Some questions!

[soil]

Hi All,

I have a few questions i was hoping to get answered. I have read through a ton of posts but haven't found these specific questions.

We are applying for my wife on a spousal application, she is american citizen from puerto rico.

1) We would like her to come to canada and live with me and study english while we are waiting for the application to go through, is it possible to get a student visa for more than 6 months to study english?

2) Does anyone have any experiences or advice on whether it's easier to drive over the border or fly over based on allowing her to visit and not refusing her at the border?

3) Since our Visa office will be Buffalo, what kind of application are they looking for? I read on here that different visa offices like different types of application sizes etc. Can anyone comment on Buffalo?

Thanks everyone for the help!

 

[Material]

Hi All,

I have a few questions i was hoping to get answered. I have read through a ton of posts but haven't found these specific questions.

We are applying for my wife on a spousal application, she is american citizen from puerto rico.

1) We would like her to come to canada and live with me and study english while we are waiting for the application to go through, is it possible to get a student visa for more than 6 months to study english?

2) Does anyone have any experiences or advice on whether it's easier to drive over the border or fly over based on allowing her to visit and not refusing her at the border?

3) Since our Visa office will be Buffalo, what kind of application are they looking for? I read on here that different visa offices like different types of application sizes etc. Can anyone comment on Buffalo?

Thanks everyone for the help!

Maybe the following thread might help :

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/thread-for-outland-buffalo-applicants-t41886.0.html

Maybe I can help with question 1 .if your wife can apply for a study permit while having an outland app in process:

Your wife cant study in Canada unless she is granted a study permit.she can either apply before or after she is in Canada.also put in mind that she would be treated as an international student and it would be costly.

Check this link out:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/menu-immigrate.asp

 

[solosunseeker]

And there are free english classes avalible after she is a PR. (LINC)

 

[FleetingDasein]

Hey Soil,

I couldn't reply to your pm because your inbox is full. Here's my reply:

We applied as common-law. I don't think getting married in PR would complicate things; you'll be fine as long as you have a valid English/Spanish marriage certificate.

No idea about the extension. I did both my undergrad and masters degree in Canada, so I never required one. I think it would be easier to drive to the border every six months. CIC can be really slow when it comes to processing visa extensions. If your girlfriend is planning on studying ESL, she could apply for a student visa. It depends on the length of the program.... Anything over 3 months, I believe, requires a student visa. I'm an ESL teacher, so if you live in the GTA area, I could recommend some really wonderful schools.

Flying/driving makes absolutely no difference when it comes to crossing the border. Since she's from a visa exempt country, she'll have no trouble getting into Canada. Just make sure she can justify her long stay. Tell her to bring bank statements, proof of relationship, etc. The immigration agents at the border are looking for proof that she can support herself while she is in Canada. The main issue when crossing the border is that they usually don't believe you when you tell them you'll be in Canada for six months without working. Entering the country with a round-trip ticket would definitely make things easier. Long stays with a one-way ticket always raise a raise flag... So either tell them you are staying for a short time and then stay for the allowed six months, or tell the truth and expect to be stopped and interrogated. As others have mentioned, the easiest route is to get a student visa.

As for Buffalo, just make sure to include plenty of proof. Pictures, emails, stamped passports, letters from family and friends, etc.

Good luck!

 

[soil]

Thanks everyone for the help so far!!!! I really appreciate it

The idea is for her to live with me while studying english, so she wouldnt need that much money to support herself because she wont have to pay any accomodations.


I read this on the CIC site (would I still need to get her a student visa or can she say she is coming to study for less than 6 months?):

cic.gc.ca/english/study/study-who.asp
Exceptions

In some cases, you do not require a study permit to go to school in Canada.

If you wish to study in a short-term course or program
You do not need a study permit if you plan to take a course or program in Canada that lasts six months or less. You must complete the course or program within the period authorized for your stay in Canada.

Actually I live in Vancouver...I know there are many language schools here but i'm not sure if you know which ones are good?

 

[FleetingDasein]

Thanks everyone for the help so far!!!! I really appreciate it

The idea is for her to live with me while studying english, so she wouldnt need that much money to support herself because she wont have to pay any accomodations.

That's what I said whenever I re-entered Canada, and they still harassed me a few occasions. By harassed, I mean that they take into into a little room and interrogate you, threaten you, etc. It's a very unpleasant experience. I'd suggest carrying bank statements just to be on the safe side. I guess it depends on which airport you enter. I've had some really bad experiences in Calgary, but almost no problems entering through Pearson.

As for ESL, I can't speak for schools in Vancouver, but most ESL programs in Toronto vary in length. She will have to take an English placement exam to determine her level of English competence. At my school, each level is roughly 2 months. The are only 8 levels, so if you start at level 1, it would take over a year to finish the IEP course. Since she's from PR, I doubt she'll be placed in a lower level. I'm sure she could finish a course in under 6 months. Try to stay away from big name schools like Berlitz. University and community college IEP (Intensive English Program) are preferable.

I didn't have to translate any documents from Spanish to English. Birth/Police certificates in PR are in English/Spanish.