Will I be able to work if I marry a Canadian in Canada?

[guillermochile]

Hi,

I have been together with my girlfriend for three years now, first in Vancouver (where I lived for a year) and then in Chile. Right now she decided to go back to Toronto and she's waiting for me. We are planning to get married in Canada in May or June. Will I be able to work in Canada after I marry? This is very important for me since I don't want to be a burden for her, that's why I need to work. Is is something that happens automatically or does it take time? If it does, how long?

Please let me know which are the options.

Thank you very much!
G

 

[godisFin]

No, getting married in Canada doesn't give you the right to work there. You have to apply for a visa to work.

Here is your options: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/apply.asp

I would think after you are married you should apply with family sponsorship, your wife as a sponsor.

Good luck!

 

[gsize]

last I heard, time to get work permit was at least 8 months. You also should be aware that entrance into Canada is not guaranteed.

what will you tell customs officer ?

 

[kyc221]

Hola compatriota,

When you lived in Vancouver, was it under a Working holiday Visa? If not, then you could apply for one to go to Canada and live there for a year.

That's the only way you'll be able to work while you're there without a working visa.

If you go as a tourist (and consider first you have to get that visa), marry there, and apply inland, the only way you'll be able to work is if you apply for a work visa at the same time you apply for PR, and only after Stage 1 is approved (I believe it's currently taking 6 months with inland apps).
If you apply outland, you'll have to return to Chile.

Sorry, but as much as you'll hear people saying it's an "automatic process" after you marry a Canadian... well, it's not :

I recommend you decide beforehand what you're going to do, since this is not an easy process. It can be quite taxing!

Good luck!

 

[scylla]

last I heard, time to get work permit was at least 8 months.

6 months if one applies inland.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/perm-fc.asp

 

[guillermochile]

Hi,

Thank you for all your responses. I have more questions:

- Does this means that if I apply inland it would take 6-8 months to achieve stage 1?
- If so, does this means that at the completion of Stage 1 I receive the work permit?
- Is this an open work permit meaning that I can work anywhere, or does it have restrictions?
- Can I leave and return to Canada if I apply inland?

Thank you very much! Appreciatte it.

Guillermo

 

[scylla]

Yes - about six months to reach stage 1.
Yes - you will receive the work permit after stage 1 approval if you include the work permit application with your application package.
Yes - you can work anywhere.
No - you should remain in Canada if you apply inland. There is no guarantee you will be allowed back into Canada if you leave. And if you are not allowed back in, then your application will be canceled/refused.

 

[guillermochile]

Wow, that's great information Scylla! Gives me hopes. Thank you.

- Would it also be possible to make that inland application if I travel (let's say) in two more weeks to Canada as a visitor without returning to Chile? Would that be considered as an inland application even though I am there only as a visitor? Would the government accept that?

Thank you so much, really really appreciatte it.

G.

Hi,

Thank you for all your responses. I have more questions:

- Does this means that if I apply inland it would take 6-8 months to achieve stage 1?
- If so, does this means that at the completion of Stage 1 I receive the work permit?
- Is this an open work permit meaning that I can work anywhere, or does it have restrictions?
- Can I leave and return to Canada if I apply inland?

Thank you very much! Appreciatte it.

Guillermo

 

[guillermochile]

Wow, that's great information Scylla! Gives me hopes. Thank you.

- Would it also be possible to make that inland application if I travel (let's say) in two more weeks to Canada as a visitor without returning to Chile? Would that be considered as an inland application even though I am there only as a visitor? Would the government accept that?

Thank you so much, really really appreciatte it.

G.

 

[amikety]

Wow, that's great information Scylla! Gives me hopes. Thank you.

- Would it also be possible to make that inland application if I travel (let's say) in two more weeks to Canada as a visitor without returning to Chile? Would that be considered as an inland application even though I am there only as a visitor? Would the government accept that?

Thank you so much, really really appreciatte it.

G.

Yes, that would work. You can enter as a visitor then file for PR. You're basically applying for a change in status. Make sure to include the open work permit application so you can have Implied Status while you wait for the PR visa.

 

[truesmile]

All good! So long as you bump up your wedding from May/June. The 'inland application' spoken of here is for Family Class Sponsorship (after the wedding).

If you understood that already, I apologize for the redundancy.

 

[AnaMaria]

Have you lived with her for 1 year or more in Vancouver or in Chile combined? If so, then you can apply as a common-law and you can do apply outland as a common-law partner now.