Spousal Sponsorship outside of CA

[Roxana261]

Hi there,

My boyfriend (Canadian) and me (German) are going to apply for PR so that I can stay with him in Canada. He's going to sponsor me. We'll marry some time in March 2015. After we got all the documents (including the certification of marriage), we will send our application to CIC.

My questions are how long I have to wait till I can enter Canada? Do I have to wait till he gets his approval as a sponsor? Or do I have to wait till I get my approval from the Austrian office, which would take now approx. 1.5 year...
Should I apply for an open work permit or can I do it if I'm already in Canada?

I appreciate any help and answers! Thank you so much.
Cheers

 

[rhcohen2014]

you can enter canada anytime. you don't have to wait for your application to be submitted or hear from CIC. if you are visa exempt, you can travel to canada and enter at anytime. if you require a visa, then it will be difficult (not impossible) to get one after getting married. what's important to remember is the language you use and to show ties to your home country (housing/employment). you are a "visitor" and always will be until you are approved for pr. you are not "moving" or "living" there, you are "Visiting".

if your application is in vienna, double check the processing time on this forum in the thread specific to that office. most, if not all, visa offices process applications faster than what is written online. the stats online are worst case scenarios and don't represent what real applicants experience today.

if you are applying outland, then you are not eligible for a work permit. you will be a visitor until your applicaiton is approved, and you are not allowed to work in canada until that time.

 

[blueangel371115]

However, don't let that push you into applying inland either as stage one is 17 months where in outland you could possibly be complete. Check the Vienna thread on here ( I believe there is one) and the processing times on the website.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Should I apply for an open work permit or can I do it if I'm already in Canada?

Hi

Have a look at the German IEC program. It should be re-opening in the next few months and will allow you (if you meet the requirements) to get a one year open work permit.

This would be completely separate from the PR app and there is no issue applying for both.

 

[Roxana261]

Thanks guys for your response!

I already had the IEC program (2013/2014) and I think I'm not allowed to apply for another year!?!

It would be so unlucky if I remain as a visitor till I get approved. As Germans don't need a visa to travel to CA, I can enter anytime I guess. But that means also that I can only visit my bf/husband for a short time like a few weeks for vacation, am I right?
That would drive me crazy...

Thanks again and I hope it doesn't take to long the whole application process.

 

[rhcohen2014]

As Germans don't need a visa to travel to CA, I can enter anytime I guess. But that means also that I can only visit my bf/husband for a short time like a few weeks for vacation, am I right?
That would drive me crazy...

no that's not true at all. visa exempt applicants are allowed to enter for 6 months. you can ask to stay for any duration of time up to 6 months. once you are in, and it's close to th expiry of your stay, you can then apply to extend your stay as a visitor, and request 12+ months. this is a very common practice for PR applicants.

 

[blueangel371115]

I agree, just make sure you have enough money to support yourself while there, so they won't think you'll sign up for welfare and that you know the rules. No working, no school etc. (unless you've obtained additional visas to do so. Which are next to impossible to get). Also, that you have strong ties to your home country so you aren't an overstay risk ( job, housing, etc.) . I spent the majority of the last three years here though I had to come and go every month for doctors appointments during my pregnancy and before. But I was never guaranteed reentry so I was lucky. After a while they were kind of pushy as to when I was filing for my PR so I paid the fees right before I sent it and brought my receipt. After I got SA, they gave me a yr.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Thanks guys for your response!

I already had the IEC program (2013/2014) and I think I'm not allowed to apply for another year!?!

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/iec/index.asp?country=de&cat=wh

Determine your eligibility

Note: As a German citizen you may participate in IEC twice. You must choose a different category each time.

So if you qualify under the Young Professionals, you can apply again.

 

[Roxana261]

no that's not true at all. visa exempt applicants are allowed to enter for 6 months. you can ask to stay for any duration of time up to 6 months. once you are in, and it's close to th expiry of your stay, you can then apply to extend your stay as a visitor, and request 12+ months. this is a very common practice for PR applicants.

Yes, you are right. I forgot to mention that, that I can stay up to 6 months...
Is there a difference between the tourist visa and the visitor visa? Or is it the same? I'm a bit confused as I read that the tourist visa is only for tourists who want to travel through Canada and not stay up to 6 months at the same place... Would this 'visitor visa' allow to stay at the same place for a longer time?


@canuck_in_uk
I guess not that I don't qualify to apply under Young Professionals. But I'll double check this... Thank you.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Is there a difference between the tourist visa and the visitor visa? Or is it the same? I'm a bit confused as I read that the tourist visa is only for tourists who want to travel through Canada and not stay up to 6 months at the same place... Would this 'visitor visa' allow to stay at the same place for a longer time?

A tourist visa is the same thing as a visitor visa; the formal name is a Temporary Resident Visa or TRV. A TRV is needed for some nationalities (not German) to travel to Canada. Upon arrival in Canada, both visa-exempt and non visa-exempt visitors are granted visitor status. Visitor status is an entirely different thing from a visitor visa.

There are no travel restrictions within Canada for a visitor.