Questions about Sponsoring my South African boyfriend when we get married

[huskylover]

Hi,
My boyfriend is coming here in a couple weeks to work as a TFW until sometime in October then he is going to apply to extend his stay as a visitor. We are planning on getting married this year. I am wondering if we can get married in South Africa in December and then he can still come back here after the wedding on the same visitors visa or does he have to get another one? Also I read somewhere before that if we get married he can work here after 4 months? Is that right. Can he stay here while he is waiting for PR? Thanks!

 

[canadianwoman]

If his visitor visa is multiple entry, he can come back in on it. If it is single entry, he will have to apply for a new one.

If you apply to sponsor him inland, he can apply for an open work permit. This will be received about 4 or 5 months after sending in the application. If you sponsor him outland, there is no work permit, but outland is generally much faster. With an inland application, you and he have to be living together in Canada, and he is advised not to leave Canada for the duration of the processing, which might be two years. With outland, he can stay in Canada as a visitor (as long as he has a visitor visa).

 

[huskylover]

Thank you canadianwoman for your help. As it is now he does not qualify for an open work permit because he is not a skilled worker. Is there an exception to the qualifications needed to get an open work permit when you are being sponsored by someone?

 

[Ponga]

The OWP that is available for Inland applicants is automatically approved, IF:

1. The applicant has legal status in Canada

2. An Inland application has been received by CIC. Even before CIC has even started to work on the application, the OWP begins processing.