Study Permit vs. Spousal PR Sponsorship — What’s the right sequence?

[gupta.arjun.rajendra@gmai]

Would appreciate guidance on the best path forward. Here’s my timeline for context:

• July 2023: Met my partner for the first time. We were not in a relationship/engaged at that time.
• Jan 2024: I was single and applied for PR.
• Oct 2024: Still single; considering marriage.
• Feb 2025: We got engaged.
• Dec 2025 (planned): Wedding.
• May 2026 (planned): She hopes to start university if admitted.

We’re trying to decide whether she should come to Canada on a study permit first, or whether we should proceed with spousal PR sponsorship first (estimated outland processing time is ~15 months).

Tuition Fee as international student is not a problem as she might get scholarship, as it will be a PHD program.

Questions:

1. Should she apply for a study permit first, or is it better to marry and start spousal sponsorship right away?
2. If a study permit is refused, could that negatively affect a future spousal sponsorship application?
3. If we do go the study route, when is the best time to apply (before or after the wedding), and does that timing matter for PR later?

My goal is to make a logical, low-risk decision that won’t jeopardize either application. Any insights or experiences would be very helpful—thank you!

 

[Buletruck]

Would appreciate guidance on the best path forward. Here’s my timeline for context:

• July 2023: Met my partner for the first time. We were not in a relationship/engaged at that time.
• Jan 2024: I was single and applied for PR.
• Oct 2024: Still single; considering marriage.
• Feb 2025: We got engaged.
• Dec 2025 (planned): Wedding.
• May 2026 (planned): She hopes to start university if admitted.

We’re trying to decide whether she should come to Canada on a study permit first, or whether we should proceed with spousal PR sponsorship first (estimated outland processing time is ~15 months).

Questions:

1. Should she apply for a study permit first, or is it better to marry and start spousal sponsorship right away?
2. If a study permit is refused, could that negatively affect a future spousal sponsorship application?
3. If we do go the study route, when is the best time to apply (before or after the wedding), and does that timing matter for PR later?

My goal is to make a logical, low-risk decision that won’t jeopardize either application. Any insights or experiences would be very helpful—thank you!

You may want to consider tuition in your decision making process as well. Until she gets gets a PR, she's paying additional tuition.

 

[gupta.arjun.rajendra@gmai]

You may want to consider tuition in your decision making process as well. Until she gets gets a PR, she's paying additional tuition.

Tuition Fees is not a problem

 

[canuck78]

Would appreciate guidance on the best path forward. Here’s my timeline for context:

• July 2023: Met my partner for the first time. We were not in a relationship/engaged at that time.
• Jan 2024: I was single and applied for PR.
• Oct 2024: Still single; considering marriage.
• Feb 2025: We got engaged.
• Dec 2025 (planned): Wedding.
• May 2026 (planned): She hopes to start university if admitted.

We’re trying to decide whether she should come to Canada on a study permit first, or whether we should proceed with spousal PR sponsorship first (estimated outland processing time is ~15 months).

Tuition Fee as international student is not a problem as she might get scholarship, as it will be a PHD program.

Questions:

1. Should she apply for a study permit first, or is it better to marry and start spousal sponsorship right away?
2. If a study permit is refused, could that negatively affect a future spousal sponsorship application?
3. If we do go the study route, when is the best time to apply (before or after the wedding), and does that timing matter for PR later?

My goal is to make a logical, low-risk decision that won’t jeopardize either application. Any insights or experiences would be very helpful—thank you!

When did you land as an PR. Apply for sponsorship, try to get a TRV, if approved have your spouse move to Canada and apply for an OWP. Sounds like you have not lived together and may not have spent much time together in person. That may eliminate need for something like an interview. Most PhD programs don’t start in May. She could still apply and explain that she is in the process of spousal sponsorship.