Help with friend becoming a refugee.

[RandomusernameIguess]

Hi, Long story short, I met someone ~ 1.5 years ago, we've been talking lots. We want to start a life together. They're currently in Venezuela. I've been doing some research, and it looks like the easiest way to get them into the country would be through Refugee given the country of origin and the issues going on there. They know basic English, each day they're learning more. Immersion would help immensely with that. They have been to school for a few different things, Engineering, and have worked in Seniors care, healthcare as well, and computer science. Not sure if that makes any difference. It would also just be them coming. Family might consider it in the far future(like 4+ years), but not at all right now or any time soon.


I think the first question I have, is. How do they get here first? Do they just apply for a visitors or tourist visa and then fly over? Or is there another way to get into the country as a Refugee, a document that lets them travel without a visa? I'm more than willing to buy the ticket for them. Are they free to travel within the country after doing so?

The next few questions are, Is it likely that they would be sent back? How long does this take? They're able to stay in the country while their refugee claim is being processed? I would be willing to house them, does this make a difference in the refugee claim being accepted, or accepted faster? Does the Government help out at all with funding? Starting a new life is expensive, and a bit of help with the initial bills and things like buying glasses for them would be much appreciated. I read that help is sometimes given.

Am I to be a sponsorship in this instance? I live a very frugal life, without much expenses and have more than enough money for us to live off of after I've paid bills each month. Though the level might be too low for them to consider it enough? I bring home about 1750 a month, and my expenses are about 1100 including groceries. More than enough to add another person for a while given the lifestyle till they can catch their feet.

Honestly, this is a first for me and them, so if anyone has useful information on anything that I've asked here, or anything that you'd consider important to know, it would be greatly appreciated. I know there are other routes available for immigration, this is just one. If there's a better option open, I'm willing to consider it too. Just given the issues in Venezuela, this might be the right option.

Just trying to figure out the first steps that should be taken. The goal is to obviously live together. So if this whole refugee thing won't let that happen anytime soon, then that's exactly why I'm asking here.

Thanks for your time!

 

[Naturgrl]

Hi, Long story short, I met someone ~ 1.5 years ago, we've been talking lots. We want to start a life together. They're currently in Venezuela. I've been doing some research, and it looks like the easiest way to get them into the country would be through Refugee given the country of origin and the issues going on there. They know basic English, each day they're learning more. Immersion would help immensely with that. They have been to school for a few different things, Engineering, and have worked in Seniors care, healthcare as well, and computer science. Not sure if that makes any difference. It would also just be them coming. Family might consider it in the far future(like 4+ years), but not at all right now or any time soon.


I think the first question I have, is. How do they get here first? Do they just apply for a visitors or tourist visa and then fly over? Or is there another way to get into the country as a Refugee, a document that lets them travel without a visa? I'm more than willing to buy the ticket for them. Are they free to travel within the country after doing so?

The next few questions are, Is it likely that they would be sent back? How long does this take? They're able to stay in the country while their refugee claim is being processed? I would be willing to house them, does this make a difference in the refugee claim being accepted, or accepted faster? Does the Government help out at all with funding? Starting a new life is expensive, and a bit of help with the initial bills and things like buying glasses for them would be much appreciated. I read that help is sometimes given.

Am I to be a sponsorship in this instance? I live a very frugal life, without much expenses and have more than enough money for us to live off of after I've paid bills each month. Though the level might be too low for them to consider it enough? I bring home about 1750 a month, and my expenses are about 1100 including groceries. More than enough to add another person for a while given the lifestyle till they can catch their feet.

Honestly, this is a first for me and them, so if anyone has useful information on anything that I've asked here, or anything that you'd consider important to know, it would be greatly appreciated. I know there are other routes available for immigration, this is just one. If there's a better option open, I'm willing to consider it too. Just given the issues in Venezuela, this might be the right option.

Just trying to figure out the first steps that should be taken. The goal is to obviously live together. So if this whole refugee thing won't let that happen anytime soon, then that's exactly why I'm asking here.

Thanks for your time!

Simply put, the only way to claim asylum is to get a visitor visa and apply for asylum at the airport. Government doesn’t provide much. Maybe put in a shelter or hotel. Will have access to some basic health care. Read through the IRCC website to understand the process.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...7/03/claiming_asylum_incanadawhathappens.html

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...-federal-health-program/coverage-summary.html

 

[scylla]

Hi, Long story short, I met someone ~ 1.5 years ago, we've been talking lots. We want to start a life together. They're currently in Venezuela. I've been doing some research, and it looks like the easiest way to get them into the country would be through Refugee given the country of origin and the issues going on there. They know basic English, each day they're learning more. Immersion would help immensely with that. They have been to school for a few different things, Engineering, and have worked in Seniors care, healthcare as well, and computer science. Not sure if that makes any difference. It would also just be them coming. Family might consider it in the far future(like 4+ years), but not at all right now or any time soon.


I think the first question I have, is. How do they get here first? Do they just apply for a visitors or tourist visa and then fly over? Or is there another way to get into the country as a Refugee, a document that lets them travel without a visa? I'm more than willing to buy the ticket for them. Are they free to travel within the country after doing so?

