How Likely Am I to get a SOWP? (Spouse Open Work Permit)

[Eruu]

Hi, (I am an American citizen), I plan on marrying my girlfriend (She's coming from the Phillippines) after the first 1 or 2 months of our stay in Ontario next winter of 2020. As much as I'd love to marry her sooner upon our arrival, I'm not sure if that will look good to the person reviewing my documents/application as they might think we're only marrying for for the eligibility to stay in Canada. By that time, we would've planned our marriage for about 1 year total. She is going to start being an international full-time college student by January 2020. She is going to Canada with a student visa of course while I am going as a visitor with my U.S. passport. So...

How Likely Am I to get a SOWP?
(Spouse Open Work Permit)


Here's some background info + details of what I've done and plan on doing
(Please read the following and let me know if there's anything I should or shouldn't do):

- My girlfriend and I actually genuinely love each other and want to physically be together. We want to just do a civil wedding ceremony first so we can have our legally married status (allowing us to live together). I'm not sure if we'll have any friends/relatives attending as they live in seperate countries and it will be too troublesome to have them come over. However, around 5 years after the time we arrive in Canada, we'll go to another country to have another marriage, but with friends/family invited.

- We will definitely take lots of pictures together as well, especially since the photos might be needed to be shown. Currently, we're still doing a LDR and pretty much talk mainly on Discord, using text + voice/video chat. Currently, the total messages we've sent to each other is at 46,000+ and by the time we go to Canada, the number would probably be close to 200,000 messages. We've also voice/video chatted numerous times as well and sent each other many selfies.
(I hope it's not an issue, but we've dirty talked as well and shared "lewd" stuff with each other. I don't know if it's gonna make it awkward for the person reading, but hopefully, that proves even more that we want each other lol.)

- We'll try to show our letters/texts from family members/friends that shows they're aware of our marriage

- We share social media login infos.

- We'll probably have each other as dependents on life insurance by then I think.

- If it's possible, since we're both coming from different counties, we'll try to get a notarized affidavits in Canada

- I will bring an experience letter from my employer

- She's bought me food I really like/wanted with Doordash a few times, wrote me poems, sung me songs, and bought me a nice, very thoughtful Valentine's Day gift

- In return, I've poured my heart out by having spent countless hours drawing many pictures of her for her specifically since she strongly loves and appreciates my art

- I have pretty strong ties to my home country because my parents + brother lives there as well as a majority of my belongings since I won't bring much to Canada as a visitor other than the following: high school transcript + diploma + US college transcript + associates degree + IDs/Passport + Bank Paperwork, clothes, hygiene stuff, potential materials/supplies needed for work, my phone

- I have traveled outside of the United States in 2013 to Hong Kong, Beijing and Thailand which spanned for a period of 2 consecutive months. Before that, I have also traveled to Hong Kong around 2 times around the year 2001.

- I am currently looking for a job in the United States where I live. I should have at least somewhere between $18,670 - $25,000 CAD in my own bank account by the time I arrive in Canada. I will have accumulated around 7 or 8 months of work experience total working in a restaurant, however, I'm not sure how much work experience is needed to be accepted. I believe it should be enough for me to support my own living there for at least 1 year.

- My girlfriend will be staying in Canada for 5 years from January 2020. (2 years of study in science field + 3 years with job/work visa) I believe her parents will help her pay for her own tuition + living expenses for the time being. Afterwards, she'll have to leave when the visa expires.

(We won't spend much money on anything other than our basic needs, wifi, etc. Also, we will split the rent at a decently priced apartment. If the site I visited goes by CAD, then we should each be paying around $492 CAD per month x 12 = totaling up to $5910 CAD a year.)

- I'll bring everything listed in that picture

(Side note: My spouse by then will also bring and show them her necessary/required documents as well.)

Additional Questions (Please answer if you can):
1.) Should we also say that we're not going to leave right when her 5 years are over? I saw that some people got their application rejected because "the person deciding didn't like that they want to leave after" or something.

2.) Also, for those of you who's successfully gotten the SOWP, it would be great if you can share with me what crucial stuff you had to bring as well as what else made you qualify.

