I could use some advice

[Adam_B]

Hello,

I'm a Canadian citizen who recently returned from a 2 year trip to Japan. While I was there I met a girl and I'm trying to help her get into Canada to stay for a while.

Originally we managed to get her a "working holiday visa." She has 1 year from the issue date to come to Canada, then one year from her entry date before she most return. Some financial issues and a death in the family delayed her trip, and now it's unlikely she can make it here before the visa expires in October.

From what I've been told there's no way to renew or extend the visa she has now. I think it may be possible for her to come up quickly for a week to "activate" the visa and then return once she's able to stay. It maybe be a workable but expensive solution.

The other option is to let the current visa lapse and bring her over on a 6 month visitors visa. I think it can be extended to a year, at which point we could apply for a common-law visa.

She isn't really interested in going back to school so a student visa is probably the wrong choice. Her education is in teaching. She's fully licensed to teach in Japan but it looks like most of that wouldn't carry over to Canada. Plus even native Canadians are having trouble finding teaching jobs in my area.

I'm starting to feel a little overwhelmed by everything and I'm just really not sure which is the correct path to take. I'd really welcome any advice or guidance.

 

[Leon]

If you bring her over on a visitor visa, you can apply to extend it after 6 months but it is not guaranteed that it will be approved. However, if you end up being unable to live together for a full year, you could just marry her.

 

[Adam_B]

In all honesty I do thing we'll eventually get married. I just really don't like the feeling of rushing into a marriage for legal reasons.

At this point it looks like extending a visitor's visa is probably my best bet. How common is it for them to be rejected? What factors determine if it will be accepted or not?

 

[job_seeker]

Applying for extension of the visit with "exploring relationship" as reason has worked before. Just don't know if it would still work but it's worth a try.

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/-t27661.0.html

In all honesty I do thing we'll eventually get married. I just really don't like the feeling of rushing into a marriage for legal reasons.

At this point it looks like extending a visitor's visa is probably my best bet. How common is it for them to be rejected? What factors determine if it will be accepted or not?

 

[Leon]

Show that you have the funds for her to stay without working illegally and that she has emergency and accident insurance. Giving the reason as exploring relationship has worked in the past and some people even apply stating they are qualifying to apply for common law sponsorship.

 

[Adam_B]

Can she apply for a new visa while she already is holding one?

Also how good does the reason have to be to apply for a conjugal visa? There were no laws keeping us apart, but us moving in together would have had a very negative impact on her relationship with her family. I don't think it's enough though.

She'd like to be able to get a job in Canada, even if it's just something small and part time, but my understanding is she's completely banned from working on a visitor's visa. Or does that just apply to "skilled" jobs?

 

[Leon]

She can apply to extend a visit visa before it expires if that is what you mean and actually she should. When her visa expires, she becomes out of status and must apply to restore her status which is more expensive than just extending.

Conjugal visa is very hard to get for a straight couple. Some are lucky with the visa officer and get accepted but the guidelines on the immigration website state that this immigration class is for people who are unable to live together or get married. As far as I can see, nothing is stopping you from getting married or living together.

 

[job_seeker]

Is she a citizen of Japan? If she is then she does not need a visa to enter Canada. If she wants to work she'll have to apply for a WP. She would need LMO though before she can apply for one.

Can she apply for a new visa while she already is holding one?

Also how good does the reason have to be to apply for a conjugal visa? There were no laws keeping us apart, but us moving in together would have had a very negative impact on her relationship with her family. I don't think it's enough though.

She'd like to be able to get a job in Canada, even if it's just something small and part time, but my understanding is she's completely banned from working on a visitor's visa. Or does that just apply to "skilled" jobs?