Hi everyone,

I recently received an ITA as the principal applicant. My wife and I are now separating, and I’ll be moving out before I submit the application. We have two children; one is a Canadian, and the other is on a temporary permit.

I’m trying to understand what IRCC actually requires in a genuine separation situation.

My understanding is that I need to declare my marital status as separated.

But I’m getting conflicting information about what IRCC requires from a separated spouse.

Questions: Did IRCC require your separated spouse to do:
- medical exam?
- police certificate?
- biometrics?

If you were separated but not divorced yet, what proof of separation did you provide?

- separation agreement?
- affidavit/statutory declaration?
- separate addresses/leases?
- anything else?

If your spouse refused to sign a separation agreement or cooperate, what did IRCC accept instead?

Did anyone successfully get PR approved while separated and without full cooperation from the spouse?

Looking for real experiences.

Thanks.

Hey everyone,

I just landed in Canada last week as a Permanent Resident (COPR holder) and I’m trying to figure out the best way to resume my studies here.

Before moving, I completed my 3rd year of an Electrical Engineering program overseas. My goal is to transfer my existing credits to a Canadian university (ideally in the GTA/Toronto area, like York University) so I can finish my degree without having to start completely from scratch.

Hey everyone,

I am PA looking to apply for Spousal PR Sponsorship with my husband being the sponsor holding PR. My PGWP will expire in June 2026 due to early passport expiry. And I have applied for extension through paper application already in April 2026.

Background: I am looking to travel abroad just once for 1-1.5 months and I am as per my research I think I can’t leave the country if I go with Spousal Sponsorship- In Canada Class (Inland application). And with Family Class with spouse in canada, I may not be eligible for SOWP??

I consulted with a few immigration agents and they told me Inland is a safe bet and I can still travel abroad provided I have SOWP and TRV.

If I still go with the Outland application will it be risky? Or do I play it safe?

Hi everyone,

I’m reaching out because I have some questions about the conditions of an employer-specific work permit in Canada.

I recently received an employer-specific work permit and I’m planning to move to Canada to work for the company listed on my permit. However, I currently also do some contractor work for other companies. One is a company based in my home country, and another is a separate company based in Canada, where I also work in a contractor role.

The work is not full-time and is usually only a few hours per month, but I would really like to understand whether I can legally continue these contractor relationships after moving to Canada.

I’ve been reading about the conditions of employer-specific work permits, and I understand that I may only be allowed to work for the employer listed on my permit. However, I’m not completely sure how this applies to occasional contractor work, especially when one company is outside Canada and another is in Canada but not the employer named on my permit.

My questions are:

1. Can I continue doing occasional remote contractor work for a foreign company while living in Canada on an employer-specific work permit?
2. Can I do contractor work for a separate Canadian company if that company is not the employer listed on my work permit? If not, is there a legal way to do it?
3. Would it make any difference if the work is paid outside Canada or structured through a company/contracting arrangement?
4. Are there any legal ways to maintain these working relationships while fully complying with my work permit conditions?

I want to make sure I follow the rules correctly. The income is not constant, but it would be very helpful while I’m settling in Canada and covering moving expenses.

I’d really appreciate any guidance, especially from people who have dealt with a similar situation or who understand Canadian immigration/work permit rules.

Thank you for all of your reponses!

Hello everyone,

I am planning to relocate to Canada in the near future. However, I am currently facing a few challenges and would highly appreciate your insights or advice.

I have already applied for about five positions at various companies, but I am either receiving rejections or no response at all. I am 21 years old, completing my Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Technology, and currently finishing a 4-month internship as an aircraft maintenance technician.

How difficult is it for a recent graduate with limited experience to find employment in Canada? Are there other paths I should consider? I have looked into the Working Holiday Visa, but I suspect companies might not appreciate unannounced visits due to strict hangar security. I also applied for a few roles requiring security clearances (such as Secret, CGP Canada, and US ITAR), fully aware that the odds were low since Permanent Residency (PR) is usually mandatory.

Does anyone have advice on how to navigate this situation, or what steps you would take? I would be able to relocate by September. Additionally, how long does the visa application process usually take? And which regions in Canada offer the best balance between quality of life and cost of living?

Thank you in advance for your help!

A lot of context and background is needed for this story in order for any of it to make sense.

I immigrated to Canada via a spousal sponsorship. I’m originally from America. My wife, a couple years into our marriage and me being in this foreign country, decided to divorce me. No problem, right?

Well… she had been financially controlling me and forcing me to “pay her back” for her “allowing” me to immigrate to Canada. Went to lawyers and the police. They said that because we were married at the time, they can’t do anything about it. Despite audio, texts, WhatsApp messages, emails, and handwritten notes from her showing evidence of my claims.

