Hi All
I am hoping someone can help to point me in the right direction! This has turned in to a bit of a story… apologies!
My Canadian girlfriend is on a two year working visa which ends on 3rd March 2013. We have been together since October 2011 and lived together since April 2012 (and have lots of documents and accounts to support this).
I am a 31 year old British chap, have a degree and have been working in Logistics for 5 years… (which I hate). I have recently quit my job and am starting an MSc in GIS which ends mid-June 2013.
My girlfriend and I see a future, but she is intent on living and raising a family in Canada, so I am planning on follow her back to her native Manitoba on completion of my MSc, to “Try before I buy”! If I cannot hack the arctic conditions, I would head back home either with Kristen or (begrudgingly) alone.
I am hoping someone may be able to advise on Visa options. My thoughts are as follows:
Option 1) Temporary Working Visa: I would aim to get a job in GIS and could link it (vaguely) to my logistics experience. However, I understand that you have to prove that you are planning on heading home after the visa expires… which I am not planning to do, and actively contradicts Option 2.
Option 2) Holiday Visa. Would it be legal to work freelance for UK based companies while in Canada? I.e. computer programming work?
Option 3) Common Law (CL) Visa: In April 2013 we will apply for CL status. Unfortunately Kristen’s visa expires on 3rd March, but she is planning on staying in the UK until April so this should still apply (shouldn’t it?!). I understand the application process takes 2-6 months from outside Canada; My MSc completes in June, so if we are lucky, we will have been approved by then… if not, It could take until December 2013… rather a long time apart. Would it be possible to apply for a Temporary Working Visa/Holiday visa for this time, and just switch over to Common Law once it has been approved? (I understand the applicaition process takes up to 6 months from outside Canada but up to 18 months when inside… if started from outside, could I complete inside and keep the shorter leadtime?
Option 4) Manitoban Provincial Nominee Programme. I am eligible as long as my CL status counts as “Strong Links”… although if I have a CL visa then maybe this option is not required.
Option 5) Marriage! I would prefer to marry for love rather than a visa… but I have to admit, it is one of the options!
Are my thoughts correct? Can anyone advise whether I have made any glaring omissions, and if not, which would be the best option to pursue? Any further reading would also be of interest.
Many thanks for reading this essay!
Chris
I am hoping someone can help to point me in the right direction! This has turned in to a bit of a story… apologies!
My Canadian girlfriend is on a two year working visa which ends on 3rd March 2013. We have been together since October 2011 and lived together since April 2012 (and have lots of documents and accounts to support this).
I am a 31 year old British chap, have a degree and have been working in Logistics for 5 years… (which I hate). I have recently quit my job and am starting an MSc in GIS which ends mid-June 2013.
My girlfriend and I see a future, but she is intent on living and raising a family in Canada, so I am planning on follow her back to her native Manitoba on completion of my MSc, to “Try before I buy”! If I cannot hack the arctic conditions, I would head back home either with Kristen or (begrudgingly) alone.
I am hoping someone may be able to advise on Visa options. My thoughts are as follows:
Option 1) Temporary Working Visa: I would aim to get a job in GIS and could link it (vaguely) to my logistics experience. However, I understand that you have to prove that you are planning on heading home after the visa expires… which I am not planning to do, and actively contradicts Option 2.
Option 2) Holiday Visa. Would it be legal to work freelance for UK based companies while in Canada? I.e. computer programming work?
Option 3) Common Law (CL) Visa: In April 2013 we will apply for CL status. Unfortunately Kristen’s visa expires on 3rd March, but she is planning on staying in the UK until April so this should still apply (shouldn’t it?!). I understand the application process takes 2-6 months from outside Canada; My MSc completes in June, so if we are lucky, we will have been approved by then… if not, It could take until December 2013… rather a long time apart. Would it be possible to apply for a Temporary Working Visa/Holiday visa for this time, and just switch over to Common Law once it has been approved? (I understand the applicaition process takes up to 6 months from outside Canada but up to 18 months when inside… if started from outside, could I complete inside and keep the shorter leadtime?
Option 4) Manitoban Provincial Nominee Programme. I am eligible as long as my CL status counts as “Strong Links”… although if I have a CL visa then maybe this option is not required.
Option 5) Marriage! I would prefer to marry for love rather than a visa… but I have to admit, it is one of the options!
Are my thoughts correct? Can anyone advise whether I have made any glaring omissions, and if not, which would be the best option to pursue? Any further reading would also be of interest.
Many thanks for reading this essay!
Chris
