The Canadian Experience

[Montrealer]

So yesterday I go out to a nice restaurant with a friend.  My friend cancels on me last minute, so I decide to go to this authentic Mexican restaurant (the really greasy type) closeby and grab some grub solo.  While I'm there I end up talking to a woman who is originally from Colombia, her Canadian husband, and thier 4 year old son.  We sat talking for about 2 hours or so, and I got to know how the immigration process for Canadaians works, and figured I'd write about it.

For Canadians, it is easier for them to get a "temporary resident visa" and then file for permanant residence from within Canada.  You may need to renew the visa during the process, which can all be done by mail.  The whole process from within Canada takes about 18 months.  If you do it from outside Canada, it can take up to 3 years.  Being married to a Canadian makes it no difference on time, but does make it easier to be accepted if he is willing to sponsor you for 10 years (may be Quebec only).

I am posting this for Canadian members so they know they don't have to marry the woman right away to get her citizenship, they can have her "visit" them and then go through a trial phase while the paperwork is being filled out.  They can revoke the sponsorship at any time prior to her obtaining permanant residence.

As for obtaining the temporary resident visa, she told me it was incredibly easy and she got her visa the same day of applying in Bogota.  This sounds alot easier than the US.

So, for anyone with dual citizenship, this might be the fastest option to get your latina close to you faster.

What a coincedence, considering I was asking myself these same questions and am on my way to Colombia in 2 weeks.

[Hoda]

... in response to The Canadian Experience, posted by Montrealer on Oct 25, 2005


Did you mention your plans? Any comments/advice from them?

[Montrealer]

... in response to Did they mention how they met?, posted by Hoda on Oct 26, 2005

It wasn't through an agency, he was doing work fot the World Health Organization or something like that.  Something to do with distributing eye glasses to the poor.

She said that she knew about agencies, but said that she never used them and they were for low-class girls.  I didn't ask her to go into details, because how do you bring that up in a conversation with a perfect stranger.

Who knows if she was telling the truth or not.

[papi]

... in response to Re: Did they mention how they met?, posted by Montrealer on Oct 26, 2005

Interesting comment – low-class agency girls (especially after my thread on the lack of manners).  I would assume Colombians don’t think much of women that join agencies – much like society here frowns on the MOB.  There are low-class women without class or manners in the agencies.  Also, flakes, scammers, party girls, and babies.  But I have also met educated and professional ladies from middle-class families including doctors and attorneys.  I cant give you a percentage of the women who have had babies at 16, smoke and have tattoos and/or otherwise are lacking manners vs the doctors so you will just need to sort through it all. But on the plus side, the agency does provide a means to an end and a vehicle to get your feet on the ground in a new place.

I think the lack of manners like showing up very late or not at all without calling comes from when the women are not truly motivated by a gringo. Yea, they will go out with a guy they are not all that excited over yet inevitably giveoff mixed-signals and maybe even sleep with the man but in their heart they are not into it yet go along with it because their Colombian novio does not have the pesos to take them to a nice restaurant or buy them things or they are at the moment without a man. This is why I feel the post trip is key - what happens after you get home

[Kiltboy1]

... in response to The Canadian Experience, posted by Montrealer on Oct 25, 2005

DAMN

HOW DO I BECOME CANADIAN, AEY !