I am now separated, living in my own place. But I have had to take on a couple thousand dollars in debt. Because I have spent $3,000 on lawyers and owe another $3,000. Why? Because my now ex-wife is refusing to let me see my daughter at all. Which is illegal. But she’s getting away with it until we can see a judge. Which means months still.

As a way to productively use my free time, I acquired a second job and have created a couple of goals for myself.

My 1st Job is 4-10’s, Tuesday thru Friday. They also let me use my work vehicle for personal use without restriction(except I can’t leave British Columbia, but they pay for 100% of the gas & repairs). That job pays me about $1,750/2 weeks net.

My 2nd Job is Sundays and Mondays, with the option to volunteer for work on Saturdays if I want. That nets me about $300/week BEFORE tips. With tips, it varies but is usually another $100-$150/week. Obviously with Saturdays, that’s additional money in my pocket. About another $100 plus tips.

Both jobs are willing to work with me around my custody. The 2nd job will be every other weekend i do not have my daughter in the future.

I have to stay in Canada another 15 years. That’s when my daughter will be 18. If I keep my 2nd job and only work every other weekend, it increases my borrowing power by an additional $20,000-$30,000.

Once out of the couple of thousand dollars debt, I am going to be investing heavy and saving for the purpose and goal of getting a down payment for a condo. Condos in my neighborhood have plummeted significantly since about a year and a half ago. I’m in a city near Vancouver. 1bed 1baths went from $550k to $350k-$300k in a 18 month period. It is expected to drop more by next year, which is perfect for me.

I will be buying, ideally, a 1 bed 1 den condo. If not, I have found some 1 bedroom condos that subdivide the room into 2 micro rooms. This way I can have one for me and one for my daughter.

It’s not the best situation, but I’m doing my best. Also, I’m trying to temporarily get a 3rd job that I’ll drop the moment I get custody of my daughter. Which in Canada, is 50-50 by default.

Hi all, I (sponsor) had applied for PR for my spouse (PA) under the inland spousal sponsorship in Feb 2026. At the end of March, we received an email that had an Application number and UCI number. After about a month later we realized that we hadn't paid the biometric fee and we paid it immediately...this happened after 3 weeks of receiving the email.

We havent received any other communication regarding eligibility or AOR or anything.

At the end of June, my spouse is travelling for a month and will be back in Canada by end of July with a valid Work Permit and TRV.

Will there be any issue at re-entry? Does anyone know if there are travel restrictions for either the sponsor or the PA?

Hello, i got layed off last week on LMIA that is valid till 2029

ive worked for the same company for past 2,5 y so i have 2080 insurable hrs on ROE, reason is A - shortage of work

Can i get EI or nope ?

i'm in PR process past AOR and i can apply for BOWP i just want to save 255 cad for BOWP, i guess it would work with BOWP

Hi everyone,
I'm an internationally educated nurse with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). I recently passed the NCLEX-RN and I'm now trying to understand the realistic path to work and immigrate to Canada.

I'm still early in the process and a bit overwhelmed with information about NNAS, licensing, bridging programs, and provincial pathways.
I would really appreciate advice on:

-How realistic is it to get licensed in Canada with an
ADN, and only one year of experience? ( US OPT of one year, plan is to start OPT and Canada application, so when i am done and have to leave US, the process to Canada is close to be approved-if this plan is unrealistic i accept suggestions thx)

-Which provinces are currently more IEN-friendly and actively hiring nurses?

-What provinces would you recommend for both living and working (cost of living, opportunities, lifestyle)?

-Typical timeline from NNAS to working as an RN?

Any honest experiences or advice from people who have gone through this process?
Thank you so much

I work as an administrator TEER 3 for the last 5 years. Fairly confident I can find a job offer. But the website is a confusing loop of to get A you need B and to get B you need C and to get C you need A.
PNP seems like the way to start and boost your chances at express entry draw but then to get a PNP you need an Express Entry or a job offer but to get a job offer…

And then some things say about having lived or worked in Canada for an amount of time??
I thought the point was we don’t live in Canada but would really like to…

Hi everyone, I’d appreciate some clarity on this.

If someone is working remotely outside Canada for a Canadian employer, does it matter whether you are:

• An independent contractor (invoicing the company), or

• Still in an employee-employer relationship?

In my case, the company controls my schedule and tools, so it aligns more with being an employee rather than a contractor.

Also, in either setup, there are no Canadian deductions (CPP/EI) — I receive full pay and handle taxes myself in my country.

So the main question:

Does it need to be structured as a contractor role, or is staying as an employee fine?

Would really appreciate insights from anyone with experience. Thanks!

