A little advice needed from those who have done sponsorships

[SeeCe]

I am living with my fiance' in northern England and we are planning to get married. I am wondering the best time to get married, before, during or after the sponorship? Does it matter? Also, seeing as we are not yet married does anyone know the best type of sponsorship for us? I am doing my research on it but would also like some advice from those that have gone through the process. I am Canadian and she is British. Any advice would be helpful. Thankyou

 

[fallenstar831]

My husband is British and I am Canadian. We waited for marriage to apply. Our application took about 2.5 months once we submitted.

Additionally, not being married, you could apply for as commonlaw if you have been living together for a year. But you have to be prepared to prove that.

I recommond that you get married, if you are planning it already. My husband and I talked about it and we knew we were going to end up there, so we just pushed it ahead a bit to make immigration easier.

Best of luck!

 

[kc416]

I recommend to get married and then apply right away for the outland spousal sponsorship. No matter what type of sponsorship there is always some kinda proving to do..... just make sure to have pictures, bills, recipets, letters, everything!

not sure what footy team your soon to be hubby cheers for but tell him i say GO WOLVES!

Good Luck

 

[toby]

I agree with the other responders that getting married provides the easier route. Proving conjugal or common-law relationships is more difficult.

However, unless you're in a hurry to apply for residency, I'd wait a few months after the marriage, to avoid the possible appearance that you arranged it just for the visa. Even with legitimate marriages, the visa officer is required to check whether the relationship is legitimate or a scam to get the visa. That's his or her job.

 

[fallenstar831]

We didn't wait at all. We applied right away. As long as yu can prove the relationship before the marriage there is nothing to worry about. Esentially, once you are married you want to be together right?, so applying quickly does not look bad at all.

Maybe if you had only known eachother for a few weeks, but if you have a long tern sustained reltionhsip you will be fine.

 

[kc416]

FYI

I knew hubby 2 years before marriage then got married in middle January and applied early March and had hubby home in the 30% time frame!

 

[bobshynoswife]

toby -

Why would I want to wait a few months to apply after marrying my husband? We want to be together as a family as quickly as possible. We are getting married in April and I will mail the application a week later. Is this going to look bad for us?

If you have a genuine marriage, wouldn't they question why you waited 2 months before applying? If you love someone and want to marry them, it stands to reason you would want to live together as soon as possible, wouldn't it?

 

[fallenstar831]

We are getting married in April and I will mail the application a week later. Is this going to look bad for us?

Not at all. It is proving that the relationship exsisted before the marriage that the CIC is interested in.

We applied within a few weeks as well and got approved in the 30% timeline as well.

 

[SeeCe]

We have kept all our emails, phone bills that show our calls, pictures with all her friends and family. We think once we land back in Canada we will apply for an extension to the temporary visa so she can meet all my family and get settled in our place before marriage. We are thinking that would be better for our case and to have family at the wedding also would be nice. We just want everything to go smoothly and have all our bases covered. Thank you everyone for your advice. It has been truly a great help

 

[canadianwoman]

I'd also advise getting married before the application, but whatever you do, don't get married DURING the application. It just confuses things, and too many things can go wrong.

 

[toby]

I counselled waiting a few months before applying to avoid the appearance that you got married just to obtain a visa. Waiting a while suggests that your marriage was a consideration in and of iteslf, separate from the residency visa.

However, I also assumed (without verifying it) that you were living together. If you are living apart, I can certainly see the need to apply right away, without further delays.

In any event, others have since mentioned that they applied successfully right after the marriage -- so disreegard my advice , as I'm sure you have done. ;D