3.) Does my travel history, ties, purpose of visit, personal assets, financial status and any other potential factors make me qualify? (Side note, I will let them know that I want to stay in Canada to work, gain valuable job experience, contribute to the company and live with my wife.)

4.) Are there any important things in particular I should say or not say? (Such as how long I plan to stay, if they prefer that I leave right when my spouse's visa ends, etc.)

5.) I probably won't have a job offer before I enter Canada, but I do have an Associates in Art Degree. (art + game design classes) So, will I fall under the 0, A, B category if I look for a job in that field? Also, will my past job of only having worked at a restaurant (C level) have a bad effect?


(If my list above has anything that's missing or not needed/required, please let me know. Hopefully, preparing/planning around 8 months ahead can give me a strong chance of getting the SOWP. Thank you for reading, I hope you guys can help me out in succeeding on one attempt. I really don't want to leave her alone in Canada while I have to wait in the U.S. for a while to go right back when my 6 months of stay + possible extension is over. I know the processing time can typically last anywhere between 1-4 months. I really want to make her happy and physically be there for her.)

 

[Eruu]

I did the eligibility application below and it told me that "I may be eligible to come to Canada to work with an open work permit."


What would you like to do in Canada?
Work

How long are you planning to stay in Canada?
Temporarily - more than 6 months

Select the code that matches the one on your passport.
USA (United States of America)

What is your current country/territory of residence? If you are presently in Canada, you should select Canada.
United States of America

Do you have a family member who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and is 18 years or older?
No

What is your date of birth?
June 14, 1999

Do you have a written offer from an employer in Canada?
No

Do you plan to work in one of the following categories?

• Athletes and coaches
• Aviation accident or incident investigators
• Business visitors
• Civil aviation inspectors
• Clergy
• Convention organizers
• Crew members
• Emergency service providers
• Examiners and evaluators
• Expert witnesses or investigators
• Family members of foreign representatives
• Foreign government officers
• Foreign representatives
• Health-care students
• Highly-skilled workers and researchers (Global Skills Strategy)
• Judges, referees and similar officials
• Military personnel
• News reporters, film and media crews
• Performing artists
• Public speakers

Yes


Will you be coming to Canada with a spouse or common-law partner who is, or will be, working in Canada as a foreign worker or who is, or will be, a full-time student at a university, community college, CEGEP or other authorized educational institution?
Yes


Are you of working age, and a dependent of a person who is (or will be):

• working in Canada,
• or a full-time student at a designated learning institution?

Yes


Have you recently graduated from a participating Canadian post-secondary institution for which your study program was full-time and a minimum of eight months?
No


What is your marital status?
Married


What is your province of destination? If visiting multiple provinces, select the one in which you will be spending most of your time.
Ontario


What type of work permit do you want to apply for?
A work permit for a spouse, common-law partner or child of a skilled worker or international student


Are you accompanying a family member that has status in Canada, or has recently been approved to come to Canada?
Yes


Which type of travel document did you use or will you use to enter Canada?
Passport


Have you ever committed, been arrested for, been charged with, or convicted of any criminal offence in any country?
No


Have you had a medical exam performed by an IRCC authorized panel physician (doctor) within the last 12 months?
Yes


Do you want to submit an application for a family member?
No


Are you giving someone access to your application?
No


There are fees associated with this application. Will you be paying your fees or are you fee exempt?
Yes, I will be paying my application fees.


Are you able to make a digital copy of your documents with a scanner or camera?
Yes


Will you be paying your application fees online? To pay online, you can use a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, China Union Pay) or a debit card (Visa Debit, Debit MasterCard or Interac).
Yes

 

[Eruu]

Can anyone help me please?

 

[Bryanna]

Hi, (I am an American citizen), I plan on marrying my girlfriend (She's coming from the Phillippines) after the first 1 or 2 months of our stay in Ontario next winter of 2020. As much as I'd love to marry her sooner upon our arrival, I'm not sure if that will look good to the person reviewing my documents/application as they might think we're only marrying for for the eligibility to stay in Canada. By that time, we would've planned our marriage for about 1 year total. She is going to start being an international full-time college student by January 2020. She is going to Canada with a student visa of course while I am going as a visitor with my U.S. passport. So...

