Any advice for immigration to Canada?

[Mark]

I realize most here are US citizens but for those of us who aren't I was wondering if anyone would have heard of good advisors for getting a gf into Canada?

[El Capitan]

Mark, I've seen a service that arranges Canadian Visa's for a multitude of purposes...jsut can't remember where I've seen the Ad...Cyber Cupido maybe? If I come across it again, I'll snag the link for you...actually, here it is:

Canadian Immigration

I don't know too much about them, but hopefully there's a little bit of info to be gleaned from their site.

[Cubafro]

MARK,

Concerning CANADA`s immigration I saw just one thing easy to do and it`s to get married...oui oui tu as bien compris juste le marriage merde!!!
I didn`t hear that we have a fiancee visa here or if we have it might be a pain in the ass to get into it....
BTW it`s good to see another canadian on the board ; I felt almost american with this big gringo`s family

CUBA

[Mark]

The only thing I,ve heard is that Canada doesn't have a fiance visa. I think you have to get her a tourist visa and sort it out from there. That's the extent of my knowledge on the subject. From where I'm coming from, I'm first concerned with finding the ideal one and hoping to cross that bridge when I get there.

[jfsawatzky]

Hi Mark

You might want to check out poorbuthappy.com... but they specialize in Colombia info. There are a few Canadians posting their experiences there. (I don't know where your gf is from, but the info may still be relevant if you are interested in immigration to Canada.)

One caution, the site is currently being upgraded, and there have been some problems over the past week. You might want to give them some more time to sort out the issues.

As for my experience, I wrote an inivitation letter for my gf last summer (without using any advisor or lawyer), when she applied for a temporary residence visa (the canadian equivalent to a visitors visa). But she was declined the visa.

Evidently, it is difficult for a temporary residents visa to be granted to young colombianas... and problably most latinas from SA unless they have significant financial resources (property, businesses, etc), full time employment, a husband or family etc. Essentially, Immigration wants to know the individual will return to their home country, and not remain in Canada after the visa expires. Also, there is no fiance visa for Canada, so it is almost impossible for your gf to experience the Canadian culture / lifestyle before you are married (unless she can come to Canada on some other visa)

Having travelled extensively myself, I wanted that she would have some idea of what life in Canada is like, before she makes such an important decision to leave Colombia and come to Canada. However, we were not given this opportunity, so we are making other plans now.

Good Luck

I have a friend who is an immigration lawyer here in Canada and he basically says what jfsawatzky said above. Forgive me while I rant here a second, but I have to get this off my chest to some people that are going to understand.

The US has come along way, it looks to me, in updating the foreign marriage policy compared to Canada.

I am 3rd generation Canadian, grandparents served in both world wars, helped build up the western frontier, brother served in the Canadian military, secret service, RCMP, etc, etc. Nobody has got a criminal record, etc, etc. And Can I marry someone from Columbia and bring them home? Nope.

:mad:Some punk ass asian kid, who can not speak english, comes here on his parents coattails because his dad buys a $250,000.00 home and is accepted as a landed immigrant because of this "Investment" in the Canadian economy. The parents laugh at our laws and do NOT report all foreign income and pay minimum taxes if any. The make no income in Canada and this punk ass kid goes to school here free. Wait there is more. Because the kid does not speak english he "NEEDS" to be in ESL (english as a second language) classes. So, you say. Well ESL costs twice as much educate a child as regular school. So, that's just a couple of kids you say. Do you now that 1/2 of the kids in the Vancouver area are ESL, guess what that does to our budget? Ya. And if thats not enough. The kids get their drivers licences buy taking their tests in their native lauguage(extra computer software costs, paper cost, etc.) are provided a translator by the government and can get a drivers licence with reading the #@&*$%ing signs on the road. Now because there parents are all multi million-billion aires, the kids drive $100,000.00 cars, drive them to school, mock their teachers (in a language the teachers can not understand) as peasants, and when not in school drive like Indy racers with no regard for the law, cause accidents that raise insurance costs and laugh when they total their cars, because even if the lose the car and their drivers licence they buy another car, steal someone elses plates and are back on the road. What do their parents say? Nothing, they are overseas. If the kids are caught, do they get deported? No, they have rights!?

Back to me and my Latina. I can't bring her to Canada if I marry her because she has no status. I want to bring her to Canada on a visitor visa, but no, she isn't marries to a Colombian, does not have Colombian children, does not own land, a company or hold a high paying job in Colombia, so she is not welcome. If she was a cocaine dealer, owned a huge mansion in Medallin and had a private jet? No problem, she will be returning to Colombia so, ya, that's okay.
Help!!! My country is being run by aliens or something!

Thanks for listening, I feel better for now.

[LastLion]

Unfotunately, we already know this information. But welcome anyways, and don't let the gov't **** stop you! You will probably like us have to make several trips and if you love her marry her and bring her home... I am not sure what the stats are on colombianos having a tourist visa to the USA but I am sure it is similar to canada and maybe worse!

[Guero]

hobbit,

have you given any thought to expatriating FROM your beloved Canada, Oh Canada??? you are free to leave.. i assume??