Apply from inside or outside CA-NEED ADVICE, PLEASE.

[another_one]

Hi everybody, not only was I reading a lot on this forum but also on cic.ca and now I find myself completely confused and in a need of help.

First, shortly about my situation. My BF (Canadian citizen born in Croatia) and I have met last summer in Croatia while he was on vacation and we spent few months together there. In October, 2013 I visited him in Canada for 2 weeks and went back home where I have a steady job.
This year I’ve asked and been granted unpaid leave from work for one year so I came to Canada on tourist visa in May 2014. I don’t work and I have to pay for my ESL school.
Now, my BF and I have decided to get marry and to apply for my PR but the problem is where to marry and how to apply.

1. If I APPLY FROM INSIDE CANADA, we would marry in Canada to start the process as soon as possibly since it takes lot of time (1,5 year or more, right?). But in that case we are planning a small wedding with just witnesses and non of our family members wouldn’t be on pictures cause they all live in Europe. (Wouldn’t that be suspicious to IO?)
Furthermore, I would be able to get an OWP after the first stage of process is completed (six months or so?) and my request for tourist visa extension would probably been approved if I state in the application that I’m married and gathering the documentation for PR application or that I’m in a process for PR (that’s implied status, right?)
What about a collage? Could I attend a collage while I’m waiting for PR card? Do I need to apply for student visa in that case and is it possible to apply for it from Canada?
And what about medical insurance during that time? (Now I have a travel insurance that I bought in Croatia but it expires within 2 months).

However, I wouldn’t be able to leave the country before the process is over (which is bad because I would have to show up to determine my employment.)
And does anybody know can I get the criminal record check from Croatia without going there personally? I heard it is not possible.


2. If I APPLY FROM OUTSIDE CANADA, we could have a small wedding next year and then there would be some family members on the picture but that means that the whole process would start later OR we could marry here pretty soon and start the process asap (in which case I’m wondering can I have a medical exam here and sent the application from outside?)

In addition to all those questions and puzzles, I don’t actually have any documents (except my passport and Croatian driving license here and I will have to bother my mother to collect whatever is needed and send it to me (birth certificate, criminal record check, what else?) nor my BF and I have many pictures together, non of us like to take pictures so we always avoid it. How many pictures did you send?

I really don’t know what the smartest option in my situation is. Would you please help me? I would like to use this time off work best I can but I feel like my hands are tied and that all I can do is sit and wait,
Is there any option to get the OWP or going to the collage after marring my BF without applying for PR or if I apply from within Canada?
Thank you all for reading my complicated story!

 

[scylla]

First stage approval for inland applications is currently 13 months (not 6). So you would have to wait for 13 months before being eligible for an OWP.

No - you won't qualify for an OWP just by marrying your boyfriend.

 

[canadianwoman]

You could get married here with a small ceremony. It is true that if family members are not present, the immigration officer can be suspicious. So if you do have a small ceremony soon just to get the application started, do your best to make it look special: get dressed up, exchange rings, have flowers, take pictures, etc. If friends are present, that will help too. And definitely have some kind of reception after, even if it is just dinner at a restaurant for you two and close friends. You could then state in the application that you plan to have a big reception later back in Croatia so all your relatives can celebrate too.
Applying outland is probably faster than inland. You can stay in Canada as a visitor while you wait, if you apply outland.

You don't need a lot of photos. You will have some from your wedding, of course. A few others should be enough if you have a lot of other proof of the genuineness of your relationship: proof that you stayed together in Croatia and Canada, of your visits, any communication while you were apart, etc. You come from the same ethnic and language background (right?); if you are also similar in other respects, less proof is needed. For example, a couple with the same background, of similar ages, and with similar histories need less proof than a couple where the two people are extremely different.