Hi, I'm new to this immigration thing. I've been researching for a few days since my girlfriend and I are thinking seriously about marriage.
I'm 28, Canadian (born and raised). She is 26, Thai, and has been here on a work Visa since last June. Her sister is also here, she is married to a Canadian guy too and they have a house and everything.
Anyway, I see that there's an income requirement, but it is waived when you are sponsoring a spouse. I was a little worried about that because of my student loan. But I have a job that pays enough and I get full benefits (spouse included if I have one).
Then I notice that they could reject the application because they do not believe the relationship is real. But through stories in this forum, I see that things such as phone records, photos, emails, IM conversations can help in proving this.
If any of the above is incorrect, let me know.
Now to my real issue.
Her Work Visa ends in May 2010. The way we are talking, we would like to get married possibly this summer ... though with the economy how it is, we might push it until later in the year.
I am not entirely sure how the waiting process works. If we get married, then I apply to be her PR sponsor here. We have to wait what seems like 6-18 months until it is approved/rejected. And from what I read in the forum, if we apply from within Canada it takes longer than from abroad. Ok, fair enough I suppose. However ... what happens with in that 6-18 months. Say it takes 18 months. That would mean her work permit is expired and as she tells it to me, she would have to go back to Thailand, apply, and wait 6 months for another work permit.
I am just curious, is there any way to keep her in Canada? With a Visitor Visa she cannot work, so that is not really an option.
Also, does the fact that she has some immediate family here help her cause for PR?
If anyone can shed some light on what goes on behind the scenes that would be greatly appreciated.
I'm 28, Canadian (born and raised). She is 26, Thai, and has been here on a work Visa since last June. Her sister is also here, she is married to a Canadian guy too and they have a house and everything.
Anyway, I see that there's an income requirement, but it is waived when you are sponsoring a spouse. I was a little worried about that because of my student loan. But I have a job that pays enough and I get full benefits (spouse included if I have one).
Then I notice that they could reject the application because they do not believe the relationship is real. But through stories in this forum, I see that things such as phone records, photos, emails, IM conversations can help in proving this.
If any of the above is incorrect, let me know.
Now to my real issue.
Her Work Visa ends in May 2010. The way we are talking, we would like to get married possibly this summer ... though with the economy how it is, we might push it until later in the year.
I am not entirely sure how the waiting process works. If we get married, then I apply to be her PR sponsor here. We have to wait what seems like 6-18 months until it is approved/rejected. And from what I read in the forum, if we apply from within Canada it takes longer than from abroad. Ok, fair enough I suppose. However ... what happens with in that 6-18 months. Say it takes 18 months. That would mean her work permit is expired and as she tells it to me, she would have to go back to Thailand, apply, and wait 6 months for another work permit.
I am just curious, is there any way to keep her in Canada? With a Visitor Visa she cannot work, so that is not really an option.
Also, does the fact that she has some immediate family here help her cause for PR?
If anyone can shed some light on what goes on behind the scenes that would be greatly appreciated.
A multiple entry visa for the US perhaps?