What should we do? (Student vs spouse sponsorship)

[Canadian1981]

Hi all!

I'm Canadian citizen born here in Canada. My girlfriend is French. We don't have common-law status, but we're willing to get married to stay together.

We recently went through an ordeal with CIC in trying to get her a work visa via the Young Professional Exchange program (IEC). After jumping through all the hoops and finding a company to give her a letter of offer for a job, we ran into a snag. Long story short, we followed instructions from the Call Center which directly led to her application being denied and file closed.

So now we're looking at other alternatives. Does someone know of anyone applying for a Student Visa as a Canadian Citizen? If that is possible she should be able to get an OWP as soon as I start school with the visa. I haven't been able to find any information saying that Canadian Citizens are exempt from getting a Student Visa. The only requirements for her to apply for the OWP are that I am a full-time student, and that I have a Student Visa.

Also, if I just sponsor her as a spouse how long should it take for her to get an OWP through the new pilot program (assuming we fill out all the paper work and send the applications in at the same time)? It looks like if we apply inland its a 17 month wait to get approved as a sponsor. Surely it's not a 17 month wait is it? Otherwise what is the point of the new program?

Another option we have is applying outland which means I have to quit my job and move to Europe. (Both of us living off of one income isn't really an option.) We both want to live in Canada, and without a formal education I'm not likely to find a job as good as the one I lucked into, so this doesn't seem like the ideal solution.

We've been living together for 4 months now, and not working is pretty rough for her. She's here on a 6 month visitor visa, and if we're going the inland rout would you say it'd be better to try for another 6 month visa, or just hop across the border on our honeymoon and cross our fingers she gets back in?

I'm sure I've missed asking a few questions, but as far as I can remember right now these are the big ones. If anyone could point me in the right direction (preferably not the cic website as it's a convoluted mess to me) it would be much appreciated. If you need more info don't hesitate to ask!

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[rhcohen2014]

Another option we have is applying outland which means I have to quit my job and move to Europe. (Both of us living off of one income isn't really an option.) We both want to live in Canada, and without a formal education I'm not likely to find a job as good as the one I lucked into, so this doesn't seem like the ideal solution.

applying outland doesn't mean either one of you has to move to Europe. the PR applicant can be IN canada as a visitor while the application processes. there is no rule against this. to do this, she will need to apply to change her status to visitor and request a 12+ month stay. PR applicants are rarel denied.

the applicant can not work while a visitor, so you would still need to live off of 1 income. this definitely is not a reason to apply inland. Right now, Paris has a pretty quick processing time, and i believe people are currently getting approved in 6 mo or less. To know for sure, check out the Paris thread and see what stats they have available.

if living off 1 income is not an option, then that would mean she would need to return home and you would need to stay in canada. first, you would need to get married, or continue your cohabitation for 8 months to become commonlaw. that is the sacrifice couples make to be together. there is no "easy" way to get through the process. either you live off 1 income or you live in separate countries.

if you apply inland (Which is certainly NOT recommended for a French applicant), it is a risk to travel outside of cnada. the risk is being denied reentry, and then your inland application is cancelled. It is still unknown how long EXACTLY it will take to receive an OWP with the new program, and it certainly is NOT a reason for a French citizen to apply inland. it is far better to be approved as outland in 6ish months than get stuck in canada as an inland applicant for 2 years. there is no choice really.

 

[Canadian1981]

Thanks for responding so quickly! I'll Check out the Paris thread and see if I can find more information.

One more question though, is it much more difficult of a process or even possible to sponsor her if I'm outside of Canada?

 

[shy_guy]

Thanks for responding so quickly! I'll Check out the Paris thread and see if I can find more information.

One more question though, is it much more difficult of a process or even possible to sponsor her if I'm outside of Canada?

It does not matter much..u just have to show the proof of intent that you will be coming back to canada and you have plan all set, like house and what job you would possible get to support urself...