My husband an I went through the agony, invasion, wackiness of the spouse sponsorship. A 10 year relationship,friendship to marriage rule :not genuine: He is born in India. We were treated like we committed some crime. I found out that racism is very much alive in Canada too. I am a born in Canada citizen. Despite presenting letters from friends and family in support. The impact on my practice, both my husband and I's health being apart. IAD said go to appeal. Nope, not to a country that told me they really do not care about me or anyone or anything around me. Not to a country that thinks I am too stupid and somehow they know my husband better then me?
We refused to appeal and go through anymore abuse and pure silliness. Despite Canada's best efforts to break a marriage hubby and I are doing just fine. No plans of divorce. I will be relocating to India and happy to do so. Ours is a older couple marriage. I can carry my profession( accountant and bookkeeper) clients with me due to wonderful online programs. I have a widow's pension from a previous marriage and can get my own early pension soon. Years of appeals, money spent, the judgements, stress and disrespect is not a good choice for us.
We married each other, not each other's country. Of the 32 million born in Canada citizens 3 million live out of Canada. To prepare I joined expats groups, made some good friends. Wives of Indian men.Surprise surprise, they are happy there. More and more esp retirees are living in low cost countries to have a good retirement and escape the winters too.
I was quite prepared from the start to relocate. I think you have to be when you marry someone from another country. Over the years with this set up of spouse sponsorship in Canada process. Some stay and fight. Some choose to leave and have their married life elsewhere. I will always be Canadian and retain ties here. Come for a visit. There was a time I was very patriotic and believed Canada to be a free humane country. This whole process has shown me this is not quite true. And it's kinda scary to realise we are not the free country we are told we are.
It took me a bit to get over the pain and shock. I am preparing now for reuniting with my husband and a new chapter in life. Many choose this willingly and with excitement. I am a deeply spiritual person and take the higher view. I am meant to go to India. Good Luck to the rest of you who choose to fight. Choose to call Canada home.