Friends,
My case is quite complicated but I will try to summarize.
I am a U.S. citizen, permanent resident of Nicaragua since 2006 (though 2 years in that period I spent back in the U.S.). My common-law partner is a Nicaraguan citizen.
In March 2008 we applied for PR under the Federal Skilled Worker program via Buffalo--since we were in the U.S. at that time--but that application was then ruled ineligible for processing because of the change in accepted occupations.
We have recently applied for TRVs via Guatemala--study permit for me, and open work permit for my partner as accompanying spouse.
It is still our hope to apply for PR in Canada, eventually, in one of the employment-based categories--either Canadian Experience Class or Skilled Worker depending on how the rules change between now and then. :
In our current application, we clearly stated that we had a previous application for immigration, and we also submitted a letter directly addressing the issue of dual intent since we saw no benefit to trying to "hide" our intentions.
We just received forms for medical exams, and it was also requested that I send additional information about my motivation for studies (evidence of employment background etc. that relates to the program), as well evidence of my ties to Nicaragua. First part is easy, second less so...
My main tie to Nicaragua, of course, is my partner. Her main tie to Nicaragua is her family. We constructed an apartment on land that belonged to her grandmother but right now there is no official deed to that property, b/c it's a looooong process in Nica. and when we do get the deed, it will be in my partner's name only. I have been employed almost full-time since returning in May of last year, but without an official contract and for a foreign company.
With respect to my ties to the U.S., all of my family is there and I own a property there that is currently rented out. I think some would actually argue that having a large mortgage debt while earning on a Nicaragua pay scale is actually an argument for my wanting to stay outside the U.S., but anyway...
I know that "proving ties" to a country other than Canada is the heart of any temporary resident application. But my question is, do I try to argue that I actually have ties to two countries outside Canada, or do I focus exclusively on Nicaragua since that's what they asked for?
Any ideas on what kind of "proof" I might submit? As alluded to, I don't really have any hard evidence of my ties to Nicaragua other than that I have spent more time here than anywhere else (by a small margin) in the past 5 years and I have also gone to considerable trouble to secure permanent residency, which very very few gringos here bother to do. I could probably get a letter from my present employer saying what a stellar employee I've been, etc. etc. but that is no guarantee of employment two years from now when I would finish my studies, especially since my proposed program has nothing to do with the field I'm currently working in. Letters of support from family members or people in the community talking about my integration/presence in town? (truth is I haven't been all that involved in the community since I tend to spend time with my partner and her family mostly, but I could probably come up with a letter or two)...
Just looking for some creative ideas, if any one has any thoughts to offer...
Thanks in advance.
Sarah
My case is quite complicated but I will try to summarize.
I am a U.S. citizen, permanent resident of Nicaragua since 2006 (though 2 years in that period I spent back in the U.S.). My common-law partner is a Nicaraguan citizen.
In March 2008 we applied for PR under the Federal Skilled Worker program via Buffalo--since we were in the U.S. at that time--but that application was then ruled ineligible for processing because of the change in accepted occupations.
We have recently applied for TRVs via Guatemala--study permit for me, and open work permit for my partner as accompanying spouse.
It is still our hope to apply for PR in Canada, eventually, in one of the employment-based categories--either Canadian Experience Class or Skilled Worker depending on how the rules change between now and then. :
In our current application, we clearly stated that we had a previous application for immigration, and we also submitted a letter directly addressing the issue of dual intent since we saw no benefit to trying to "hide" our intentions.
We just received forms for medical exams, and it was also requested that I send additional information about my motivation for studies (evidence of employment background etc. that relates to the program), as well evidence of my ties to Nicaragua. First part is easy, second less so...
My main tie to Nicaragua, of course, is my partner. Her main tie to Nicaragua is her family. We constructed an apartment on land that belonged to her grandmother but right now there is no official deed to that property, b/c it's a looooong process in Nica. and when we do get the deed, it will be in my partner's name only. I have been employed almost full-time since returning in May of last year, but without an official contract and for a foreign company.
With respect to my ties to the U.S., all of my family is there and I own a property there that is currently rented out. I think some would actually argue that having a large mortgage debt while earning on a Nicaragua pay scale is actually an argument for my wanting to stay outside the U.S., but anyway...
I know that "proving ties" to a country other than Canada is the heart of any temporary resident application. But my question is, do I try to argue that I actually have ties to two countries outside Canada, or do I focus exclusively on Nicaragua since that's what they asked for?
Any ideas on what kind of "proof" I might submit? As alluded to, I don't really have any hard evidence of my ties to Nicaragua other than that I have spent more time here than anywhere else (by a small margin) in the past 5 years and I have also gone to considerable trouble to secure permanent residency, which very very few gringos here bother to do. I could probably get a letter from my present employer saying what a stellar employee I've been, etc. etc. but that is no guarantee of employment two years from now when I would finish my studies, especially since my proposed program has nothing to do with the field I'm currently working in. Letters of support from family members or people in the community talking about my integration/presence in town? (truth is I haven't been all that involved in the community since I tend to spend time with my partner and her family mostly, but I could probably come up with a letter or two)...
Just looking for some creative ideas, if any one has any thoughts to offer...
Thanks in advance.
Sarah
