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Legally Separated - IRCC keeps asking for Divorce Certificate

vijvipin

Newbie
Dec 12, 2022
3
0
Hi

I have applied for Express Entry on May 2021 under Canadian Experience Class. Its has been a long 1.7 years wait for my decision which is emotionally and mentally Draining.
My Spouse and Myself are separated with no scope for reconciliation for the last 3 years. She has obtained a Injunction order which prevents me from any sort of contact with her. The divorce proceedings are happening in a family court in India. Contrary to the divorce proceedings in Canada or US, the divorce proceedings are long and takes years to complete in India especially if its a contested divorce ( No mutual signoff between both the parties). For reference, Divorce case filed in 2018-2019 is currently being called for hearing and decision making in my court. So with a non cooperating partner and her contestation i also expect my Divorce formalities to be completed in ONLY atleast 2-3 years ( 2024-2025).

After going through a lot of forums, i applied my express entry application as LEGALLY SEPARATED , which as per Ircc is "Legally Separated: Separated means that two people are married but no longer living together, and they do not wish to live together again. They may be waiting for a divorce or have not yet decided to divorce." I have selected legally separated as my marital status and have not claimed any points of my spouse. I have submitted the following documents
  1. Affidavit of Separation.
  2. Affidavit to prove that i will not sponsor my spouse to Canada.
  3. Divorce Filing documents from Indian Court
  4. Case diaries which shows the dates and outcome of hearings/ to prove that the hearings are still happening in court.
  5. Letter of opinion from the attorney (Assigned lawyer)regarding divorce pending status at court.
  6. Notarized Court documents.
  7. Legal Opinion letter from an Legal Immigration Attorney, Canada.
Even after providing all these supporting documents, I have received multiple request letters and a at last a Procedure Fairness Letter to submit the Divorce certificate. I could understand that if i have filed my express entry as "divorced", then it makes sense for the immigration office to ask for divorce document. However, even after filing as separated, why is Divorce certificate mandatory?- even when IRCC itself states that "they may be waiting for a divorce or have not yet decided to divorce". Now, i have again submitted a letter of explanation, that my divorce proceedings are still happening and delayed because of non cooperation of my spouse and court delays. It is beyond my control and ability to provide timelines on court times of completion of my divorce case and obtain a DIVORCE CERTIFICATE.

After being in Canada since 2019, now i really fear that i will have to leave the country due to refusal of my express entry application as my BOWP will also be terminated along with it.

Is there anything i can do to avoid this? Will my permanent residence application be approved while waiting being at the Separated status? Any help or inputs will be highly appreciated.
 

Ultraxion

Hero Member
May 10, 2022
258
190
Try to finalize your divorce asap. Judging from the titles of the documents, they are either showing that you are in a process of getting a divorce, or self-serving (i.e. the affidavits, attorney's opinion etc.), not *legally* separated. Order GCMS notes if you wish to see how your processing officer thinks about your case.
IRCC is very serious on examining family members whether or not they are accompanying, or if you are going to sponsor them in the future.
 

dimplesimple

Star Member
Mar 22, 2023
141
38
Hi, do you have update on this? i have similar situation. could you let me know how you proceeded and did you get decision on your application yet?
 

opt4

Member
May 20, 2020
19
0
Hi im sailing the same boat. Can you please shed some light on this ? Have you got the PR with out divorce certificate?
 

Namreen

Newbie
Jun 7, 2024
5
1
Hi Same situation , Not divorced yet applying as legally seperated , please can you reply if you had any good luck with PR with out divorce finalized
 
Nov 1, 2024
3
0
Yes, My PR application was approved. But I gave every piece of evidence I had
I am in a similar situation, ongoing divorce since 3½ years in India and been living in Canada since Dec 2022. Uncooperative spouse hence no possibility of seperation agreement.

My Timeline
BCPNP Nomination 23rd July 2023
ITA 29th July 2023
ADR for court papers 28th Nov 2023
ADR for divorce decree 2nd Jan 2024
Mail for divorce decree 25th April 2024
.... I am still awaiting their response....

Submissions:
3rd Dec 2023 - Notarized Court Documents
9th Jan 2024 - LOE explaing ongoing divorce
25th Feb 2024 - Statutory Declaration (for never sponsoring my ex) 9 Testimonials from daughter, family, colleagues and friends (including canadian citizens)
15th April 2024 - Inquiry through MP's office

Right now have approached an immigration lawyer to explain my legal seperation to IRCC.

