Is a marriage license sufficient for an open work permit application?
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9
Is a marriage license sufficient for an open work permit application?
Hi,
My girlfriend and I have been thinking about getting married for a while. We decided that we would do so once she would get her Study Permit in Canada so we would not have to deal with foreign marriage certificate. I've just arrived in BC from the UK and want to apply for a spousal open work permit. We found out that you first need to get the marriage license then you have to do the ceremony and get the registration to finally get the marriage certificate. The license is only valid in BC for 3 months but it would be impossible for us to have a ceremony within that time frame (as all our relatives are abroad).
Is the marriage license sufficient for me to go to the border and get the open work permit as her spouse? We would like to just get that over with so I can get a job and save up money for our wedding.
Thanks!
My girlfriend and I have been thinking about getting married for a while. We decided that we would do so once she would get her Study Permit in Canada so we would not have to deal with foreign marriage certificate. I've just arrived in BC from the UK and want to apply for a spousal open work permit. We found out that you first need to get the marriage license then you have to do the ceremony and get the registration to finally get the marriage certificate. The license is only valid in BC for 3 months but it would be impossible for us to have a ceremony within that time frame (as all our relatives are abroad).
Is the marriage license sufficient for me to go to the border and get the open work permit as her spouse? We would like to just get that over with so I can get a job and save up money for our wedding.
Thanks!
#2
Re: Is a marriage license sufficient for an open work permit application?
We would like to just get that over with so I can get a job and save up money for our wedding.
You have to jump through some hoops to prove a common-law relationship. Any of these documents would help:
- joint bank accounts or credit cards
- joint home ownership
- a joint residential lease
- joint rental payments
- joint utility bills (electricity, heat, water, telephone)
- sharing of household expenses
- joint purchases of household items
- correspondence addressed to either partner or both partners at a single address
- photos of holidays you've been on together
- e-mails you've sent each other
#3
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,020
Re: Is a marriage license sufficient for an open work permit application?
Completely off-topic, but Judy, did you know that a quote of yours starts off the "Vancouver and Victoria" chapter of Fodor's Pacific Northwest?
You probably do know that. I was just a little surprised.
You probably do know that. I was just a little surprised.
#4
Re: Is a marriage license sufficient for an open work permit application?
You probably do know that. I was just a little surprised.
x
#5
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,020
Re: Is a marriage license sufficient for an open work permit application?
Vancouver is situated in a gorgeous setting. You need at least one full day in Vancouver. On the other hand, it has so much to offer that you could spend a week here.
- Judy in Calgary
- Judy in Calgary