HKVO advice needed

[armoured]

Hi dw33, I've been checking on your posts and I am kind of in the same situation as you except I have a common-law partner and we've not yet applied (will in a week or 2). My partner and I also live in China. MACAU to be exact. Do we really need to do all you just said for me (sponsor) to just show intent? That's quite extreme...It's making me anxious. What did you actually submit to show intent initially? The only thing for me that I can think of is to get my mother to write a letter and say that we will be living in her place. Also, I got a dog, so I will be contacting airlines and stuff to move her. I can also show that I'm "looking" or "researching" about the jobs I can find in my field when I get to Canada. What else is there to show ???

On a slightly different matter in your file: what proofs do you have that you are living together and have done for at least 12 months? Burden of proof on common law is on you, and they will scrutinize that carefully. (Or make your life easier and get married)

Note dw33's case is at a later stage. Read through this and other threads about how to demonstrate intent. You don't necessarily need to quit your job and buy a house that far in advance (although if you can do all those things in advance, sure). You need to show intent - a plan - how you will move, support yourselves, live in Canada, etc. Then be prepared later in process to show more information.

Also note - I think dw33's case was complicated a bit by not having spent much time nor having many ties in Canada, for years. My file, for example, I'd maintained many parts of ties in Canada despite having been abroad for some time.

 

[dw33]

Hi dw33, I've been checking on your posts and I am kind of in the same situation as you except I have a common-law partner and we've not yet applied (will in a week or 2). My partner and I also live in China. MACAU to be exact. Do we really need to do all you just said for me (sponsor) to just show intent? That's quite extreme...It's making me anxious. What did you actually submit to show intent initially? The only thing for me that I can think of is to get my mother to write a letter and say that we will be living in her place. Also, I got a dog, so I will be contacting airlines and stuff to move her. I can also show that I'm "looking" or "researching" about the jobs I can find in my field when I get to Canada. What else is there to show ???

I will.respond to this after just running around town right now soing stuff. I appreciate everyones help

 

[armoured]

How dobwe upload on gckeys when the time comes? I am.not a computer guy at all.

What did the original email say? Did it say to upload in gckeys, or to reply to the email?

(I did not use gckey to upload any responses and not sure that you can - but if it does, there will be an upload attachments button that lets you then pick files to attach)

 

[el_0211]

On a slightly different matter in your file: what proofs do you have that you are living together and have done for at least 12 months? Burden of proof on common law is on you, and they will scrutinize that carefully. (Or make your life easier and get married)

Note dw33's case is at a later stage. Read through this and other threads about how to demonstrate intent. You don't necessarily need to quit your job and buy a house that far in advance (although if you can do all those things in advance, sure). You need to show intent - a plan - how you will move, support yourselves, live in Canada, etc. Then be prepared later in process to show more information.

Also note - I think dw33's case was complicated a bit by not having spent much time nor having many ties in Canada, for years. My file, for example, I'd maintained many parts of ties in Canada despite having been abroad for some time.

Hi armoured. I haven't been in Canada since 2013/14. I left when I was still a student. I came back to Canada every single summer (1-2 months only) until Covid hit, so 2020 summer I did not go. I don't really have many ties except that my mom lives there, and I have a bank account there, but inactive of course. What other ties did you maintain? Other than a property/bank account? As for common-law, my partner and I already lived for a year together so we got all the proofs.

 

[Phalos]

Then FedEx to the HK office with a tracking number.

you're not supposed to send anything paper based, everything is done online. FYI>

 

[el_0211]

I will.respond to this after just running around town right now soing stuff. I appreciate everyones help

Sure please take your time lol

 

[dw33]

What did the original email say? Did it say to upload in gckeys, or to reply to the email?

(I did not use gckey to upload any responses and not sure that you can - but if it does, there will be an upload attachments button that lets you then pick files to attach)

Online.account does that mean gckeys?

 

[armoured]

Online.account does that mean gckeys?

Sorry, without context I don't know what that means.

 

[el_0211]

On a slightly different matter in your file: what proofs do you have that you are living together and have done for at least 12 months? Burden of proof on common law is on you, and they will scrutinize that carefully. (Or make your life easier and get married)

Note dw33's case is at a later stage. Read through this and other threads about how to demonstrate intent. You don't necessarily need to quit your job and buy a house that far in advance (although if you can do all those things in advance, sure). You need to show intent - a plan - how you will move, support yourselves, live in Canada, etc. Then be prepared later in process to show more information.

