AM I LEGAL OR ILLEGAL?

[nancy.caregiver]

I am a live-in caregiver for one and a half years here in BC. I entered Canada using the surname of my estranged husband.

Three months before I was asked by the Canadian Consulate to provide my credential for the work visa, I discovered that my marriage was not legitimate with my husband - he had a previous and legal marriage 5 years before we got "married". With time constraints, I had no more access and time to change my marital status and surname legally, in which I had no choice but to proceed with my application using the surname of my husband. My passport identifies me having the surname of my husband and a "married" status. Technically, in the eyes of the Philippines (National Statistics Office), I am not married and can not legally obtain the surname of my husband.

Here are my questions:

1. Am I here, illegally because of my some untrue identity?
2. Do I have a work around for this identity issues?
3. I am worried that come 6 months from now, I'll encounter problems with my PR application and what should a legally do?


Help me please, I am so desperate now...


Nancyy Caregiver

 

[Leon]

As far as CIC is concerned, the name on your passport is your legal name. If you want to clear this up with CIC, you can tell them now that you have found out that your marriage was not legitimate and that you do not have a claim to use this surname and ask them to change it but then you should also do the same in the Philippines and get a new passport. It is possible that you could have problems if they find out about this later.

 

[BCguy]

Hi
What a coincidence,I just helped a caregiver yesterday with exactly the same problem with CIC,I was able to help with the help of the staff of MP Don Davis and one of the managers of West Coast Domestic called me to ask for help with complex issues they cannot solve.That can be resolved but it should be explained to CIC as early as possibile and regularized.It is kinda complicated to explain how to fix it.Contact me by PM so that I can give you contact details to discuss your problem.Are you in Vancouver???

 

[nancy.caregiver]

yes i am.

 

[abhi_hola]

i thin your case is too complex; pls speak with an attorney

 

[BCguy]

Actually its not,I just sucessfully resolved another similiar case yesterday,In this case the Caregiver kept her marraige to her boyfriend secret and went to Canada with her single name and status as single,She only disclosed her real status to CIC after 2 years when her family found out.There was only letters of explanation needed.

 

[nancy.caregiver]

and how/where will I provide this letter.

Im just afraid of the repercussions of my actions that I get deported because of the gravity of the error on my part.