Hi all,

So basically, there is nothing specific to my thread, I just need any advice or help possible on making my potential move to Nova Scotia as painless as possible.

So 3 and a half years a go I met my beautiful Canadian girlfriend in South Korea. She has decided to go back to Nova Scotia to study for a year. So we are trying to figure out the best way of getting me in the country working. I will be arriving on Saturday on a one way ticket as a tourist. I have no skills as a worker.

Basically, we have considered marriage as soon as possible to hopefully make things easier. However according to the CIC website, there is a 86 day processing time for Step 1 alone (for people living outisde of Canada)! I was wondering if this would be an option for me as I would only be in Canada as a visitor? Then, am I right in thinking that I would get a work permit after step 1 is accepted?

If not, the other option is to apply for the IEC working holiday visa when it becomes available again next year.

Whichever option I take, obviously I wont be able to work for a while.

Can anybody advise any other options for us to research?

Secondly, does anybody know about car insurance?

I have read somewhere on the www that the Canadian government cover toursits with a free basic insurance for 3 months. Is this correct? I will be given a car on arrival and obviously want to drive it however I am concerned that it will take me some time to get car insurance.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Answers above, hope it helps a little...

I can see a unpleasant conversation with immigration coming up.

Yep, rather him than me...

some say Halifax is relaxed at the port of entry but I have also heard of others being sent home and not allowed back in.
Please be cautious with this one way flight thing.

My 20 year old son flew in without us, before us, in July last year. He was staying with Canadian girlfriend until we were due to arrive a few weeks later. They gave him quite a grilling and he did have a return ticket. So be careful.

Would it maybe be worth purchasing a return ticket?

What are her intentions after coming back for 1 year to study?
Pointless applying for common law sponsorship if shes going to be possibly leaving Canada.
Unless you find a company willing to apply for a Labour Market Opinion you wont be able to work.
Staying the 12 months might present problems. You will need to convince CBSA you will leave the country and have sufficient funds and medical insurance to cover you while you are here.
IEC wont open up until Dec or Jan. Do you qualify for IEC
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca...ex.aspx?view=d
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/index.asp
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/index.asp
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigra...sor/spouse.asp

I will actually be landing in Toronto before a connecting flight to Halifax. Ok, sounds like I should buy an outbound ticket then. Do you think if I buy one to the states, it would look dodgy? Or should I just buy a return to the UK?

I'd buy one to THE UK. You might need it so you might as well buy one you are likely to use...

Yes she is intending on staying after her year of study and yes I qualify for the IEC. I will just have to wait for Dec/Jan and I assume, return home to get the visa then (for the IEC). But as we want to marry anyway, I would rather start the process for Spousal visas etc to then apply for PR status. But by the looks of the waiting times, that could take over a year. Do you recommend taking a copy of bank statements to present to immigration?

I recommend taking any documentation that will show your relationship with the girlfriend, medical insurance coverage, proof of funds, return ticket as some of those CBSA officers can be funny buggers at times

And he doesn't mean funny HaHa.

If I booked a flight from Vancouver to San Francsico (which is a possible trip for me anyway), and showed them that I would be leaving the country that way, do you think Immigration would be OK with that?

I dont see why not it shows you intend to leave Canada on a certain date.
No return ticket is proof you will leave just an indication that you will.
Same as people saying they wont verbally work while here then get caught working or overstaying.

Update:

Immigration only asked why I was here. That was it. No sweat. I did however buy a flight from Vancouver to San Francisco using Alaska Airlines fully flex option as a precaution. Didnt need to show it and then got a full refund after I arrived. Easy.

Can anybody recommend any good car insurance companies? I will be getting my NS license on Friday.