Moving to Canada for grad school in fall, getting married in June

[backyardrobin]

Hi,

I(US/Canada dual citizen living in the US) will be starting a graduate program in in Canada in September. My fiance(not a citizen of the US or Canada, currently finishing an undergrad program in the US) and I will be married in mid-June. We are looking for the most effective way for her to move to Canada with me in the fall.

What procedure would best guarantee that she can move with me? My understanding is that we could apply outland, but I am not clear on processing times and if she could get a visa to come in September if the application is still under review then. I also have the option of moving to Canada in July or August. If it possible that she could get a visa of some kind then and apply inland? Although it would be much better if she could get an OWP, we have enough savings that it is not essential.

Thank you!

 

[canuck78]

Hi,

I(US/Canada dual citizen living in the US) will be starting a graduate program in in Canada in September. My fiance(not a citizen of the US or Canada, currently finishing an undergrad program in the US) and I will be married in mid-June. We are looking for the most effective way for her to move to Canada with me in the fall.

What procedure would best guarantee that she can move with me? My understanding is that we could apply outland, but I am not clear on processing times and if she could get a visa to come in September if the application is still under review then. I also have the option of moving to Canada in July or August. If it possible that she could get a visa of some kind then and apply inland? Although it would be much better if she could get an OWP, we have enough savings that it is not essential.

Thank you!

She should attempt to get a TRV. Approval for SOWP will often depend on how much of a relationship history you have. Have you been living together. Dating for a long time with lots of relationship proof including pictures or is this an arranged marriage?

 

[backyardrobin]

She should attempt to get a TRV. Approval will often depend on how much of a relationship history you have. Have you been living together. Dating for a long time with lots of relationship proof including pictures or is this an arranged marriage?

Thank you for the reply, I will read about that. We've been dating for about a year and have plenty of photos of activities/trips together. All of our friends as well as both sets of parents can attest to our relationship. She is currently staying with my family and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future (until we both leave to Canada, hopefully), but we did not live together before March.

 

[canuck78]

Thank you for the reply, I will read about that. We've been dating for about a year and have plenty of photos of activities/trips together. All of our friends as well as both sets of parents can attest to our relationship. She is currently staying with my family and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future (until we both leave to Canada, hopefully), but we did not live together before March.

We see that many couple that get married between approval of their study permit and moving to Canada often get their SOWP refused due to lack of relationship proof. This is mostly in cases of arranged marriages or more conservative cultures where there is proof of the marriage and chats but very little time doing things together and living together.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Hi,

I(US/Canada dual citizen living in the US) will be starting a graduate program in in Canada in September. My fiance(not a citizen of the US or Canada, currently finishing an undergrad program in the US) and I will be married in mid-June. We are looking for the most effective way for her to move to Canada with me in the fall.

What procedure would best guarantee that she can move with me? My understanding is that we could apply outland, but I am not clear on processing times and if she could get a visa to come in September if the application is still under review then. I also have the option of moving to Canada in July or August. If it possible that she could get a visa of some kind then and apply inland? Although it would be much better if she could get an OWP, we have enough savings that it is not essential.

Thank you!

You haven't actually said what country she is from. Assuming she is not visa-exempt, she needs to apply for a TRV to come to Canada. With a Canadian spouse and only temporary status in her current country of residence, chances of approval would be lower.

If she gets a TRV, she can come with you and you can apply inland. If she doesn't, then she must remain outside of Canada and you can apply outland.