Residence through marriage

[gm1517]

Hello!
I have a friend who lives in Mexico, she's been in a long distance relationship with a man from Quebec. He wants her to come to Canada and get married so she can stay here with him. I know that Quebec has its own laws and for my understanding, if I'm not wrong, to get your residence you HAVE to leave the country and wait several months to come back, if this is the case, she was wondering if they could get married in, I don't know maybe Vancouver or another city outside Quebec and then go into Quebec already married so she can stay in the country while her residence is being processed? Also is there any problem if she gets married here with a temporary resident status?

 

[scylla]

No - she doesn't have to leave the country. If she can obtain a visitor visa and come here and get married - then he can sponsor her inland and she can remain in Canada (Quebec or any other province) while the PR application is being processed. No need to leave Canada. Read the first post here for more information:

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/spousal-sponsorship-t46995.0.html

 

[gm1517]

Well that's great! Can she work while she is waiting for her residence, also how long does it take?

 

[scylla]

Well that's great! Can she work while she is waiting for her residence, also how long does it take?

Six months after the application is submitted assuming there are no complications.

But the trick is getting the visitor visa approved. She may find this quite challenging.

 

[gm1517]

Really? Is getting the visitor visa so hard? I mean I've been living in Vancouver for about a year and a half and I didn't have much problem getting my visitor visa nor my student permit.

 

[scylla]

It depends on an individual's personal circumstances and a bit of luck as well.

If CIC believes the individual has plans to remain in Canada long term and has little or no ties to their home country, they often refuse the visitor visa.

If she has a good job in Mexico and some assets (e.g. property, bank account) - this will increase her chances of being approved.