Want to move to Canada

[SamheinWitchKilla]

First, apologies if this is the wrong section of the forum to ask.

Now onto my question:

I'm 18 (19 in June) and from the U.K and have been in a long distance relationship with my girlfriend (age 17, 18 in August) for over a year. I just returned from spending 2 weeks with her and I have wanted to move over there for awhile now, and these 2 weeks have helped me make my decision that I do want to live over there.

I would already have a place to stay (with my girlfriend, her grandma and brother) where I stayed recently. Her grandma suggested that I go to College or School over there for a year or so, due to me not fully graduating over here in the U.K. and for me to improve the grades (which aren't bad, but I could have done better) I obtained.

Her grandma also runs a store in her home (but has forms and stuff and it's an official business/store, even though it's only a small place), like a lot of the people in the area (Afton) but also works outside doing Medical Runs, so doesn't have much time to actually run the store, so if I went over there, I could do that for her while she is out. I have run the store slightly, with the help of my girlfriend and I work in a store here in the U.K. so it's not like I have no experience at all. I could also apply to work in other stores in the town (Antigonish) which isn't too far from where she lives, something to just keep me occupied.

So is there anyway I can move over there permanently or on a temporary basis for a few months or so? As I said, her Grandma has a business in her home and would be happy to let me work there, so hopefully that helps some what.

I assume she will have to fill out forms as well as me, correct? I'm hoping to head out later this year (planning another 2 week trip in July if I can get time off work) and was also wondering how long it would take to get permission to live there etc... even on just a temporary basis.

Once again, sorry if this is the wrong place to ask, and thanks to anyone who can help.

 

[Leon]

You can look into a bunac visa, see http://www.bunac.org/ That would give you an open work permit for 1 year.

If you can't get that, you can come as a temporary worker or as a student. If you are a temporary worker and want to work in grandma's store, she will have to apply for a labour market opinion for you, proving that she is paying market wages but can not find an employee in Canada. If you are a student, you need to be accepted to a school and show that you have enough money to support yourself and pay your tuition. For both, you need to prove that you will leave again at the end of your visa.

Once your GF is 18, you could also get married and she could sponsor you to get permanent residency in Canada. She would not be denied for lack of income but she can't be on social assistance either. You would have to prove to immigration that the relationship is legitimate.

 

[SamheinWitchKilla]

Thanks for the reply.

First, I'm unsure exactly what Bunac is, from the site it looks like I will be under a work program for them while there, is that correct? I wouldn't mind doing this, just aslong as I'm in the area near my girlfriend. I've read about Bunac before and it seems to be a good choice, but at the moment I'm not sure completly on exactly what it is, so any help would be appreciated.

I spoke to my girlfriend last night and she said she was thinking about her brother, herself and I finding work in the town, would I be able to come over there and look for a job like that? or will I already need a job offer in order to be able to come over there. I could work in her grandma's store, because I know that she'd let me as she was looking for someone to run it while I was over there, and she said she wants someone she trusts, and I know she trusts me.

As for marriage, we have discussed it and we do want to get married, but not until another 1-2 years, but if needed, we would get married when she becomes 18.

Also, I've heard the visa's are usually 6 months, does this mean after 6 months I have to leave? or do they review my status and possibly grant me more time in the country, eventually becoming a permanant stay.

Thanks again for any help.

 

[Leon]

Bunac is like a working holiday visa. You would have to contact them for the exact info. I think it's just an open work permit.

If you come on your UK passport without getting a work permit, you can stay for 6 months but you can't actually work. In order to work, you would need a work permit. To get a work permit, you need a job offer and your employer needs to apply for a labour market opinion for you. If you are 19, don't have a trade, not much education etc. it may not be easy. If Canada has enough people to do those jobs, they will not give you a work permit to do them.

If you want to work black market in grandmas store, you could do that but it's a risk because if somebody finds out and reports it, you could be deported and banned for some years.

The easiest way to get a work permit would be the bunac visa, you can try on your own too but for the future, best way to stay would be to get married.

 

[SamheinWitchKilla]

I emailed Bunac earlier on today so hopefully they reply, I'm still talking to my girlfriend too about marriage, so if she's ready for it then we'll get married.

Also, my mother doesn't want me to move over there and is basically saying I ain't going. We had this problem before when I said I was going away for 2 weeks to there, and she took my credit card from me, and eventually I got it back, but by law, she cannot stop me from going and doing what I want 'cause I am 18, correct?

Once again, thanks for any replies.

