Would our relationship be valid?

[Ponga]

Ahah! Nah, there is no way he'd want to live in France, and neither do I. New Brunswick isn't the best economically but France is just not an option.
I wanted to live in Canada even before meeting my boyfriend.

IMO, you should keep that information to yourself. If CIC gets wind of that, it could make them wonder what your true intentions were, regarding your relationship.

Oh...and have you considered working remotely? If you can work as a freelancer, for example, you would not need a work permit. The only requirement is that you are not working for a company, or person, in Canada and are not eremunerated from within Canada. Since you have experience as an online video maker...the world is your oyster!

Good luck!

 

[Kahisys]

Oh geez I didn't realize that. Okay I'll keep that to myself.
Well, I did want to come at some point but my relationship made things happen way sooner than I planned so it still works...I hope.

Well I did explore that possibility, but trust me, the world of online work is CRAMPED. There is NOTHING, and when there is something, they ask you insane experiences.
All I know I could do online is basic video editing and translation. Needless to say, there's just nothing. The gold mine is long dried out.

And that's when you know where to look. I've been getting around $120/month with my own work, and since I'm an artist, I try to also sell art. Doesn't really work to be honest.

 

[scylla]

And that's when you know where to look. I've been getting around $120/month with my own work, and since I'm an artist, I try to also sell art. Doesn't really work to be honest.

Just make sure you're not selling to any Canadians / anyone in Canada. Since you are physically located in Canada, you would need a work permit to do that (doing this without a work permit is illegal work). Selling to non-Canadians / people located outside of Canada is fine (i.e. no work permit required).

 

[Ponga]

Oh geez I didn't realize that. Okay I'll keep that to myself.
Well, I did want to come at some point but my relationship made things happen way sooner than I planned so it still works...I hope.

Well I did explore that possibility, but trust me, the world of online work is CRAMPED. There is NOTHING, and when there is something, they ask you insane experiences.
All I know I could do online is basic video editing and translation. Needless to say, there's just nothing. The gold mine is long dried out.

And that's when you know where to look. I've been getting around $120/month with my own work, and since I'm an artist, I try to also sell art. Doesn't really work to be honest.

Be careful selling your original artwork. That's a slippery slope!

The argument can be that you are taking away a potential client forn a Canadian citizen or PR holder.

 

[Kahisys]

Good lord there's a lot to worry about. You keep hearing that Canada is very welcoming to immigrants, but damn that's a load of b*******.

Thanks for the second heads-up, guys...

 

[Ponga]

Here's a similar topic:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/-t350679.0.html;msg4654710#msg4654710


I'm only suggesting that you be careful.

 

[Kahisys]

Huh...I see. Well alright, I'll be careful.
If anything, I've only been able to sell 3 pieces in 3 years so it's not like this is going to help anyway. ;D

I'm really thankful for all your help. Going everywhere without any answer is absolutely infuriating.

 

[scylla]

Good lord there's a lot to worry about. You keep hearing that Canada is very welcoming to immigrants, but damn that's a load of b*******.

Canada is welcoming - but you have to be able to make some compromises as well. Everyone on this forum has made some kind of sacrifice if not several for the sponsorship process. Some have gone many months if not more than a year without one of the spouses working. Some have married earlier than planned - or had a simpler wedding - or even a civil wedding. Some have been separated from their spouse for many months - or even a few years. Some have been separated from other family members. Etc.

Immigrating anywhere in the world means work and giving things up. It doesn't just drop into your lap. It sounds like there are compromises you aren't willing to make (like getting married sooner) - so that means it's going to be harder for you. That's just how it works.

As for the work, Canada's first priority is to protect its local workforce. That's why these rules are in place. Canada is no different that any other first world country in this regard. This is perfectly normal and expected.

 

[Kahisys]

As a matter of fact, I already sacrificed a lot just to come: I left my family behind, spent most of my savings and abandoned my studies (well, the latter being a personal relief somewhat considering how terrible the university was). There's so much one has to sacrifice before it not feeling worth it, you know?

 

[scylla]

As a matter of fact, I already sacrificed a lot just to come: I left my family behind, spent most of my savings and abandoned my studies (well, the latter being a personal relief somewhat considering how terrible the university was). There's so much one has to sacrifice before it not feeling worth it, you know?

I understand - but what was your original plan? What were you planning on doing once arriving in Canada?

 

[Kahisys]

I understand - but what was your original plan? What were you planning on doing once arriving in Canada?

My original plan, before everything happened, was to come with a bachelor's degree of French teaching (which covered a lot of things such as literature, history, translation, etc.). I validated 2 out of the 3 necessary years to do so before being way too done with a terrible university, both dangerous and dysfunctional.

I arrived in Canada only to visit (or rather, meet) my boyfriend for a couple weeks before going back to France. I simply never left.
What I wanted to do from that point was to get a simple job (I'm not a picky person on that matter, any retail job would've done) and start a new life.

 

[kangamoose]

As a matter of fact, I already sacrificed a lot just to come: I left my family behind, spent most of my savings and abandoned my studies (well, the latter being a personal relief somewhat considering how terrible the university was). There's so much one has to sacrifice before it not feeling worth it, you know?

