Tototoro

Hey everyone,

First time posting....in a bit of a debacle.....

I'm Canadian while my girlfriend is British. We met when I was studying over in England and have been together now for 2 years. She came over this past summer and absolutely loved it. I am back in Canada and am looking at how to apply/sponsor her into coming over to Canada. The issue is however, we have not lived together for a full year. I was in University up North while she worked down south in Cambridge.....I guess what I'm asking is.....What is the best route to take in applying for her to come over? Work visa? I can't do the sponsor a spouse I'm guessing....any ideas? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance everyone.

Former Lancastrian

If shes under 30 then the IEC programme is a good start. Get her to read this link and apply when it opens probably very early 2014
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca...nce/index.aspx

Tototoro

We were looking at this option a few months back. But from my understanding is that after that year she will have to leave? Or is it possible for her to extend her stay after as long as the company is willing to keep her on?

hpka

It is, I did a similar thing. Basically come over on IEC and find a job that's willing to do the paperwork etc (I offered to pay all the fees etc) to do either the Provincial Nomination Program for your Province (btw, the rest of this reply assumes the BC PNP) or the Federal Skilled Worker Program (PNP being the preferable one usually). Get the application in as soon as you are able ideally 4-6 months before the end of the IEC visa.

IF you are accepted, the BC PNP Program (and I believe others too) can issue you a letter that you can take to the border to get a new Work Permit that will cover the time while your PR application is processing.

Essentially you come in on IEC then transition to PNP stream...

Tototoro

I'm from Alberta but I'm going to assume that the process wouldn't be too different. How long have you been in Canada now hpka? And how old were you when you did this if you don't mind me asking?

hpka

I've been here 4 years (since I landed on an IEC visa, although it was a BUNAC visa back then). I was 26 when I started all this and 28 when I got my PR through the PNP route.

Tototoro

I would ask for advice on getting the PR etc.....but I think we'll tackle one hurdle at a time! I hope you're enjoying it out over here!

hpka

My main advice is research all the routes available (at the moment, focusing mainly on her as an individual, rather than you sponsoring her) on cic.gc.ca and the appropriate body for the Alberta PNP program. Once you know what's available and what to do to qualify for each, work out the most realistic plan (e.g. I decided that PNP was the best plan, because I could go down that route with the Federal Skilled Worker program as an alternative/back up, but as I did so, I would accumulate enough time for the Canadian Experience Class).

Sounds a bit like I'm telling you to go off and read the book, please don't think that's the nature of my response. More it's from being in the same situation, I felt a lot better knowing that I had researched realistic options from an authoritative source (the CIC/BC PNP) and knew what I could do and what I would try instead in case one route didn't work out. Fortunately, and again due to preparation and careful research, my main plan did work.

Having IEC visas to get through the door is a big advantage BTW. You're not asking an employer to hire without meeting their employee. Having knowledge is too as you will find most employers (and certainly most managers within) will turn to you for your knowledge on this matter as they may not know themselves, or base it on urban legends.

Tototoro

Yea, I agree that the IEC will be a great step through the door for her as long as the company is willing to keep her on afterwards etc. I'll have to look more into the different types of routes available if this one doesn't pan out.....

Just a question about the IEC. Do you choose the dates which you want it to begin or do they automatically set it from ie. Sept 2014 - Sept2015? My girlfriend is doing a Masters this year so the earliest she would come out here would probably be September time. I was just wondering whether or not this would be an issue to those issuing the IEC.

Novocastrian

No problem. She'd have 12 months from date of issuance to activate the first year. September would be fine. She can also apply for a second year without leaving Canada.

Also, if you cohabit (and document that fact) for the 12 months, you could apply for common law spousal sponsorship on her behalf even if the employer wouldn't play ball.

Tototoro

Thats awesome!! I didn't even think of that possibility of combining the two! Thanks for that! Thought it's still no easy task, these visas are not looking as dim as I originally thought....haha

chanceUK

since you can get 2 iec visas - you'll have your girlfriend sponsored before the second year is up.

This is how I got in - 1 year iec (while living with boyfriend in Ontario, collecting evidence of a marriage like relationship). I had PR 6 months into the 2nd iec visa

tdavies

I had no problems getting a second 1 year IEC visa, if i recall you're allowed 3 of them before you're 30.

However, you can't "renew" them, you have to go through the entire process again when applying. I ended up having to return to the UK for 2 months waiting for the second one to be approved.

Worth saving a copy of all the forms and info for each, made completing the second application much easier having a previous successful one to reference when filling out the lengthy forms.

Siouxie

Not quite, it's a maximum of 2 ( 2 x 1 year) or 1 if you are Irish or Australian (they get a 2 year one). You can apply provided you are under 31 at the time of application - 35 for Ireland and Australia.

If you are waiting for a 2nd IEC WHP, you can apply to change your status to visitor - that way you don't need to leave Canada during the interval.

Tototoro

You've all been a great help! Thank you! And keep any other suggestions/ideas coming please! They're very much appreciated!!