How Likely Am I to get a SOWP?
(Spouse Open Work Permit)


Here's some background info + details of what I've done and plan on doing
(Please read the following and let me know if there's anything I should or shouldn't do):

- My girlfriend and I actually genuinely love each other and want to physically be together. We want to just do a civil wedding ceremony first so we can have our legally married status (allowing us to live together). I'm not sure if we'll have any friends/relatives attending as they live in seperate countries and it will be too troublesome to have them come over. However, around 5 years after the time we arrive in Canada, we'll go to another country to have another marriage, but with friends/family invited.

- We will definitely take lots of pictures together as well, especially since the photos might be needed to be shown. Currently, we're still doing a LDR and pretty much talk mainly on Discord, using text + voice/video chat. Currently, the total messages we've sent to each other is at 46,000+ and by the time we go to Canada, the number would probably be close to 200,000 messages. We've also voice/video chatted numerous times as well and sent each other many selfies.
(I hope it's not an issue, but we've dirty talked as well and shared "lewd" stuff with each other. I don't know if it's gonna make it awkward for the person reading, but hopefully, that proves even more that we want each other lol.)

- We'll try to show our letters/texts from family members/friends that shows they're aware of our marriage

- We share social media login infos.

- We'll probably have each other as dependents on life insurance by then I think.

- If it's possible, since we're both coming from different counties, we'll try to get a notarized affidavits in Canada

- I will bring an experience letter from my employer

- She's bought me food I really like/wanted with Doordash a few times, wrote me poems, sung me songs, and bought me a nice, very thoughtful Valentine's Day gift

- In return, I've poured my heart out by having spent countless hours drawing many pictures of her for her specifically since she strongly loves and appreciates my art

- I have pretty strong ties to my home country because my parents + brother lives there as well as a majority of my belongings since I won't bring much to Canada as a visitor other than the following: high school transcript + diploma + US college transcript + associates degree + IDs/Passport + Bank Paperwork, clothes, hygiene stuff, potential materials/supplies needed for work, my phone

- I have traveled outside of the United States in 2013 to Hong Kong, Beijing and Thailand which spanned for a period of 2 consecutive months. Before that, I have also traveled to Hong Kong around 2 times around the year 2001.

- I am currently looking for a job in the United States where I live. I should have at least somewhere between $18,670 - $25,000 CAD in my own bank account by the time I arrive in Canada. I will have accumulated around 7 or 8 months of work experience total working in a restaurant, however, I'm not sure how much work experience is needed to be accepted. I believe it should be enough for me to support my own living there for at least 1 year.

- My girlfriend will be staying in Canada for 5 years from January 2020. (2 years of study in science field + 3 years with job/work visa) I believe her parents will help her pay for her own tuition + living expenses for the time being. Afterwards, she'll have to leave when the visa expires.

(We won't spend much money on anything other than our basic needs, wifi, etc. Also, we will split the rent at a decently priced apartment. If the site I visited goes by CAD, then we should each be paying around $492 CAD per month x 12 = totaling up to $5910 CAD a year.)

- I'll bring everything listed in that picture

(Side note: My spouse by then will also bring and show them her necessary/required documents as well.)

Additional Questions (Please answer if you can):
1.) Should we also say that we're not going to leave right when her 5 years are over? I saw that some people got their application rejected because "the person deciding didn't like that they want to leave after" or something.

2.) Also, for those of you who's successfully gotten the SOWP, it would be great if you can share with me what crucial stuff you had to bring as well as what else made you qualify.

3.) Does my travel history, ties, purpose of visit, personal assets, financial status and any other potential factors make me qualify? (Side note, I will let them know that I want to stay in Canada to work, gain valuable job experience, contribute to the company and live with my wife.)

4.) Are there any important things in particular I should say or not say? (Such as how long I plan to stay, if they prefer that I leave right when my spouse's visa ends, etc.)

5.) I probably won't have a job offer before I enter Canada, but I do have an Associates in Art Degree. (art + game design classes) So, will I fall under the 0, A, B category if I look for a job in that field? Also, will my past job of only having worked at a restaurant (C level) have a bad effect?


