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JpnCdnrelationship

Star Member
Sep 25, 2019
67
11
Hi everyone,

My girlfriend is Japanese and 36 year old. I am a Canadian Citizen.
We've been dating for almost a year now but unfortunately we are only 2 months in of living together, so we cannot claim common law as of yet. Her open work visa will be expiring in August 2020, and we're not quite sure which route would be the best for her to take to obtain PR.

My girlfriend is Japanese, 36 years old, has been an accountant in Japan for 5+ years with experience as a manager. She is also an accounting degree holder from a university in Japan.

She decided to enroll in Seneca's accounting two year diploma program "2015-2017" and upon completion it gave her a three year open work permit. She's been working in her profession in Canada doing accounting for about a year now.

So I guess to sum up her background to make it easier,
36 F, single status,
University Accounting degree from Japan,
Two year Canadian Accounting diploma from Seneca College,
Three year Canadian Open work permit, set to expire on August of 2020
5+ years of Japanese accounting experience with about 1 year of Canadian Accounting experience.

As her work permit is expiring soon "August 2020" before we reach common law status, we were hoping for some guidance on the best route to take to obtain PR. She'll be sitting for her IELTS exams soon as well.

Thanks so much everyone
 
You could marry her, or she could check out her scores for Express Entry as she has Canadian experience.
 
You could marry her, or she could check out her scores for Express Entry as she has Canadian experience.

Hi thanks so much for replying, marriage can certainly be an option but it's a bit early in the relationship, we're hoping to explore other approaches for PR.

Would the express entry route be the best approach?
Hoping and anticipating that her IELTS is high enough "atleast 7s across the boards" her calculated score is about 459-460.
 
Thanks so much khp, i'll bring this to her attention!

Also, do you think it would be wise waiting and applying for an extension of her open work permit, in order to qualify and become common law later next year prior to applying for PR?

Unless her employer obtains a positive LMIA, she doesn't qualify for a work permit. She would need to change her status to visitor.
 
Thanks so much khp, i'll bring this to her attention!

Also, do you think it would be wise waiting and applying for an extension of her open work permit, in order to qualify and become common law later next year prior to applying for PR?
I believe if you apply under common law the responsibility on your part is still similar than if you were married. Meaning you would be taking an undertaking to support her incase she doesn't work for the first few years. Even if you break up.
 
Hi thanks so much for replying, marriage can certainly be an option but it's a bit early in the relationship, we're hoping to explore other approaches for PR.

Would the express entry route be the best approach?
Hoping and anticipating that her IELTS is high enough "atleast 7s across the boards" her calculated score is about 459-460.

Make sure she is not including 50 points in her score for having a job offer. She can only claim the 50 points if her employer obtains an approved LMIA.

Note that 460 points is unfortunately too low to receive ITA right now through Express Entry. Most on this forum do not believe the score are going to drop anytime soon. She will need to look into the provincial programs - unless she can get her score up to the 470+ range
 
Hi everyone,

My girlfriend is Japanese and 36 year old. I am a Canadian Citizen.
We've been dating for almost a year now but unfortunately we are only 2 months in of living together, so we cannot claim common law as of yet. Her open work visa will be expiring in August 2020, and we're not quite sure which route would be the best for her to take to obtain PR.

My girlfriend is Japanese, 36 years old, has been an accountant in Japan for 5+ years with experience as a manager. She is also an accounting degree holder from a university in Japan.

She decided to enroll in Seneca's accounting two year diploma program "2015-2017" and upon completion it gave her a three year open work permit. She's been working in her profession in Canada doing accounting for about a year now.

So I guess to sum up her background to make it easier,
36 F, single status,
University Accounting degree from Japan,
Two year Canadian Accounting diploma from Seneca College,
Three year Canadian Open work permit, set to expire on August of 2020
5+ years of Japanese accounting experience with about 1 year of Canadian Accounting experience.

As her work permit is expiring soon "August 2020" before we reach common law status, we were hoping for some guidance on the best route to take to obtain PR. She'll be sitting for her IELTS exams soon as well.

Thanks so much everyone

Two options:
1. Marry her and then sponsor her OR
2. She can apply through Express entry.

She is 36, has a Canadian diploma degree and at least 1 year of Canadian work experience and 5+ years of foreign work experience. With a CLB9 or 10, she would be able to get at least 480 points in CRS which will allow her to apply for PR under EE.

Try the CRS calculator: https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/crs-tool.asp