@sabensaid92 if you could guide me what further documents did you put forth it woukd be really helpful to me.
 
Nov 1, 2024
3
0
Hi

I have applied for Express Entry on May 2021 under Canadian Experience Class. Its has been a long 1.7 years wait for my decision which is emotionally and mentally Draining.
My Spouse and Myself are separated with no scope for reconciliation for the last 3 years. She has obtained a Injunction order which prevents me from any sort of contact with her. The divorce proceedings are happening in a family court in India. Contrary to the divorce proceedings in Canada or US, the divorce proceedings are long and takes years to complete in India especially if its a contested divorce ( No mutual signoff between both the parties). For reference, Divorce case filed in 2018-2019 is currently being called for hearing and decision making in my court. So with a non cooperating partner and her contestation i also expect my Divorce formalities to be completed in ONLY atleast 2-3 years ( 2024-2025).

After going through a lot of forums, i applied my express entry application as LEGALLY SEPARATED , which as per Ircc is "Legally Separated: Separated means that two people are married but no longer living together, and they do not wish to live together again. They may be waiting for a divorce or have not yet decided to divorce." I have selected legally separated as my marital status and have not claimed any points of my spouse. I have submitted the following documents
  1. Affidavit of Separation.
  2. Affidavit to prove that i will not sponsor my spouse to Canada.
  3. Divorce Filing documents from Indian Court
  4. Case diaries which shows the dates and outcome of hearings/ to prove that the hearings are still happening in court.
  5. Letter of opinion from the attorney (Assigned lawyer)regarding divorce pending status at court.
  6. Notarized Court documents.
  7. Legal Opinion letter from an Legal Immigration Attorney, Canada.
Even after providing all these supporting documents, I have received multiple request letters and a at last a Procedure Fairness Letter to submit the Divorce certificate. I could understand that if i have filed my express entry as "divorced", then it makes sense for the immigration office to ask for divorce document. However, even after filing as separated, why is Divorce certificate mandatory?- even when IRCC itself states that "they may be waiting for a divorce or have not yet decided to divorce". Now, i have again submitted a letter of explanation, that my divorce proceedings are still happening and delayed because of non cooperation of my spouse and court delays. It is beyond my control and ability to provide timelines on court times of completion of my divorce case and obtain a DIVORCE CERTIFICATE.

After being in Canada since 2019, now i really fear that i will have to leave the country due to refusal of my express entry application as my BOWP will also be terminated along with it.

Is there anything i can do to avoid this? Will my permanent residence application be approved while waiting being at the Separated status? Any help or inputs will be highly appreciated.

What is your update? Did you recieve your PR? I am hoping yes, what documents helped get you the PR? Please respond I'm also very dire, been waiting for 15 months for the decision and may have to return if I do not recieve a response soon.
 
Nov 1, 2024
3
0
For those who may follow this thread... I have finally got a letter drafted by a lawyer explaining my court documents and that I'm legallu seperated since April 2021 (which means my divorce case is ongoing since then) and trying to build my future in Canada for me and my daughter, and we sent it to IRCC yesterday.
I have responded to the mail recieved and as well as updated the webform and now we wait for their response.

Fingers crossed

I am in a similar situation, ongoing divorce since 3½ years in India and been living in Canada since Dec 2022. Uncooperative spouse hence no possibility of seperation agreement.

My Timeline
BCPNP Nomination 23rd July 2023
ITA 29th July 2023
ADR for court papers 28th Nov 2023
ADR for divorce decree 2nd Jan 2024
Mail for divorce decree 25th April 2024
.... I am still awaiting their response....

Submissions:
3rd Dec 2023 - Notarized Court Documents
9th Jan 2024 - LOE explaing ongoing divorce
25th Feb 2024 - Statutory Declaration (for never sponsoring my ex) 9 Testimonials from daughter, family, colleagues and friends (including canadian citizens)
15th April 2024 - Inquiry through MP's office

Right now have approached an immigration lawyer to explain my legal seperation to IRCC.

@sabensaid92 if you could guide me what further documents did you put forth it woukd be really helpful to me.