(If my list above has anything that's missing or not needed/required, please let me know. Hopefully, preparing/planning around 8 months ahead can give me a strong chance of getting the SOWP. Thank you for reading, I hope you guys can help me out in succeeding on one attempt. I really don't want to leave her alone in Canada while I have to wait in the U.S. for a while to go right back when my 6 months of stay + possible extension is over. I know the processing time can typically last anywhere between 1-4 months. I really want to make her happy and physically be there for her.)

You're not eligible to apply for a SOWP until you are married or you have cohabited with your girlfriend for a minimum of 12 continuous months in a common-law relationship.

If you don't want to get married at this point, you can enter Canada as a visitor. As an American, you would probably be allowed to stay for 6 months as a visitor. Do bring evidence of your ties to the US + adequate finances to support your stay, etc.

Of course, you wouldn't tell the immigration officer at the POE that you want to stay for 6 months + don't volunteer information unless you are asked.

Do keep in mind that you won't be able to work for any Canadian companies nor earn an income from Canadian sources while you are a visitor.

Shortly before the 6 months expires (around 30 days prior to that), you must apply to extend your visitor status. You could mention that you are working towards becoming common-law

 

[Eruu]

You're not eligible to apply for a SOWP until you are married or you have cohabited with your girlfriend for a minimum of 12 continuous months in a common-law relationship.

If you don't want to get married at this point, you can enter Canada as a visitor. As an American, you would probably be allowed to stay for 6 months as a visitor. Do bring evidence of your ties to the US + adequate finances to support your stay, etc.

Of course, you wouldn't tell the immigration officer at the POE that you want to stay for 6 months + don't volunteer information unless you are asked.

Do keep in mind that you won't be able to work for any Canadian companies nor earn an income from Canadian sources while you are a visitor.

Shortly before the 6 months expires (around 30 days prior to that), you must apply to extend your visitor status. You could mention that you are working towards becoming common-law

Hi there, in that case, will I be able to do the following to be eligible and apply for SOWP?
1.) Go to Canada as a visitor
2.) Marry my girlfriend after my arrival
3.) Soon after, I can apply for SOWP with her? (Since the process will take a while, we'll want to apply early in case so I'll end up having enough time to resubmit an application in case they decline it)
(I want to be able to get my work permit as soon as possible so I'll still have enough money as proof of funds.)

Also, in terms of the proof of funds, if my girlfriend's visa expires in 5 years, do I have to show the (proof of funds x years on her visa) = what I must show? Or can I just show enough money for at least 1 or 2 years of living?
Do you know how much the proof of funds will be?

 

[Bryanna]

Hi there, in that case, will I be able to do the following to be eligible and apply for SOWP?
1.) Go to Canada as a visitor
2.) Marry my girlfriend after my arrival
3.) Soon after, I can apply for SOWP with her? (Since the process will take a while, we'll want to apply early in case so I'll end up having enough time to resubmit an application in case they decline it)
(I want to be able to get my work permit as soon as possible so I'll still have enough money as proof of funds.)

Also, in terms of the proof of funds, if my girlfriend's visa expires in 5 years, do I have to show the (proof of funds x years on her visa) = what I must show? Or can I just show enough money for at least 1 or 2 years of living?
Do you know how much the proof of funds will be?

1. You won't be able to apply for the SOWP soon after you get married. It could take between 6-8 weeks to get the marriage certificate (some people have received theirs in even 2-3 weeks).

2. Your girlfriend won't have a visa for 5 years. Does she have a study permit?

 

[Eruu]

1. You won't be able to apply for the SOWP soon after you get married. It could take between 6-8 weeks to get the marriage certificate (some people have received theirs in even 2-3 weeks).

2. Your girlfriend won't have a visa for 5 years. Does she have a study permit?

1.) Oh I mean, she's going to be an international student at a Canadian college when we go there, so yes she will have one.

2.) If I receive some extra money from a family member or friend, will that be able to count towards my proof of funds?

