milimili said:
Can someone answer my question? I need some advice.
I posted it on the previous page:
I'm starting my PhD in Canada this fall and I'd like to bring my spouse with me. I know my spouse is eligible for SOWP but he didn't apply at the same time as I applied for my study permit because a) we feared rejection - it was important for me to get my visa and b) he's a student in our home country so he has obligations here.
But he'll be graduating this fall and obtaining his Master's degree so I'm wondering how we should proceed with his SOWP. The problem is that he is not employed. We both dedicated most of our time to our studies and our families help us financially - there was just not time for building a career. I have a property on my name but can he list it as tie to our home country? He is also listed as an heir to a property in our home country even though he still doesn't own it (since his father is alive) - can he list this property as a tie to our home country?
We are married for 8+ years.
When it comes to money, I am funded by my PhD program. I have full tuition paid, a scholarship and a graduate assistantship (guaranteed for the whole duration of my PhD). The amount is not really big but it goes above the required 10 000 for me and 4000 for a dependent (only a couple of k more, but it's above their limit).
When it comes to the reason of not applying together, what can we say? Will the explanation that he was a student here be enough? Plus, my PhD requires me to perform research in my home country so I will sure come to visit. It's not like we want to be separated. Can he write a letter of explanation for the reasons he didn't apply at the same time as me (citing his studies)?
Do you have any advice for us and how to increase his chances to get a SOWP. (We worry because he's unemployed... But he'll be a recent Master's graduate, does education matter at least a little?)
Also, how soon can he apply? Is is better to wait for me to complete at least one semester to show I am serious about my PhD?
Any help and advice are more than welcomed!
Most of what i would suggest is just personal opinion based upon what i have seen - not written any where.
a) If you didn't apply together in the first place, at least wait until you actually join the program and show some progress. A document showing your current progress, plus your latest month's funding pay slip whatever should really help when you apply for him. Giving a reasonable gap if you didn't apply together makes sense to show change of circumstances - applying first, gotten approved and then applying for SOWP while you haven't actually moved yet would look questionable to me.
b) Writing a cover letter should help explaining all the details. So would attaching property evidence be, but don't count too much on it. Cover letter is not a requirement unless you have a deal breaker explanation. A lot of people dont apply together and go through it latter. In fact most people apply alone fearing risk of refusal at first. So they might not even look at the cover letter unless really needed.
c) More important would be proof of your status i.e. study permit, details of PhD and funding - if your permit is valid for a short time (say a year max), may be a letter from supervisor with good progress feedback and explaining your role is of vital importance. This INFO PROVES sort of your research responsibilities as well as financials which in my view would be the most important thing for CIC.
Completing one semester is not really important but you should at least have been here, collect a cheque or two (or what ever is the mode of your funding) and basically prove that you are actually studying at the program you pursued and were given visa for.
d) Citing his studies as what he is currently doing would be good. Don't try to over explain why you didn't apply together. They know it already. So don't give too much details. Instead focus on his profile, education, background and any assets.
Generally speaking, being employed in home country is important for principal applicant not for a spouse. But because it is a study visa dependent SOWP, it might have a role for the spouse too and having a job though would play a positive role.
But if it helps to know, my wife though being an MBA hasn't worked in like almost 10 years and we did get SOWP easily. At least two other friends of mine also did where one of whose spouse was quite younger, recently married and barely a graduate with no property back home.
However, all of these cases were for highly specialized skilled jobs where principal applicants were working in the relevant industry for 7 years or more with very well paid jobs in home country as well. So i don't know how much of an impact that had. But none of us owned any properties nor we had any significant bank accounts. Having funds for a year is not a requirement for people with confirmed jobs in Canada. Hope that helps
