harryg7

Hi,

To cut a long story short, I am looking to temporarily/permanently move to Canada ASAP, and I need advice on how best to go about this (if possible).

I met a girl around 4 months ago from Canada and I've decided to take the plunge and go over there to be with her.

In summary:

- I am 23 years old (male)
- I have a clean criminal record
- No medical problems whatsoever
- I am a Product Manager (IT/Software)
- I do not have any offers of employment from a Canadian company (haven't started yet)
- I have sufficient funds to support myself
- I have no children or dependents
- I'd be moving to Ottawa / Ontario
- I'm competent in speaking/writing/listening to English. I speak minimal French.

... Where should I start? What would be the best route for me? What hurdles could I incur?

Any advice would be massively appreciated! (Is it just me or is the 'CIC' incredibly confusing?).

Thanks in advance.

Harry

dbd33

You need one of them two year IEC visa thingies. Get it, enter as a tourist, find a job, activate the visa and that gives you long enough to see if it's worth being in the tundra in order to, er, bond.

harryg7

Looks like I've missed the boat for one of those IEC visas!

JamesM

I think there should be some more in the new year.

Knuckle down, get organised and start saving.

Novocastrian

Does she have an opinion on that?

harryg7

- Of course, she is wanting me to come over. Could she sponsor me?

Aviator

No

Novocastrian

Not now. But if, as an IT thingy, you could get your current employer to allow you to work remotely from Ottawa, you could go there for 6 months as a visitor, shack up with her for six months, then go home for a week or less and repeat.

At that point you'd qualify as common law and then she can sponsor you inland for spousal PR.

This might not work but it also might.

christmasoompa

No, not until you're either married, or have lived together as husband and wife for a year or more.

As suggested above, your best bet is an IEC visa, that will be your quickest and easiest visa option by a mile. Applications for the 2017 program will open later this year (or possibly early next) and you might get lucky and get selected in an early draw, so you could be out there in 4-6 months time.

Realistically, that's your only visa option, as I just can't see any employer being prepared to spend $1000, wait months and go through lots of paperwork and hassle to hire you on a normal work permit at only 23 years old without specialist skills. Sorry, but at least you've got the IEC option open to you, and with that you'll be work authorised so not need to find an employer prepared to sponsor you, and hopefully you will be able to then get Permanent Residency from that too (either from your gf sponsoring you once you've lived together for the year, or an employer doing so if you can impress them and make yourself invaluable).

Failing all of the above, it's time to get hitched so she can sponsor you. I'll get my hat.

HTH, best of luck.

SchnookoLoly

+1 for everything here. Go over on an IEC visa, or get married and then she can sponsor you. (Note, though, if you do get married so that she can sponsor you, you will need a TON of extra proof that your relationship is legit and genuine - you'll be scrutinized quite closely by CIC for a 'shotgun' wedding!)

Rete

Before marrying her, have you even met each other in person? Helps to have a face to face before stepping in front of a JP.


Love Ottawa. That is where my husband was living when we were courting before he emigrated to the US. Miss the Tulip Festival and Winterlude and skating on the Rideau Canal and the fireworks on Canada Day.

Siouxie

Wouldn't have to leave, necessarily, could apply for a 6 month extension to visitor status.

IEC would be the way I'd suggest though.

harryg7

Hi all,

Thanks for your really helpful replies.

Yes I've met her multiple times, spent about a month and half together in total.

So in theory I could go over for 6 months as a visitor and in that time, still apply for the EIC Visa whilst I am over there?

Failing that, after 6 months just extend 6 month visitor visa and hopefully apply for sponsorship once a year is up?

Harry

Novocastrian

Yes, in principle, but you would have no work permit and therefore couldn't work for a year.

If you can work remotely for a UK employer (who doesn't have any Canadian customers or clients) then you don't need a work permit.

Like everyone else though says, IEC is your best shot.

harryg7

Thanks!

Would it not be worthwhile me applying for a Temporary Resident Permit or Temporary Resident visa?

Especially if I can work remotely