 

[Eruu]

Can anyone help me pls? regarding my main post

 

[Bryanna]

Can anyone help me pls? regarding my main post

Your main post will figure into the picture only after your girlfriend gets a study permit + you guys get married or else live together for at least 12 continuous months as common-law.

Also, you plan to marry her mid-2020 i.e. more than 1 year from now. That, plus the time to get your marriage certificate + by the time, you apply for a SOWP, it would be summer or fall-2020 i.e. you have least another 1-1.5 years before you apply.


In short:
Your 'Come to Canada' SOWP selections are at least 1-1.5 years premature. There's a lot that can happen in this time.

You would want to recheck your SOWP selections (and then post here) when you are ready to apply.


You can also check if there are other options for you to move to Canada on your own without a SOWP

 

[Eruu]

Your main post will figure into the picture only after your girlfriend gets a study permit + you guys get married or else live together for at least 12 continuous months as common-law.

Also, you plan to marry her mid-2020 i.e. more than 1 year from now. That, plus the time to get your marriage certificate + by the time, you apply for a SOWP, it would be summer or fall-2020 i.e. you have least another 1-1.5 years before you apply.


In short:
Your 'Come to Canada' SOWP selections are at least 1-1.5 years premature. There's a lot that can happen in this time.

You would want to recheck your SOWP selections (and then post here) when you are ready to apply.


You can also check if there are other options for you to move to Canada on your own without a SOWP

1.) Ah I see, I chose the SOWP because I don't have enough money for a tuition and I'm currently not a skilled worker with a 0, A, B job. Although, I do have a degree that can help me get a B job when I'm in Canada with a SOWP. I mean, I just wanna be with her as soon as possible. And based on my research, that method seems the easiest for me to temporarily stay in Canada with her during the 5 years duration she'll be there, until we move to the US together afterwards. Also, when I decide to propose and marry, it'll be in 8 - 9 months.

2.)
https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2002-227/page-38.html#h-92
Also, I just hope that I can pass all of these ^ without any problems on the first try. Which is why I'm trying to prepare everything 3/4 of a year ahead. Although, I'm not sure if the things on that specific page are the only things I should pay attention to. (I already listed nearly everything I need to fully qualify)

 

[Bryanna]

1.) Ah I see, I chose the SOWP because I don't have enough money for a tuition and I'm currently not a skilled worker with a 0, A, B job. Although, I do have a degree that can help me get a B job when I'm in Canada with a SOWP. I mean, I just wanna be with her as soon as possible. And based on my research, that method seems the easiest for me to temporarily stay in Canada with her during the 5 years duration she'll be there, until we move to the US together afterwards. Also, when I decide to propose and marry, it'll be in 8 - 9 months.

2.)
https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2002-227/page-38.html#h-92
Also, I just hope that I can pass all of these ^ without any problems on the first try. Which is why I'm trying to prepare everything 3/4 of a year ahead. Although, I'm not sure if the things on that specific page are the only things I should pay attention to. (I already listed nearly everything I need to fully qualify)

Your plans depend on IRCC granting your girlfriend a study permit. Right now you're putting the cart before the horse. I recommend she works on her study permit application first. Everything else would follow that approval

 

[canuck78]

Also depends on you getting the SOWP. Families of international students are not guaranteed permit and visas.

 

[canuck78]

Why aren't you going for a k1 visa if you are a US citizen. Seems much easier than your current plan.

 

[Eruu]

Your plans depend on IRCC granting your girlfriend a study permit. Right now you're putting the cart before the horse. I recommend she works on her study permit application first. Everything else would follow that approval

Ah I see, alright. I just want to make sure that cart is at least loaded with the required, sufficient supplies. My girlfriend just needs to take the tests and I believe she can definitely pass considering she's a very hard worker and has a good academic profile (including a bachelors degree).

(I do also have some slightly risky back-up plan(s) involved if she ends up being unable to go to Canada)

 

[Eruu]

Why aren't you going for a k1 visa if you are a US citizen. Seems much easier than your current plan.

I believe it's because it'll be much harder for her to go to the US for med school and I don't want her to have a tough time when she's been very unhealthily overworking the past month. Also, entering the US seems a bit tough lately especially when her country isn't visa exempt.
(Plus, she wants to go to Canada)