Spousal support

[Dale112]

Really in need of some advice!
I'm living in the UK (British citizens) with my Canadian girlfriend (who has dual British and Canadian citizenship) we will be getting married in a couple moths and the plan to move back to Ontario to be closer to her family and to live a better quality of life. My question is... What are the chances of a successful sponsorship because as she's living here in the UK with me she doesn't have a job. Would it be better both us both to up sticks and move back to Canada and apply inland there? I have my Eta and I could get a job as I'm a qualified barber, hairdresser and assessor. Or would it be easier for me to go over on a working permit if I can get a job offer and then while I'm in canada apply for PR? I am really unsure the best way to do this! Any help or info would be appreciated

 

[starnaenae]

An eta does not give you permission to work so no you cant fond a job. You can come over as a visitor and apply inland if you have been cohabitating for more than 1 year continuously. If you apply inland you can apply for an open work permit

 

[Hurlabrick]

Really in need of some advice!
I'm living in the UK (British citizens) with my Canadian girlfriend (who has dual British and Canadian citizenship) we will be getting married in a couple moths and the plan to move back to Ontario to be closer to her family and to live a better quality of life. My question is... What are the chances of a successful sponsorship because as she's living here in the UK with me she doesn't have a job. Would it be better both us both to up sticks and move back to Canada and apply inland there? I have my Eta and I could get a job as I'm a qualified barber, hairdresser and assessor. Or would it be easier for me to go over on a working permit if I can get a job offer and then while I'm in canada apply for PR? I am really unsure the best way to do this! Any help or info would be appreciated

I would really go Outland if I were you guys.

As the previous reply stated, you cannot work in Canada until you have an OWP, which you can apply for at the same time as sending in your pack if you go the inland route, it then takes 4 months to get your OWP approved, until it is you CANNOT work.

If you go Outland, you can both continue working in the UK, then move to Canada once approved. Start to end times will depend on whether your files gets sent to Mississauga or London (which you have no control over). If Mississauga, work on 6 months, if London, work on 10 - 12 months. All your GF has to prove is that you are 'common law' (as defined by CIC with the 'proof' they need - BUT if as you say getting married, then a lot less 'proof') AND that she can 'prove' that she intends to return to Canada if you are approved. It can be done, I managed it despite not having lived in Canada for 40 years!

Seriously suggest you have a really good read here - LOTS of tips on outland sponsorship:

https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Spousal_Sponsorship-Canada/FAQ_-_New_Application_Forms


Once your Outland is well underway, you could always move to Canada under 'dual intent', although again, you would only have visitor status until approved, so could not work and not entitled to any Canadian provincial health insurance.

As regards getting a job as you are a 'qualified barber' - forget it! Canadian provinces have a LOT of red tape and hairdressers MUST go through exams and qualifications before they can work as hairdressers - so plan on expenditure to get yourself through the Canadian qualifications first. You will quickly find out that MANY things in Canada are done at Province level, so it matters very much which province you aim to settle in. I don't mean to patronise, but Canada is in many ways a VERY different country to what you are used to in the UK - in many ways better, in others, not so much - ask me about car and motorbike insurance!!!!

 

[Dale112]

I would really go Outland if I were you guys.

As the previous reply stated, you cannot work in Canada until you have an OWP, which you can apply for at the same time as sending in your pack if you go the inland route, it then takes 4 months to get your OWP approved, until it is you CANNOT work.

If you go Outland, you can both continue working in the UK, then move to Canada once approved. Start to end times will depend on whether your files gets sent to Mississauga or London (which you have no control over). If Mississauga, work on 6 months, if London, work on 10 - 12 months. All your GF has to prove is that you are 'common law' (as defined by CIC with the 'proof' they need - BUT if as you say getting married, then a lot less 'proof') AND that she can 'prove' that she intends to return to Canada if you are approved. It can be done, I managed it despite not having lived in Canada for 40 years!