Oh, also, any idea approx. on how long it takes to sort out? because I was thinking of heading there in July, is that too soon?

 

[Leon]

Your mom can not stop you from doing anything. She can only take your credit card if it's an extra card on her account. If it's yours, she can't.

If you are asking how long the bunac visa takes, I have absolutely no idea. If you were to go over there in July and get married to your gf in August when she turns 18, you can file for sponsorship and hopefully could have it in a few months. You need to send all kinds of proof of your relationship. If you apply as living in Canada, you can have a work permit in 6 to 7 months or so, you need to apply for that as well. Permanent residency would be later. If you apply to have your application processed in the UK, you could have your permanent residency in 5 months so so. You also need to make sure that before your 6 month visit visa expires that you apply to extend it to stay legal in Canada while you wait for your sponsorship application.

 

[SamheinWitchKilla]

Ok, Bunac replied, they said I don't need to have a job offer to go over there, I can look while there. They just told me to remember my 12 month permit starts the day I enter Canada, and told me that the Bunac visa itself ain't extendable, but my employer may be able to get a work permit for me granting me permission to stay longer.

I assume the Bunac visa already has a work permit and I won't need to get any other visa's or anything, but correct me if I'm wrong.

Once again Leon, thanks for the help, I appreciate it.

As for my mum, it's because I am an only child, she doesn't want me to go, but my dad understands what I want to do, and knows that my mum needs to let me live my life on my own now, as I ain't a little kid no more.

 

[Leon]

Bunac visa is already a work permit so that's a plan. Go on a Bunac visa if you can but still get married and apply for sponsorship. Then you can have your permanent residency while you are still on the bunac visa so there would be no gap period where you are waiting and not allowed to work.

 

[SamheinWitchKilla]

Thanks.

Are bunac visa's easy to obtain? I am thinking about trying to apply in the next few days, so hopefully I don't have any trouble getting one.

I have work experience and no criminal record etc... so I think I should be fine.

Again, thanks alot for all the help Leon.

Also, if we do get married, and apply for sponsorship and get it, will I still have to leave at the end of my 1 year visa?

Uhm, I'm unsure whether I can still apply for Bunac now.

I joined the site and clicked to read the rules and stuff and it says:

Eligibility
All applicants must be:
• Aged 18 – 30 inclusive at the time of visa application
• A British passport holder
• Without Canadian spouse, fiancé, common-law partner

I have a partner, so do you think it will still be ok to apply? or is a common-law partner, one which you live with?

 

[Leon]

A common-law partner is when you have lived together for 12 months or longer and you haven't. If you get married and get sponsorship through, you will get permanent residency and don't have to leave after 1 year.

 

[SamheinWitchKilla]

Thanks again Leon.

Upon my return journey, in Canada, the guy on security granted me access to U.S (due to me having to travel to the U.S. then back to the U.K.) and told me when I get home to complete the form on this.

I started to fill in the section which says:

"Update or Check the Status of a Previously Submitted Authorization to Travel to the United States"

I fill in everything fine, but I'm unsure about the Application Number and to where exactly I will find it.

So all I need to know is, am I filling in the correct section, if yes, where can I find my Application Number, or shall I be applying for authorization instead?

My passport was stamped in Canada and has an expiry date or something of "April 23rd 2009" ... so I don't think I am late on checking my status or anything. I've read it should be done 72 hours or so after/before, so maybe I am too late, but also read here and here that I should be ok to just apply for a new one, I don't plan on travelling again until around July-August anyway, so can anyone ensure me that this is correct or anything and that I should be fine.

Thanks to anyone who can help me.

 

[SamheinWitchKilla]

Anyone have any idea?

Also, on Bunac site it says:

Can I book a one way flight and book the return flight whilst I am away?
No, we need to see proof that you have an outward and homeward flight (departing North America) before we will release your work authorisation letter. As you are only on a temporary permit proof of departure from North America is a must.

Leon, you suggested I can get married, if I do and gain sponsorship, what am I meant to do with the return ticket?

Once again, any help would be appreciated.

 

[Leon]

In most cases it's cheaper for you to buy a return ticket anyway. If you don't need the return ticket, don't use it.

 

[SamheinWitchKilla]

Thanks Leon

I am going to apply later on today, I had a quick attempt at applying earlier and on one of the questions it says:

Anticipated city of Orientation:

Toronto
Vancouver
Montreal

I am not planning to travel to any of them, so shall I just not answer that question?

 

[Leon]

Does it say that you have to attend orientation or just that they offer it? Since it's anticipated, you can put anything or write don't know.