International Student on Student Visa want to sponsor my partner

[Stelios1]

Hi everyone, I would like your advice on my case. I am currently a masters student at UBC and I will start my PHD on the coming September. Thus I have to extend my study permit for at least 4 more years. At the same time I have been in a relationship with my girlfriend back in my country for almost 9 years but we never got married or signed any civil partnership document. My girlfriend, who currently lives outside of Canada, wants to join me here on the coming December. I am thinking of applying for her sponsorship at the same time with the application of my visa renewal. My question is, should I apply for the common-law case, or it will work better if we get married first?

 

[scylla]

Have you lived together continuously for at least one full year?

 

[rcspousalsponsorship]

Hi everyone, I would like your advice on my case. I am currently a masters student at UBC and I will start my PHD on the coming September. Thus I have to extend my study permit for at least 4 more years. At the same time I have been in a relationship with my girlfriend back in my country for almost 9 years but we never got married or signed any civil partnership document. My girlfriend, who currently lives outside of Canada, wants to join me here on the coming December. I am thinking of applying for her sponsorship at the same time with the application of my visa
renewal. My question is, should I apply for the common-law case, or it will work better if we get married first?

You stated that you're in Canada on a study permit/student visa, ONLY Canadian citizens and landed permanent residents can sponsor their partner.

 

[Stelios1]

Unfortunately not... Because of studies, work, army (mandatory at my country) we have not lived together for a year continuously. Regarding my current status in Canada, I know a lot of cases of other students, who brought along their partner. Maybe "sponsorship" is not the right term.

 

[scylla]

Unfortunately not... Because of studies, work, army (mandatory at my country) we have not lived together for a year continuously. Regarding my current status in Canada, I know a lot of cases of other students, who brought along their partner. Maybe "sponsorship" is not the right term.

You should really be posting in the International Students section rather than this section. I would recommend you post any further questions there.

Since you are only dating (you're not common law), there's no visa she can apply for based on the fact you hold a study permit in Canada. If you got married, she would qualify to apply for an open work permit. Whether it's actually approved will be up to CIC.

 

[Stelios1]

I was not aware about that section. Thank you so much of your help! I really appreciate it!

 

[canadianwoman]

Yes, this is not called 'sponsorship'. If you get married or live together for 12 continuous months, she can get an open work permit based on the fact you have a study permit.