Visa route or Sponsorship route?

[canadiannorth]

Hi,

I'm a Canadian citizen wondering about the best route for my German girlfriend to spend an extended period of time in Canada with eligibility to work while she is here. We are both engineers and I met her while she was here on an internship over a year ago. She was in Canada for 7 months before she had to go back to Germany to complete her Master's degree. We began dating shortly after she moved to Canada and we ended up living together for a month before she moved back. After dating long distance for 4 months, I was able to get an internship in Germany this summer for 4 months. We are currently living together in Germany while I am here.

After my internship, I have to move back to Canada to complete my degree. By that time she will have completed her Master's degree here in Germany and we'd like to live together in Canada while I complete my last year. I am wondering the best route for her to come and stay in Canada. We'd prefer to have some sort of working Visa so that she doesn't get bored sitting at home all day. Does anyone have advice on the best Visa to apply for that will allow her to work? She will have her Master degree in engineering. Or is it possible for me to sponsor her? At this point we're just trying to gather as much information as possible to determine the correct Visa to apply for. Anything with eligibility for 6 months to several years is what we're looking for. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[scylla]

I would recommend you start by looking into the IEC/working holiday visa program.

You will only be able to sponsor her once you are either married or common law. Common law means you have lived together continuously (without a break) for a minimum of one full year.

 

[canadiannorth]

I would recommend you start by looking into the IEC/working holiday visa program.

You will only be able to sponsor her once you are either married or common law. Common law means you have lived together continuously (without a break) for a minimum of one full year.

It seems like the working holiday visa program is directed towards jobs that are in the tourism industry and mainly located elsewhere other than the city I will be located? If we are to work towards getting common law, is there a way that she could work in the same city that I am so that we can live together? She is an environmental engineer so a job related to that field would be best. Otherwise, how could we work towards common law if we never have the chance to live together for a year uninterupted? I read that there was something called a 'conjugal partner' which is very similar to this situation and can be eligible for sponsorship. Do you know anything about this?

 

[Rob_TO]

It seems like the working holiday visa program is directed towards jobs that are in the tourism industry and mainly located elsewhere other than the city I will be located?

No, that is not true at all. IEC/working holiday is a completely OPEN work permit meaning you can live and work anywhere in Canada you want to.

If we are to work towards getting common law, is there a way that she could work in the same city that I am so that we can live together?

Sure you can live together whether she's here on IEC or just as a regular visitor.

I read that there was something called a 'conjugal partner' which is very similar to this situation and can be eligible for sponsorship. Do you know anything about this?

Conjugal doesn't apply to you as there are no legal barriers to you getting married or becoming common-law. Do not even consider this route as it will be a guaranteed rejection.

You must be common-law or married to do any sponsorship for her, no exceptions.

 

[canadiannorth]

Wow awesome thank you both for all the help! I'll look into the IEC route. This is my first time ever using a forum and I never realized how useful they can be. Great input from both of you super quickly so thanks a lot! I'll use this again if I have any more questions.