ETA: Arriving with a pregnant partner for giving birth

[dkkr]

My partner is Canadian, I am from an EU country. She is pregnant and we have lived together for the past three years in the Netherlands. We haven't got married or registered a partnership. At the end of December we are coming to Canada (Montreal) to visit her family, and to give birth at the end of March. I am going to apply for ETA, but I am not sure about two things:

(1) Would it be okay to specify in the ETA application that I am not employed? I have just finished my studies and have a reasonable amount of savings.

(2) What should I tell the border officer in Canada as the purpose of my trip? Am I going to be let in the country if I specify exactly what I had just laid out above - the purpose of my visit being visiting her family and being there for the birth and the first months of the baby? I would really hope I would be granted access for 6 months. During those 6 months I am planning to get accepted into a university within Canada, as well as get married with my partner.

 

[zardoz]

My partner is Canadian, I am from an EU country. She is pregnant and we have lived together for the past three years in the Netherlands. We haven't got married or registered a partnership. At the end of December we are coming to Canada (Montreal) to visit her family, and to give birth at the end of March. I am going to apply for ETA, but I am not sure about two things:

(1) Would it be okay to specify in the ETA application that I am not employed? I have just finished my studies and have a reasonable amount of savings.

(2) What should I tell the border officer in Canada as the purpose of my trip? Am I going to be let in the country if I specify exactly what I had just laid out above - the purpose of my visit being visiting her family and being there for the birth and the first months of the baby? I would really hope I would be granted access for 6 months. During those 6 months I am planning to get accepted into a university within Canada, as well as get married with my partner.

Your responses to the questions for the eTA application must be correct and truthful. Don't offer information that is not requested. The same applies to the CBSA officer at the Port of Entry. If asked, tell the truth.

 

[dkkr]

Your responses to the questions for the eTA application must be correct and truthful. Don't offer information that is not requested. The same applies to the CBSA officer at the Port of Entry. If asked, tell the truth.

I am not questioning whether I should tell the truth or not. My question is whether, given the conditions I laid out, I would be allowed into the country, and would it be reasonable to expect a 6-month entry pass? If I learn ahead of time that my situation does not grant me access, then I can either settle an additional purpose (job interview), or choose to change our plans altogether.

 

[zardoz]

I am not questioning whether I should tell the truth or not. My question is whether, given the conditions I laid out, I would be allowed into the country, and would it be reasonable to expect a 6-month entry pass? If I learn ahead of time that my situation does not grant me access, then I can either settle an additional purpose (job interview), or choose to change our plans altogether.

It's completely dependent on the individual CBSA officer. Nobody can offer any guarantees. Don't mention job interviews as a reason for the visit unless you have a specific invitation from an employer who is requiring a physical presence interview before progressing a job application. Any hint of ad hoc interviews will be considered as an attempt to work illegally by CBSA.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

My partner is Canadian, I am from an EU country. She is pregnant and we have lived together for the past three years in the Netherlands. We haven't got married or registered a partnership. At the end of December we are coming to Canada (Montreal) to visit her family, and to give birth at the end of March. I am going to apply for ETA, but I am not sure about two things:

(1) Would it be okay to specify in the ETA application that I am not employed? I have just finished my studies and have a reasonable amount of savings.

(2) What should I tell the border officer in Canada as the purpose of my trip? Am I going to be let in the country if I specify exactly what I had just laid out above - the purpose of my visit being visiting her family and being there for the birth and the first months of the baby? I would really hope I would be granted access for 6 months. During those 6 months I am planning to get accepted into a university within Canada, as well as get married with my partner.

What province are you going to?

If you arrive with your pregnant Canadian partner, the CBSA officer is going to know what you are doing regardless of what you say, so don't lie or try to find some fake alternative purpose. No one can guarantee you will be allowed entry.

 

[dkkr]

We are planning to visit Quebec. I realise now that I shouldn't count on getting married, or starting university studies, in order to extend my stay. It's probably better I come as a visitor to visit my inlaws and then return back to Europe to reapply for a proper visa. I will consult an immigration lawyer on these questions.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

We are planning to visit Quebec. I realise now that I shouldn't count on getting married, or starting university studies, in order to extend my stay. It's probably better I come as a visitor to visit my inlaws and then return back to Europe to reapply for a proper visa. I will consult an immigration lawyer on these questions.

There is no reason you would have to leave and no reason to consult with an immigration lawyer. You are common-law, so just apply for sponsorship. You can apply outland now or wait until you are in Canada and apply inland.

 

[dkkr]

There is no reason you would have to leave and no reason to consult with an immigration lawyer. You are common-law, so just apply for sponsorship. You can apply outland now or wait until you are in Canada and apply inland.

Sponsorship application takes 12 months to process. Visitors visa, which seems to be the only current option for me to enter Canada in less than two months, allows for a maximum of 6 months stay. That would mean I'd had to go back to Europe and reapply, unless I get an extension for my visitors visa.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Sponsorship application takes 12 months to process. Visitors visa, which seems to be the only current option for me to enter Canada in less than two months, allows for a maximum of 6 months stay. That would mean I'd had to go back to Europe and reapply, unless I get an extension for my visitors visa.

It is a simple process to extend visitor status and if you have a sponsorship app in process, there is little chance of refusal. Or you apply inland with an OWP as soon as you get here and get the OWP in about 4 months.