How long before there's any proof of residency or a work permit for a spouse?

[canadaway]

I am Canadian, my spouse to be is from France. She is currently in the country on the working holiday program. How long will it take for her to become a PR after we marry/apply?
Also, is there a midway point where she is not quite a full on PR but she can get a work permit/proof of residency (for travel purposes etc.)?
Thanks for any help!

 

[Rob_TO]

You have 2 choices to apply - Inland or Outland.

With Inland, after 8-9 months you get AIP (approval in principle) and can then get an open work permit. After another 8 months you get full PR. During those 16 months, she is not supposed to leave Canada for any reason at all.

With Outland, she would be processed through Paris or Ottawa visa office. Here there is no work permit involved. Basically she would wait until getting full PR, which could take in the 10 month range total. During this processing time, she can come and go from Canada as she pleases on her working holiday visa, or when that expires on her visa-exempt passport as a visitor.

In most cases outland is recommended for visa-exempt applicants.

 

[canadaway]

Thanks for the reply! Is it an option for her to do it through a US consulate, since that would save on airfare?

 

[Rob_TO]

Thanks for the reply! Is it an option for her to do it through a US consulate, since that would save on airfare?

You can't choose US. For an outland app you could only request Paris (based on citizenship) or Ottawa (based on her 1-year visa in Canada), and even then it's up to CIC.

There is probably no need for airfare though. If app is processed in Paris she would only need to return there in case an interview is requested, which for visa-exempt applicants the chance is incredibly low. Most straightforward apps are done with no interview. She should be able to do entire outland app from within Canada.

 

[canadaway]

Thanks again. Do you know if there is anything that she would receive as proof that she is petitioning for residency in Canada? I've read that going to the United States can be complicated for people from visa waiver countries who are in Canada on the working holiday program.

 

[Rob_TO]

Thanks again. Do you know if there is anything that she would receive as proof that she is petitioning for residency in Canada?

If you apply outland, after around 1 month you will receive a stage 1 or sponsor approval letter from CPC-Mississauga, as your file is then transferred to the outland visa office. This letter is the best indication of the application in progress.

I've read that going to the United States can be complicated for people from visa waiver countries who are in Canada on the working holiday program.

I don't see why that would be, especially for visa-exempt applicants. As long as there are no inadmissibility issues for the US (like previous criminal record, etc).