plan to get married with my thai girlfriend in Canada

[oceanwest]

Hello,

I met my Thai girlfriend in 2003 and have been dating each other since. She actually been to Vancouver for 4 month in 2004 and attended a one-month-international-student English program in Douglas College. We are planning to live together in Canada and are wondering how to proceed in doing so. After some preliminary research, it seems to me the following procedures will work better for our situation. Please have some feedback and suggestion for us.

1. Have my Thai girlfriend apply a Tourist VISA to Canada
2. Get married in Victoria, BC, Canada
3. Apply for Sponsorship, and Permanent Resident



A little about me:
- moved to Vancouver from Taiwan in 1999
- got my Canadian Citizenship in 2003

- Working full time as a hotel night auditor making $16.48/hour. 2008 T4 is about $38300 (more than $35641). I have been in this job for about 1.5 years.

- own a car and currently renting a 1 bedroom apartment.
- now living in Victoria, BC


About my girlfriend
- Living in Chiang Rai, Thailand.

- Been to Vancouver, Canada for about 4 months in 2004 and attended a one month International English Program in Douglas college. (Her dad has to borrow from his boss about $300,000 Thai Baht = $10,000 CAD and put the money in her bank account for 3 days in order to obtain the tourist VISA). She also had tourist VISA to Taiwan and stayed for 4 days in Taiwan in 2008

- Now working in Chiang Rai as an elementary school teacher teaching English, Japanese and various subjects. She has been a elementary school teacher for about 3 years now.


Some of my questions?

1. I currently make $16.48/hr, which by calculation gives me a annual income of $34278 (16.48x40 hr x52 weeks). This means by calculation my gross yearly income is lower than the Immigration Canada sponsor income requirement of $35641. However because of overtime and gratuity, my gross income on the T4 is about $38300. Will I pass the Sponsor Income Requirement?

2. I found many posting indicating that it is almost impossible for their Thai girlfriend to get a tourist VISA to Canada therefore they are forced to marry outside of Canada. Since my girlfriend had successfully obtained a tourist VISA to Canada in 2004, I hope it won't be too hard for her to get one this time. If she came to Canada on a Tourist VISA, can we get married in Canada? What is likely to happen after we get married in Canada.

3. I am also looking to consult an immigration consultant or a lawyer. If you have any recommendation for Victoria, BC, Please their name.


Thank you all for spending reading my posting. It is very much appreciated.

Sincerely

Jay C.

 

[graham]

there are no income requirements to sponsor a spouse-only if they have dependants(kids) it is hard to say if she will be able to stay when being sponsored and on a visitors visa,my wife is from the phil. and not here yet-and she cannot come while the sponsorship is still in progress ;( most immigration lawyers charge a small fee for counsiltation50-100$ and it may help you befor going any farther with plans to get married.good luck;D

 

[wannabe]

Sawasdee ka Khun Oceanwest

Please tell your wife to check out thaiontario.com webboard. Those Thai people in that forum are very nice and they always try to help as much as they can by answering your questions (which always come from the real experiences and someone always find an update information to post on the webboard). Many people was able to apply and received their PR without using any Attorney. Most of them have PR within 8 months. Unfortunately, most of the details are written in Thai. Just make sure you ask your wife to use the SEARCH button first to find your answer before start posting something that was there before. Just in case some old member might bug you about not doing your homework.

Wish you and your wife the best luck. We might see each other in Canada. Cheers......

 

[oceanwest]

Thank you all for all the advices and suggestions. I also set the date for an appointment with an immigration lawyer. I think for a big life decision like this it is better to be well planned and well prepared. It in a way shows the commitment to the relationship. My girlfriend also does research on her part finding out the rules and requirements from the Thai immigration office. I will post useful information discussed with the lawyer hoping it will benefit others in the same situation. Thank you again.