Pregnant Girlfriend From Mexico

[Winetorp]

I'm Canadian and my girlfriend's Mexican. While she was in Canada with a tourist visa she got pregnant. My financial situation is a bit unstable since I only came back to Canada-- after an absence of 9 years -- 8 months ago. My girlfriend went back to Mexico yesterday to give birth at the beginning of July. What is the best way for us to be reunited in Canada ASAP? How long should we expect for her to get her residency and the right to work? Will she be granted a tourist visa after she puts in her application?

thanks for your help.

[ardell58]

Dear Richard,

You may wish to consider sponsoring your girlfriend's application for permanent residence in Canada in the family class spousal category. This would appear to be your best option on the basis of the information provided.

To be eligible in the family class spousal category you need to show either that you have been living in a common-law relationship for at least one-year prior to the appplication or that you are legally married. This process can take at least six months(two months to process the sponsorship and up to six months to process the application unless there are problems).

There is no impediment to your spouse making an application for a temporary resident visa pending the outcome of the application for permanent residence, but to get the visa she must satisfy the visa officer of her intentions to stay temporarily and not otherwise violate Canada's immigration rules.

The following links may be helpful:

**IMMIGRATION CANADA**

SPOUSAL APPLICATION PROCEDURES: OUTSIDE CANADAhttp://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/fc.asp

FAMILY CLASS PROCESSING MANUAL - IMMIGRATION CANADAhttp://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/op/op02-eng.pdf

**IMMIGRATION QUEBEC -- FOR RESIDENTS OF QUEBEC ONLY**

IMMIGRATION QUEBEC WEBSITE - SPOUSAL CLASShttp://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/forms/search-title/undertaking-appli...

**JURISPRUDENCE**

IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE BOARD(IRB) - DECISIONShttp://www.iijcan.org/en/ca/irb/index.html

In box one, type key words -- such as immigration, spouse, convenience.

FEDERAL COURT OF CANADA - DECISIONShttp://decisions.fct-cf.gc.ca/en/index.html

Use the search tool with key words -- such as immigration, spouse, marriage --  to find decisions related to spousal applications.

Be sure to apply for your child's citizenship and passport as well. Since this can take a little while, it may be necessary to get your child a Mexican passport and temporary resident visa for Canada so as not to delay the process.

**CITIZENSHIP**

CITIZENSHIP CERTIFICATE APPLICATIONhttp://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/certif.asp

CANADIAN PASSPORT APPLICATIONhttp://www.ppt.gc.ca/index.aspx

I have to add the caveat that this response is for information purposes only. It does not create a client-consultant relationship. For professional immigration advice or expert assistance please contact me or any qualified immigration consultant or lawyer directly.

If this response has been helpful, please let others know by completing the AllExperts.com rating form.

Best wishes,

Tim Morson, CCIC*

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MORSON & ASSOCIATES

353 Saint-Nicolas

Suite 307

Montreal, Quebec

H2Y 2P1 CANADA

T: 514-845-5454

F: 514-845-8174

[email protected]

www.morson.ca

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*Certified Canadian Immigration Consultant(CCIC)

Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants(CSIC)

CSIC Member No M041310