Kevchenco

I have been in a relationship with my girlfriend for almost five years and I have been supporting her financially and emotionally for over 3 years, however, due to us both attending university, her having spent a year working in Amsterdam, and financial restrictions we have not been able to live together during this time. Now we have both graduated and I have received an offer to start work in Calgary on the 24th of August, the company employing me stated I could bring my partner on an open work permit but I am now worried that as we have not cohabited she will not be allowed in.

Does anyone have any experience of this type of situation?????

Siouxie

Welcome to BE!

Unfortunately you would not qualify for conjugal partner status (which is generally used for Permanent Residence applications). Conjugal applications are for people who, due to laws, wars or similar circumstances cannot live together or marry. It can't be for work or financial reasons as this would not stop you from livinig together, it would be a matter of choice. For example, in some countries divorce is illegal (Phillipines), in others being in a same-sex relationship is illegal - and so there would be no way that the applicants could physically live together nor marry.

If your girlfriend wanted to come to Canada she would have to come as a visitor initially, then either a) find a company willing to employ her and apply for a TWP in her own right or b) apply under the IEC initiative in December for a working holiday TWP or c) wait until you have lived together for a minimum of 12 consecutive months and qualify for common-law status and obtain a Spousal open work permit.

The other choice she would have is to attend university here (study permit) or for the two of you to get married, resulting in her getting the SOWP at the same time as you get your TWP.

Kevchenco

Thanks for the reply Siouxy,

this is very disappointing news. If we were to marry quickly in the next two weeks would this be an acceptable arrangement to obtain the SOWP?

christmasoompa

Yes, that would be fine.

I'll get my hat! Congrats.