Wife with lack of education and no work experience

[msingh2013]

I am sponsoring my Indian wife via the New Delhi VO. She only has a Bachelors degree and has not gone to school for the past two years. When we talked about it, she informed me that she completed her Bachelors degree in 2009 and then started a Masters degree in 2010 and when we met in 2011, she was waiting for the results for her first year that she completed but she never got the results after the first year. In fact, the results never came to this date. While we were discussing her situation, she informed me that she didn't go back to university because we were going to get married the following year. Instead, she wanted to come to study further after she married me and came to Canada and then work to help support me. Do any of you think that CIC will question this and ask why she hasn't gone to university again to do her MA or that she has never worked?

On the Application to Sponsor and Undertaking form, the first question asks, "if you are found ineligible to sponsor, indicate whether you want to: withdraw your sponsorship application or proceed with the application for permanent residence". I chose "Proceed" for the Application to Sponsor and Undertaking form because I really want her to come here. I am just worried that this is one area that they will have a problem with. Any tips you guys can provide would be appreciated!

Thanks

 

[Fencesitter]

I don't see any problem. She has a BA, so at least she has something. What you should do is check to see how you can get her education validated for Canada so that she won't have major problems finding a job.

As for the MA being an issue, no, and why would it be?

I also chose to 'proceed' with the application.

FS

 

[frankinto]

Agreed, education is irrelevant when sponsoring someone in the family category.

 

[msingh2013]

Thanks guys. I just thought that if she hasn't gone to school for say three years and has no work experience then maybe CIC will ask how she aspires to work here if she didn't do anything else. What should she write her for education then, just leave it up to BA and not include the one year of MA?

How would I get her BA validated in Canada? Would it be through the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO)?

 

[Sweden]

Thanks guys. I just thought that if she hasn't gone to school for say three years and has no work experience then maybe CIC will ask how she aspires to work here if she didn't do anything else. What should she write her for education then, just leave it up to BA and not include the one year of MA?

How would I get her BA validated in Canada? Would it be through the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO)?

yes - write BA, and remember - she is applying through family sponsorship, so language, education etc are not a factor. The only way it could be a problem is if she for example could not read and write at all, and you had a PhD - then CIC would wonder why you would want to marry her. AS a spouse, she is not immigrating to contribute to Canadian society or on her own merits, she is immigrating because she is your spouse. Of course - once in Canada it is best that she can contribute, but it's not a problem.

If anything - it will serve as a proof that you have been serious about getting married for a while, and that she is making plans according to your marriage, so that's a rather positive point ( no need to mention it if you don't want to of course).

For validating her BA - I have no idea.
Good luck,
Sweden

 

[Fencesitter]

Yes, the foreign credentials office would be the place to get her overseas education validated so that she can get a job once she arrives in Canada, if she so chooses.

If she is going to complete her MA, make sure she starts applying to programs at universities in the area where you guys will live. Also, she will need to check to see which credits will be accepted from the overseas university, and also get all documents from her university (translations may be necessary if the transcripts are not in English).

Yes, as a family class applicant, you needn't concern yourself with these issues.

Good luck with everything and hope you get through the visa process as quickly as possible!

FS

P.S. You wife does not lack education! She has a BA and credits towards an MA.

 

[amira_mais]

How would I get her BA validated in Canada? Would it be through the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO)?

The FCRO will likely direct you to some of the following organizations that provide foreign academic credential assessments:

- International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)
- U of Toronto's Comparative Education Service (CES)
- World Education Services (WES)

 

[msingh2013]

yes - write BA, and remember - she is applying through family sponsorship, so language, education etc are not a factor. The only way it could be a problem is if she for example could not read and write at all, and you had a PhD - then CIC would wonder why you would want to marry her. AS a spouse, she is not immigrating to contribute to Canadian society or on her own merits, she is immigrating because she is your spouse. Of course - once in Canada it is best that she can contribute, but it's not a problem.

If anything - it will serve as a proof that you have been serious about getting married for a while, and that she is making plans according to your marriage, so that's a rather positive point ( no need to mention it if you don't want to of course).

For validating her BA - I have no idea.
Good luck,
Sweden

Thank you Sweden. I have a B.Com degree so it's not that I have a lot more than her anyways. She knows English pretty good. Thanks for the tips. You are right.

 

[msingh2013]

Yes, the foreign credentials office would be the place to get her overseas education validated so that she can get a job once she arrives in Canada, if she so chooses.

If she is going to complete her MA, make sure she starts applying to programs at universities in the area where you guys will live. Also, she will need to check to see which credits will be accepted from the overseas university, and also get all documents from her university (translations may be necessary if the transcripts are not in English).

Yes, as a family class applicant, you needn't concern yourself with these issues.

Good luck with everything and hope you get through the visa process as quickly as possible!

FS

P.S. You wife does not lack education! She has a BA and credits towards an MA.

Thank you Fencesitter. She isn't going to complete her MA in India any more. She just wants to work as a teacher once she comes here. So either she will do her B.Ed from India before she comes to Canada or she will do it here. This is really helpful information and thanks for your well wishes!!

 

[msingh2013]

The FCRO will likely direct you to some of the following organizations that provide foreign academic credential assessments:

- International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)
- U of Toronto's Comparative Education Service (CES)
- World Education Services (WES)

Thank you Amira, this is what was I looking for. But would I have to contact FCRO about it first or should I go to to those organizations directly? When I contact them, I would need my wife's transcripts, correct?

Thanks again

 

[Pippin]

Jumping into this conversation. My first thought for your wife was that getting her teaching degree in Canada would be the best idea. Not sure why she chose not to study or work for this length of time, but it might be in her best interests to find employment in the education field, at any level, while she waits for her visa. Many universities look at the person's resume and when spaces for education are limited, preference will be given to the person who has shown the most interest in the field. Good luck.

 

[AnaMaria]

I believe teaching requires credential. For many reasons, it will be best to get it in Canada. I hate the term "Canadian experience" but that's what the labor market wants to see.

 

[amira_mais]

Thank you Amira, this is what was I looking for. But would I have to contact FCRO about it first or should I go to to those organizations directly? When I contact them, I would need my wife's transcripts, correct?

Thanks again

Go to them directly to save time - you'll end up there anyway. If you live in provinces other than Ontario, and if you want additional options, you could check other universities' credential assessment services. I believe UBC has one as well.

Yes, you'll need your wife's transcripts but depending on the type of assessment she wants (overall degree or course-by-course), she may also need more detailed course documentation from her university. If she wants to attend college or university in Canada, she'll need the more detailed course-by-course assessment service.

A good way to start (as I did) was to visit the websites and compare the prices and level of detail of each service. You'll find that WES is more rigorous than ICAS or CES for example (WES requires documentation to be sent directly from the foreign university whereas ICAS and CES don't always). Also WES is used by the Ontario Government, so that gives them a bit of added credibility.