The next few questions are, Is it likely that they would be sent back? How long does this take? They're able to stay in the country while their refugee claim is being processed? I would be willing to house them, does this make a difference in the refugee claim being accepted, or accepted faster? Does the Government help out at all with funding? Starting a new life is expensive, and a bit of help with the initial bills and things like buying glasses for them would be much appreciated. I read that help is sometimes given.

Am I to be a sponsorship in this instance? I live a very frugal life, without much expenses and have more than enough money for us to live off of after I've paid bills each month. Though the level might be too low for them to consider it enough? I bring home about 1750 a month, and my expenses are about 1100 including groceries. More than enough to add another person for a while given the lifestyle till they can catch their feet.

Honestly, this is a first for me and them, so if anyone has useful information on anything that I've asked here, or anything that you'd consider important to know, it would be greatly appreciated. I know there are other routes available for immigration, this is just one. If there's a better option open, I'm willing to consider it too. Just given the issues in Venezuela, this might be the right option.

Just trying to figure out the first steps that should be taken. The goal is to obviously live together. So if this whole refugee thing won't let that happen anytime soon, then that's exactly why I'm asking here.

Thanks for your time!

If they want to make a refugee claim in Canada, they would need to get a visitor visa / TRV in order to fly to Canada. To be approved for a TRV, they need to show strong ties to their home country (e.g. employment, property) and also show that they have enough funds to cover their trip to Canada and have no plans on remaining in Canada long term.

Otherwise they need to move out of Venezuela and to a different country. Once there are in this different country, they would need to be recognized as a refugee by UNHCR. Once this happens, they would need to look to be sponsored to Canada through a program like Group of Five or the Sponsorship Agreement Holders. These sponsorships typically take around 3 years to process. For the Group of Five program, you would need to find four other people who are financially willing to support the sponsored person. Your income is not going to be enough for sponsorship so you would have to find other people with sufficient income / savings to support your friend.

They cannot stay in Venezuela while the claim is processed. They either need to find their way to Canada legally on a TRV or move to a different country and be recognized as a refugee by UNHCR.

 

[scylla]

Hi, Long story short, I met someone ~ 1.5 years ago, we've been talking lots. We want to start a life together. They're currently in Venezuela. I've been doing some research, and it looks like the easiest way to get them into the country would be through Refugee given the country of origin and the issues going on there. They know basic English, each day they're learning more. Immersion would help immensely with that. They have been to school for a few different things, Engineering, and have worked in Seniors care, healthcare as well, and computer science. Not sure if that makes any difference. It would also just be them coming. Family might consider it in the far future(like 4+ years), but not at all right now or any time soon.


I think the first question I have, is. How do they get here first? Do they just apply for a visitors or tourist visa and then fly over? Or is there another way to get into the country as a Refugee, a document that lets them travel without a visa? I'm more than willing to buy the ticket for them. Are they free to travel within the country after doing so?

The next few questions are, Is it likely that they would be sent back? How long does this take? They're able to stay in the country while their refugee claim is being processed? I would be willing to house them, does this make a difference in the refugee claim being accepted, or accepted faster? Does the Government help out at all with funding? Starting a new life is expensive, and a bit of help with the initial bills and things like buying glasses for them would be much appreciated. I read that help is sometimes given.

Am I to be a sponsorship in this instance? I live a very frugal life, without much expenses and have more than enough money for us to live off of after I've paid bills each month. Though the level might be too low for them to consider it enough? I bring home about 1750 a month, and my expenses are about 1100 including groceries. More than enough to add another person for a while given the lifestyle till they can catch their feet.

Honestly, this is a first for me and them, so if anyone has useful information on anything that I've asked here, or anything that you'd consider important to know, it would be greatly appreciated. I know there are other routes available for immigration, this is just one. If there's a better option open, I'm willing to consider it too. Just given the issues in Venezuela, this might be the right option.

Just trying to figure out the first steps that should be taken. The goal is to obviously live together. So if this whole refugee thing won't let that happen anytime soon, then that's exactly why I'm asking here.

Thanks for your time!

So further summarizing the most obviously options:

- Express Entry / economic immigration - Not an option without knowing English or French well.
- Spousal Sponsorship - requires the two of you to first get married or live together continuously for one year to become common law. ***This may end up being the best option.***
- TRV to claim refugee status in Canada - Most likely won't be approved due to lack of ties but you can certainly try. Your friend needs to show strong ties to their home country / funds to pay for their visit / show they don't have plans to remain in Canada long term.
- Being sponsored as a refugee outside of Canada - Requires your friend to move to a different country first and be recognized as a refugee there. Will also require you to find others in Canada who are willing to financially support their sponsorship or an organization in Canada that is willing to do this.

 

[canuck78]

It’s unclear if you have met in person but since sponsorship may be your only option I would be planning on meeting in person again if not a number of times before getting married. If you end up having to sponsor this person, because getting a TRV as a Venezuelan may be very difficult, it would be advisable to increase your income because 2 people living off of $1750 is not a lot unless you have a large amount of savings that is also subsidizing your life. In order to sponsor a spouse there isn’t an income limit but you do need to show that you can support your family without government support.