Go Back  British Expats > Living & Moving Abroad > Canada
Reload this Page >

Is a marriage license sufficient for an open work permit application?

Is a marriage license sufficient for an open work permit application?

Old Aug 9th 2008, 4:34 am
  #1  
Just Joined
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9
vloop is an unknown quantity at this point
Default 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!
vloop is offline  
Old Aug 9th 2008, 4:48 am
  #2  
Now on Vancouver Island
 
Judy in Calgary's Avatar
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Location: Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
Posts: 6,935
Judy in Calgary has a reputation beyond reputeJudy in Calgary has a reputation beyond reputeJudy in Calgary has a reputation beyond reputeJudy in Calgary has a reputation beyond reputeJudy in Calgary has a reputation beyond reputeJudy in Calgary has a reputation beyond reputeJudy in Calgary has a reputation beyond reputeJudy in Calgary has a reputation beyond reputeJudy in Calgary has a reputation beyond reputeJudy in Calgary has a reputation beyond reputeJudy in Calgary has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Is a marriage license sufficient for an open work permit application?

Originally Posted by vloop
Is the marriage license sufficient for me to go to the border and get the open work permit as her spouse?
No.

We would like to just get that over with so I can get a job and save up money for our wedding.
If you've lived together for at least 12-months in a committed relationship, you'd be able to get your spousal open work permit on the basis of being a common-law partner.

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
x
Judy in Calgary is offline  
Old Aug 9th 2008, 6:31 am
  #3  
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,020
bazzz is an unknown quantity at this point
Default 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.
bazzz is offline  
Old Aug 9th 2008, 4:40 pm
  #4  
Now on Vancouver Island
 
Judy in Calgary's Avatar
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Location: Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
Posts: 6,935
Judy in Calgary has a reputation beyond reputeJudy in Calgary has a reputation beyond reputeJudy in Calgary has a reputation beyond reputeJudy in Calgary has a reputation beyond reputeJudy in Calgary has a reputation beyond reputeJudy in Calgary has a reputation beyond reputeJudy in Calgary has a reputation beyond reputeJudy in Calgary has a reputation beyond reputeJudy in Calgary has a reputation beyond reputeJudy in Calgary has a reputation beyond reputeJudy in Calgary has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Is a marriage license sufficient for an open work permit application?

Originally Posted by bazzz
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?
I had no idea. Thanks for telling me.

You probably do know that. I was just a little surprised.
You were surprised? I am surprised.
x
Judy in Calgary is offline  
Old Aug 9th 2008, 6:13 pm
  #5  
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,020
bazzz is an unknown quantity at this point
Default 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
You should start demanding royalties.
bazzz is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.