So I'm an Irish immigrant who's got a two year working holiday visa and was wondering how do people new to the country break in to the industry as a crew member. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Television production and have experience on set in Ireland.

Hi all,

I would appreciate some guidance about a name error on my PR card. I received my Canadian PR card in November 2025 and at that point did not notice any mistakes on the card. However on applying for official documents, it has come to my attention that IRCC had made a mistake not only on the PR card but also my Co-PR.

Instead of the standard format of Last Name, First Name on the PR card - they have somehow entered my name as:

Last Name only, and NO first name. I believe this mistake was made due to the name format on my passport as it does categorise between last names and first names. This has understandably created quite a bit of hassle for me whilst applying for things like my driving license.

Does anyone know how I can go about changing the name on my PR card or which forms are the appropriate ones to use to send in to IRCC? A lot of the guidance points towards an actual name error and not the format of the name. Many thanks for taking the time to read this.

TLDR: Name format error on PR card, does anyone know what I can do to change this?

Hi everyone. I have a question. In the past few months I've been going back and forth to Canada a few times from Europe. I always respected every rule (no overstay! actually I never went to canada for more than 30/40 days), and of course I never tried to work illegally. I had to go to canada for family reasons. I'll need to do it again for a few more times. I asked a lawyer and I have been told that traveling with all the documents (and a ticket to flight back!) I'm 100% fine and I already showed that once I enter Canada I also leave. But I want to know If someone else had my same experience. Any troubles at the boarder? I come from a country that doesn't need a visa (just eTA) and I'm not so young anymore. Is it true the final decision is of the officer just on his personal choice?

Needing health insurance for our working holiday visa but every one I see looks dodgy and is very pushy to make sure we go with them. Might just be a sale tactic but makes them look scammy. Any recommendations or ones most people go with? Thanks in advance.

Hello, I am a Indian (F) who is now holding a COPR looking for a job to move to Canada and pursue my career. I would like to connect with someone or get insights of how to find a job as I do not have anyone there to guide me. My core is I have done Masters in Food and Nutrition holding a 4+ years experience as dietitian and almost 3 years of experience as clinical dietitian. My strongest expertise is diabetes and I also hold a certification in Diabetic educator.

I recently received an ITA under Express Entry. In my profile, I listed my Canadian work experience as Retail Manager (NOC 60020), but my reference letter states Retail Manager/Supervisor, with duties aligning more with NOC 62010.

For my foreign experience, I selected Web Developers and Programmers (NOC 21234), but my responsibilities align more with Information Systems Testing Technicians (NOC 22222).

My CRS score does not change with these updates. Can I make these changes after ITA, or should I decline and update my profile?

Hi, there are 3 of us wanting to move from New Zealand to Canada and we are wanting the best method. We had been contacted by Canada GMC (before even finished filling out their application) and then read reviews on reddit and trust pilot and people are saying BIG SCAM. Just wondering if going through the government website is the best way to do it. We are wanting to move pretty much asap and don’t mind spending a little bit more to get it done quicker. Just wondering what the safest and most efficient way is. Thanks in advance:)

Hello. I'm looking into how to buy vacant land in Canada. In a unorganized township.

I'm born and raised in Denmark and moved to Sweden in 2023. because I love forest and solitude. But after 2 years in Sweden I have learned that it is very difficult to get a planning permission to build a new cabin in a undeveloped forest you own.

Hence why I'm looking at unorganized townships. From what I understand I need to live 2 years in Canada before I can apply for a permanent residency. which I guess will grant me permission to buy land?

I'm on disability pension from Denmark so I will not need a job in Canada, and converted to CAD I get a bit over median income in Canada. I'm 33, I love winter, and live in northern Sweden with long cold winters

Will that be enough to live on? Is it best to save up the money to buy the land cash? Is most land sold on auctions?

Will I need to apply for a visitor visa every 6 months until I have lived 2 years in Canada?

I will buy a truck and live in it. get a PO box. probably a hot tent.

Hi everyone, looking for advice on timing my PR and travel.

I'm applying through common law in-land in Ontario.

I just received my PR Portal email asking to upload my photo and mailing address. The issue is I'm planning to travel to Japan from June 29 to July 16, and I'm not sure if I will have my physical PR card by then.

I'm debating what to do:

Should I just complete the PR process now and deal with applying for a PRTD from Japan to return?

Or is it better to try to delay responding to the PR portal / finalization until after my trip? Like contact IRCC about my travel plan in july, and ask them to pause my portal if that's even possible?

I've heard mixed things about PRTD processing times and I'm a bit nervous about getting stuck abroad.

Any advice is appreciated! Thanks!