Also note - I think dw33's case was complicated a bit by not having spent much time nor having many ties in Canada, for years. My file, for example, I'd maintained many parts of ties in Canada despite having been abroad for some time.

I just re-read your first question about what proofs I got and I didn't reply to you on that in my first response. We got a 1-year lease, utility bills such as phone bill, electric bill, water bill, credit card statements. These utility bills are not joint however, they only have one name on them each. For example electric bill is on my name and water bill on my partner's name. (Is that OK though for it not to be joint?) We also got a joint bank account which was opened in 2019. Also got some delivery packages sent in our names. I guess that's about it for what we got. Do you think it is enough ...

 

[armoured]

Hi armoured. I haven't been in Canada since 2013/14. I left when I was still a student. I came back to Canada every single summer (1-2 months only) until Covid hit, so 2020 summer I did not go. I don't really have many ties except that my mom lives there, and I have a bank account there, but inactive of course. What other ties did you maintain? Other than a property/bank account? As for common-law, my partner and I already lived for a year together so we got all the proofs.

You mean you haven't lived in Canada since 2013/14 but have visited most summers since?

Now keep in mind every file is different etc and I don't know which of the differences matter - we can only infer. And given history I think there is some additional attention to applicants from China not intending to reside in Canada, just maintain the 'third leg' or backup residency.

But yes, I showed frequent visits with family, pictures from those visits, letters from family regarding intention to return, their support, etc. I had/have active bank accounts and savings in Canada, and a few other ongoing ties, mailing address, memberships. But I also had resigned from position, so that was perhaps decisive, I don't know how they evaluated.

I repeat: check what proof you have of common law residing together (for how long?); what seems obvious to you and clear to meet test of common law may not seem so to visa officer. Or make things easier and get married.

 

[Western Mountain Man]

you're not supposed to send anything paper based, everything is done online. FYI>

We used FedEx to send info to the HK office. They were very fast!
Maybe things have changed due to covid?

 

[armoured]

I just re-read your first question about what proofs I got and I didn't reply to you on that in my first response. We got a 1-year lease, utility bills such as phone bill, electric bill, water bill, credit card statements. These utility bills are not joint however, they only have one name on them each. For example electric bill is on my name and water bill on my partner's name. (Is that OK though for it not to be joint?) We also got a joint bank account which was opened in 2019. Also got some delivery packages sent in our names. I guess that's about it for what we got. Do you think it is enough ...

I don't feel qualified to say if it is enough although you do seem to have the basics. Make sure it is absolute minimum one year prior to date you apply. It WILL get more scrutiny. Being married reduces the extra scrutiny.

Keep in mind - the minimum test for common law is necessary but not sufficient. The test in a common law basis is (very roughly stated) holding themselves out to be a conjugal (married) couple and held by the community to be such. It is a public test as well as a 'we lived together' test.

I personally really feel it should primarily be used in cases where the couple are undeniably together and have been "for ages." (Undefined time period)

 

[el_0211]

You mean you haven't lived in Canada since 2013/14 but have visited most summers since?

Now keep in mind every file is different etc and I don't know which of the differences matter - we can only infer. And given history I think there is some additional attention to applicants from China not intending to reside in Canada, just maintain the 'third leg' or backup residency.

But yes, I showed frequent visits with family, pictures from those visits, letters from family regarding intention to return, their support, etc. I had/have active bank accounts and savings in Canada, and a few other ongoing ties, mailing address, memberships. But I also had resigned from position, so that was perhaps decisive, I don't know how they evaluated.

I repeat: check what proof you have of common law residing together (for how long?); what seems obvious to you and clear to meet test of common law may not seem so to visa officer. Or make things easier and get married.

Thanks alot for your suggestions. May I ask when did you apply and where did you apply from ?

 

[armoured]

Thanks alot for your suggestions. May I ask when did you apply and where did you apply from ?

Fall 2019 from Russia.

 

[el_0211]

Fall 2019 from Russia.

Did you apply common law? Did you already get your approval?