Seriously suggest you have a really good read here - LOTS of tips on outland sponsorship:

https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Spousal_Sponsorship-Canada/FAQ_-_New_Application_Forms


Once your Outland is well underway, you could always move to Canada under 'dual intent', although again, you would only have visitor status until approved, so could not work and not entitled to any Canadian provincial health insurance.

As regards getting a job as you are a 'qualified barber' - forget it! Canadian provinces have a LOT of red tape and hairdressers MUST go through exams and qualifications before they can work as hairdressers - so plan on expenditure to get yourself through the Canadian qualifications first. You will quickly find out that MANY things in Canada are done at Province level, so it matters very much which province you aim to settle in. I don't mean to patronise, but Canada is in many ways a VERY different country to what you are used to in the UK - in many ways better, in others, not so much - ask me about car and motorbike insurance!!!!

 

[Dale112]

Thank you so much for your reply!

OK so my wife won't have a job will that hinder the success of our approval? I have read that there isn't a minimum income for spousal support but even so, with her not having a job to support me will this go against us? It sounds to me that the Canadian government just don't want us to claim off the state witch is understandable and we wouldn't. Obviously she will try and get a job and I'll get a work permit and start working ASAP. I also read that as a hairdresser and barber I can work for up to 90 days on my qualification before taking their trade exam.

So like I said we will be married before we make the move. We have lots of pictures, gifts, plane tickets and others things as proof. As for having her name on the apartment lease and bills I've not done that yet, is this something I should do? And a joint bank account? I just want to make sure we have the best chance approval and gather all the info I can get.

I realy do appreciate your thoughts

 

[Hurlabrick]

OK so my wife won't have a job will that hinder the success of our approval? I have read that there isn't a minimum income for spousal support but even so, with her not having a job to support me will this go against us? It sounds to me that the Canadian government just don't want us to claim off the state witch is understandable and we wouldn't. Obviously she will try and get a job and I'll get a work permit and start working ASAP.

You are correct, as spousal sponsor, there is no minimum income requirement. What she will have to do is write up her plan for supporting you. Some of this stuff will be repeated in her 'prove you intend to return to Canada'. Stuff like what savings she has, where and how you intend to live (with parents initially??), how she will get a job, what she intends to do for a job, what steps she has taken to get one so far etc. She needs a financial plan for how she will support you both (include your plans as well).

Note that you will NOT need a 'work permit' if you go the outland route and only move to Canada once you are approved and with a CoPR - all you do is land, declare PR then the next day go to any Services Canada office with your stamped CoPR and id etc. and ask them to give you a SIN number. Once you have that, you can work.

I also read that as a hairdresser and barber I can work for up to 90 days on my qualification before taking their trade exam.

OK, I didn't know that, you probably know more than me in that case!

So like I said we will be married before we make the move. We have lots of pictures, gifts, plane tickets and others things as proof. As for having her name on the apartment lease and bills I've not done that yet, is this something I should do? And a joint bank account? I just want to make sure we have the best chance approval and gather all the info I can get.

Just follow what it says and asks for on the checklist. I think some of the stuff you mentioned is only required if you are going the common-law route. Once you are married, you only need to demonstrate that it is a genuine marriage and not an 'immigration scam' - just follow the checklists. If you are married and it is genuine, then you will be approved - simple as.​

 

[Dale112]

Oh wow! OK that seems quite positive!
I can't thank you guys enough for your help! I've been all over the Internet and not getting much luck. But I feel like I'm getting somewhere now so thank you.

And yes our marriage is genuine she's the absolute love of my life! Just need to go back to Ontario the be close the her mum and dad, he's not well. Plus we love it there , I hate the UK!

So basically we just have to show a plan and that we won't be living off the state lol. And sounds like it's better to apply out land in the UK rather than in land in Ontario? So if we get approved how soon do we have to go? Is there a time period to go live in canada? Sorry if I'm asking loads of (stupid) questions. Just seems like I'm getting a lot of answers here