Common-law sponsership questions.

[Restonivek]

Hi thanks for taking the time to help out.
While travelling in Korea as a tourist, I met my fiance...
I will be returning to Korea as a tourist once again to live with her for over a year to apply as
a common-law sponser.

1. Can I apply as a common-law sponser as a tourist in Korea?

2. I will have to come back to Canada after the tourist visa is over and then back to Korea for another 6 months to fufill the 1 year rule. Would this be a problem?

3. I do not have a 4 year university degree to be able to work in Korea. Is there any other way for me to
stay in Korea for a period longer than 6 months (1+ year)? ie. Work for a Canadian company... etc.

4. Can tourist legally marry in Korea?

As you can tell, me and my fiance are in a dilema. We really want to start a life and family here in Canada.
it just seems hard to do so. Its killing us both being apart and the thought that
i may not be able to be with her just kills me. What options do I have?

Thank you~

[thaiguy]

1.  No.  Your status in the country can't be "tourist" if you're sponsoring your partner under the "common-law" category.

2.  Yes, it's a problem.  You can't sponsor under the "common-law" category with a tourist visa.  For Korea, you'd need either a teaching visa or a long-term employment visa.  But without a degree, you probably wouldn't qualify for those.

3.  Without a degree, it's unlikely you'd meet the requirements Korea sets for employing foreigners in its territory.  In their opinion, if you are hired without a degree, you're taking a job that a Korean should be doing.

4.  Yes.  And this appears to be your best option.  Get married and sponsor your spouse under the "family class."

[thaiguy]

I have some updated information for you. 

Some friends in Korea tell me that after you marry your Korean girlfriend, she can sponsor "you" for an F-2 visa.  That will give you all of the same rights as a Korean person except for voting.  So that would solve your immediate problem of how to stay there for a long time, etc.

Hope this helps.

TG

[Restonivek]

Thanks alot thaiguy for your help.
reading your answers i was going "oh no", "i'm screwed"...
knowing i can marry her made my day.
as for working in Korea, I had no plans. I basically was planning on living on the money i've saved
over the last 10 years to be with her.

Thanks again for your help~

[thaiguy]

You're very welcome!