Everyone here has left family behind and spent LOTS of money on this process. My partner and I tallied up the amount we had spent over the past five years and combined with loss of wages and earning potential for myself and the amount we have lost/spent could have bought us a nice house in a decent suburb. We don't for a second think thats too much of a sacrifice to set our lives up to be together forever, but everyone is different and if you don't feel that sacrifice is worth it then honestly you need to rethink your plans because this is a long expensive process that demands you to make some sacrifices. Thats just the reality of the situation.

 

[Ponga]

My original plan, before everything happened, was to come with a bachelor's degree of French teaching (which covered a lot of things such as literature, history, translation, etc.). I validated 2 out of the 3 necessary years to do so before being way too done with a terrible university, both dangerous and dysfunctional.

I arrived in Canada only to visit (or rather, meet) my boyfriend for a couple weeks before going back to France. I simply never left.
What I wanted to do from that point was to get a simple job (I'm not a picky person on that matter, any retail job would've done) and start a new life.

This could be a potential red flag, if you plan to stay in Canada until you have established the required one [full] year of cohabiting with him to qualify for Common-Law sponsorship, and then immediately submit the application. CIC could see this as a `marriage-like' relationship of convenience, for the sole purpose of obtaining PR status.

The reality is that the soonest that you would have authorization to work in Canada, would be ~ December of next year...IF you:

• Submitted an Inland application along with an Open Work Permit (OWP) as soon as you have reached Common-law eligibility

• If the OWP Pilot Program that was introduced on December 22, 2014 is renewed. It was a one year `test', which seems to have been successful, but...CIC is an odd duck when it comes to things that coincide with logic.

The Inland stream is painfully slow (currently ~ 26 months) and the applicant is strongly cautioned that s/he should not leave Canada during the process. Being refused re-entry would, in essence, kill the application. So, you'd be able to work in ~ 14 months (from today), but wouldn't have the total freedom to leave Canada, knowing that you would be allowed re-entry, until ~ late 2018...which is nuts! It's possible that the processing times will decrease...but it's also possible that they'll get worse. Who knows!

Conversely, submitting an Outland application next year would get you through the process faster, but you'd not be eligible for the OWP. You could either remain in Canada (as a visitor), or return to France while awaiting your PR approval. Once you have established Common-Law status, one partner can leave Canada, so long as the relationship remains genuine.

I know...a lot to process!

 

[Kahisys]

Everyone here has left family behind and spent LOTS of money on this process. My partner and I tallied up the amount we had spent over the past five years and combined with loss of wages and earning potential for myself and the amount we have lost/spent could have bought us a nice house in a decent suburb. We don't for a second think thats too much of a sacrifice to set our lives up to be together forever, but everyone is different and if you don't feel that sacrifice is worth it then honestly you need to rethink your plans because this is a long expensive process that demands you to make some sacrifices. Thats just the reality of the situation.

Oh, I'm well aware of this. I'm no fool.

This could be a potential red flag, if you plan to stay in Canada until you have established the required one [full] year of cohabiting with him to qualify for Common-Law sponsorship, and then immediately submit the application. CIC could see this as a `marriage-like' relationship of convenience, for the sole purpose of obtaining PR status.

The reality is that the soonest that you would have authorization to work in Canada, would be ~ December of next year...IF you:

• Submitted an Inland application along with an Open Work Permit (OWP) as soon as you have reached Common-law eligibility

• If the OWP Pilot Program that was introduced on December 22, 2014 is renewed. It was a one year `test', which seems to have been successful, but...CIC is an odd duck when it comes to things that coincide with logic.

The Inland stream is painfully slow (currently ~ 26 months) and the applicant is strongly cautioned that s/he should not leave Canada during the process. Being refused re-entry would, in essence, kill the application. So, you'd be able to work in ~ 14 months (from today), but wouldn't have the total freedom to leave Canada, knowing that you would be allowed re-entry, until ~ late 2018...which is nuts! It's possible that the processing times will decrease...but it's also possible that they'll get worse. Who knows!

Conversely, submitting an Outland application next year would get you through the process faster, but you'd not be eligible for the OWP. You could either remain in Canada (as a visitor), or return to France while awaiting your PR approval. Once you have established Common-Law status, one partner can leave Canada, so long as the relationship remains genuine.

I know...a lot to process!

Oh my god, this is what insanity must be like.

I'm not sure I understood everything: this means that I won't be able to work until December 2016, and I have to stay in Canada for that period of time with no income other than the random work I'll be able to get online?

 

[Ponga]

Oh my god, this is what insanity must be like.

I'm not sure I understood everything: this means that I won't be able to work until December 2016, and I have to stay in Canada for that period of time with no income other than the random work I'll be able to get online?

If your plan is to establish Common-Law, so that you can then apply for sponsorship from your partner...Yes.

You can also try to find an employer that would be willing to `jump through' the LMIA hoop to hire you, but as you've already said, it's not likely for a retail position.

Keep in mind, that he can also choose to `visit' you if you decide to return to France. As long as there is no real break in cohabiting with each other, you can `move about the planet together' and once you have 365 days of living together, you can apply for sponsorship.