Canadian living in Greece and returning back

[Christos]

Hello everyone

A little information about me:

My name is Chris.I was born in Canada in 1969 and moved to Greece in 1981.Since then I have never visited Canada.
I'm planning to move back permanently and bring along my common-law partner and my little dog.

I would kindly like some clarification and any help!

I don't want to take up your time so basically I'm planning to return permanently and find a job.Due to some circumstances regarding the translation of my birth certificate (the official birth certificate here in Greece,states that the town I was born in,was "Henderson" Ontario) in which General Henderson Hospital in Hamilton Ontario,was where I was born.

Because of that mistake the translated birth certificate which I have is NOT valid, for the Canadian Embassy here in Greece.I was told that I have to have a new one issued from Toronto,which will take up to 2 months (time that I don't have) So because of this mix up ,I have issued a European (Greek) passport (which states that I was born in Canada) and I had my Greek I.D.card,translated in English (by an official translator (in which again it states I was born in Canada)

So I am planning to travel to Canada with my Greek passport and get my Canadian (along with my birth certificate) there.

Will I encounter any problems at the airport?Should I mention that I am planning to stay and find a job,even though I have a Greek passport and having my Canadian issued there?

Regarding my common law partner (we have been together for 14 years) I was thinking of fiiling all the forms from Canada,thinking that it would be better to have job and steady income before I apply for sponsorship.

Any thought and help would be helpful!!

Chris

 

[Leon]

You can travel on your Greek passport and explain the situation to immigration as you arrive. You shouldn't have a problem.

It is not a bad idea to wait until you have a job to start the sponsorship. There is no specific income requirement to sponsor a spouse but immigration wants to know that you will not end up on welfare so having a job is good. Your spouse has to fill out some of the forms. She can come visit you or you can mail them back and forth in order to do that.

 

[Christos]

Hello

Thank you for the advice.That's what I'm going to do.Regarding my common law partner,I've gathered some documents (mostly bills and joint bank account information) which state that her and my address was the same.These documents are from a period of 2000 - 2014.

My problem is that I don't know which and how many I should include in my sponsorship forms (which I intend to fill in Canada) My other problem is that obviously I can't include all of them because they are in Greek and I have (?) to translate them in English.Each document costs about 10$ to translate!

Which documents should I include?For sure,the joint bank accounts which have both are names.They are from the years 2009 - 2010 - 2011 - 2012.Should I include some bills from each year which show the same mailing address,both mine and hers?

Any advice would be helpful!

Thank you

Chris

 

[Regina]

Yes you could get some documents from different years translated into English. They just need to see that they are from some years but not each and every document you have. To help you to understand what you should expect at the airport and what you need to prepare read this:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/enf/enf04-eng.pdf
para 9


It looks like you "strange" birth certificate could be enough for a border officer to admit your Canadian Citizenship.

 

[Christos]

Thank you.

It's not a strange birth certificate,I have.It's just old.I have had it translated and it states where I was born,which hospital,date,time etc.

I will be taking it along with me.I also have an OLD school transportation card!! Apart from it bringing memories I think it would help!

Another question is that I'm planning to bring (afterwards) some personal things,mostly books,items,papers,diplomas etc.No appliances.They're in 24 boxes.They'll arrive with a small container.Do they pass customs?Will I have to open each box?I don't have anything to hide,or anything illegal.I'm asking so I know if there are fees,that I'll have to pay and basically what is the procedure in this situation?