My spouse initially arrived here as a live-in caregiver. I am a Canadian citizen. We met, fell in love, started to live together, and got married in October 2009. After getting the marriage certificate, we sent an application for PR - Spouse or common-law partner (inland) in late November 2009. We are now waiting for the AOR, which we expect in late May/June 2010, according to the waiting times page on the CIC site. I have an income that can support both of us. We are fairly confident that everything will go smoothly and hopeful that there will be no obstacles for her to obtain PR status.
My spouse has other work skills she would like to use, it would give her an earlier start to the Canadian work experience in her field of work. Her visa is currently only for the live-in caregiver program.
The question is,
1. Does she have to wait until first stage approval to apply for the open work permit?
2. One question that is not directly related to this topic - should I be filing a tax return together with my spouse? It would be another piece of proof if CIC were to ask. It is the only reason I am considering it. Is it possible to file a joint tax return if her work permit only allows her to have income as a caregiver? I'm leaning towards filing separately this time.
Thanks in advance
My spouse has other work skills she would like to use, it would give her an earlier start to the Canadian work experience in her field of work. Her visa is currently only for the live-in caregiver program.
The question is,
1. Does she have to wait until first stage approval to apply for the open work permit?
2. One question that is not directly related to this topic - should I be filing a tax return together with my spouse? It would be another piece of proof if CIC were to ask. It is the only reason I am considering it. Is it possible to file a joint tax return if her work permit only allows her to have income as a caregiver? I'm leaning towards filing separately this time.
Thanks in advance