forward also, the information you are providing me is extremely helpful. I'm basically getting from all of this that her coming to Taiwan after I visit and getting married in Canada is the best solution... then she can at least work after applying for OWP. We have no issues with providing pictures, communication, living accommodations etc... We have lots of pictures together. Is OWP easy to get? And does it have any limitations in regards to the time its issued for? or how many hours she may work per week etc...?

 

[Ineffable]

CONGRATS on the Outland application! Thats wicked news I'll be paying it forward also, the information you are providing me is extremely helpful. I'm basically getting from all of this that her coming to Taiwan after I visit and getting married in Canada is the best solution... then she can at least work after applying for OWP. We have no issues with providing pictures, communication, living accommodations etc... We have lots of pictures together. Is OWP easy to get? And does it have any limitations in regards to the time its issued for? or how many hours she may work per week etc...?

The Open Work Permit could have restrictions, but it's not common as far as I know. She'd be able to apply and work for whomever for whatever hours she and her employer agree to. Most are approved for that OWP roughly 4 months after they send it in with the spousal, inland application.

Here's a bit more info on the CIC site on it: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/temp/work/admissibility/open.asp

Again, I'd definitely start posting in some of the Inland threads. They'll know way more than I will, but it sounds like your plan to have her visit, you guys get married, get together and send out your application, wait a few months to get the OWP, and go from there is a solid one.

 

[Calgaryzach]

The Open Work Permit could have restrictions, but it's not common as far as I know. She'd be able to apply and work for whomever for whatever hours she and her employer agree to. Most are approved for that OWP roughly 4 months after they send it in with the spousal, inland application.

Here's a bit more info on the CIC site on it:.ca/english/resources/tools/temp/work/admissibility/open.a

Again, I'd definitely start posting in some of the Inland threads. They'll know way more than I will, but it sounds like your plan to have her visit, you guys get married, get together and send out your application, wait a few months to get the OWP, and go from there is a solid one.

Thanks again for all the help we just have to decide what the best way to go is now.

 

[Ineffable]

Thanks again for all the help we just have to decide what the best way to go is now.

No problem! Good luck!

 

[mikeymyke]

I think if you applied inland, your spouse can take courses that will take 6 months or less to get a certificate. If it takes longer than 6 months to get a ceritficate or degree, she will have to get a study permit.

Honestly, I think it's best for her to apply outland, then apply for a visitor visa to Canada, and just remain in Canada until she gets her PR. She can always try for an extension should she not get PR before the visitor visa expires. By going outland, at least she will get her PR much more quickly than inland, then she won't have to pay international student tuition fees.

As for the OWP program, honestly I think it's better to get her PR in 6-8 months without working, than working in 4 months, but forced to remain in Canada for over 2 years and paying international rates on tuition.

 

[Aquakitty]

I agree, unless you are incredibly financially burdened or have reason to believe your spouse would have trouble getting in and out of Canada, outland is the way to go.

Getting this crap over with as soon as possible is a huge relief.

 

[Yurie27]

good day Ineffable

I took a look and i read all your positive advices and it was makes me feel happy and hoping that i could have friendly advice from you
I am Yurie ladyboy from cebu philippines. 1 year ago my boyfriend moved philippines to spend his life with me but after 11 months of living together we had problem from his work and he decided to go back canada and after a while he realized that we can have better life there. it's 4 months ago since he leaved philippines and i was very sad and frustrated coz i cant even go with him coz i was dinied when visitor visa first time applied.
i was interested about inland and outland?
my boyfriend he already applied sponsorship as conjugal partner and our application was submitted to CIC. my boyfriend he hired immigrant consultant and she is the one who did everything but i didnt know if inland or outland our application.

Ineffable do you think i have chances to get temporary residency permit while waiting my PR process?
and please advice me what im gonna to do my application letters that CIC will believe me.
i have no work in phillippines and i i tried to met CIC consultant hre in cebu and she said that i will be refuse again coz i no asset here in phillipines to prove to CIC that i will return my country. i would like to visit my boyfriend to spend time with him coz i was missing him so much all the time. please advice whats the good thing to me to do.
thank you so much and have a nice day

best regards
Yurie

 

[Ineffable]

I think if you applied inland, your spouse can take courses that will take 6 months or less to get a certificate. If it takes longer than 6 months to get a ceritficate or degree, she will have to get a study permit.

Honestly, I think it's best for her to apply outland, then apply for a visitor visa to Canada, and just remain in Canada until she gets her PR. She can always try for an extension should she not get PR before the visitor visa expires. By going outland, at least she will get her PR much more quickly than inland, then she won't have to pay international student tuition fees.

As for the OWP program, honestly I think it's better to get her PR in 6-8 months without working, than working in 4 months, but forced to remain in Canada for over 2 years and paying international rates on tuition.

I'd have to agree. Outland is and was my first choice.