Common Law partver Visa application...Need some advice PLEASE!!

[erinmcc174]

Hi I'm in the middle of applying for my common-law partner visa and I would really appreciate some advice.
I'm from the UK and my partner is Canadian we have been together for almost 3 years and living together for 2, Ive been in Canada since September 2011. I'm currently on my second year visa through the IEC programme. Anyways I plan on staying in Canada which is why I'm applying for the common law visa. I am going to apply outland as I've been advised that the processing times are alot quicker and I've got all the necessary proof that is required such as, joint bank statements, rental leases, tickets for trips we've been on together, photos, letters etc. I'm in the middle of trying to fill out all the applicatuion forms but its just so confusing...

I understand that my partner needs to fill out all the forms so that he can apply to sponsor me, and I need to fill out the forms with all my details but I do not have any dependants so can i just leave these forms out?? Also we wont be using a representative so do I leave those forms out also? One more thing is i know that I need to have a medical but there are no forms relating to that so is that something i do after i have sent off my appplication? And if Im applying outland do I send everything to the office in the UK or does my partner have to apply withing canada first and then they will send everything onto the UK??


As you can see im a little confused so any help would be much appreciated!!!

Thanks in advance

 

[Sweden]

Hey erinmcc174,

Welcome to the forum!

Outland is the way to go for you indeed, and you can stay in Canada during the process. The only thing is that you need to make sure that you maintain a valid status once your IEC visa runs out, having applied outland for PR doesn't extend it etc. So once you are running out of time on your IEC visa, make sure that you convert it into a visitor visa.

Leave out the extra dorms for dependents and representative if you are not going to use them, but put "n/a" on the check list ( in the "part 3" of the application package, there is a check list to use). Also - make sure you sign that you don't have any dependents on the correct forms to CIC is aware.

For the medicals - the procedure changed recently, so now you just need to call one of the panel physicians on CIC list ( you'll find it on CIC website), and ask how many pictures they need, and book your appointment. You don't need to bring any form anymore. Make sure that you tell them you are applying outland ( they might assume you're applying inland because you're in Canada). At the end of the visit, the doctor will give you a form, signed and stamped, with your picture, and you can add that to your application to show that you have done the medicals. You won't need to wait for the results, having the slip of paper is enough. Make sure that you do your medicals BEFORE sending the application, otherwise your application would be incomplete, BUT wait until the last minute, as the medicals are only valid for one year. So if you plan to send your application in 2 months, wait a little before doing it. Although London is a fast office and you'll most likely be done before a year, it's best to have as much time as possible on your medicals.

You need to send everything together, as one package, containing: sponsored forms + sponsor forms + proofs of relationship (follow the check list in the part 3, it helps a lot!). Everything goes to mississauga first, where they mostly look at the sponsor's part, and determine if if he eligible to sponsor you (usually that's quite a fast process, currently stated at 50 days but quite a few people get done before that). Then Mississauga will send your application to London, and you wait again! there is a UK thread if you want to join (now or later on!), and you can see the spreadsheet in my signature, it will give you a bit of an idea how long it takes usually...

Good luck with your application, don't hesitate to ask questions - I would suggest also to read the first post by Leon, called "spousal sponsorship" ( not all the thread, only the beginning!), it lays out what you need to know about the process.

Cheers!
Sweden

 

[canadianwoman]

I understand that my partner needs to fill out all the forms so that he can apply to sponsor me, and I need to fill out the forms with all my details but I do not have any dependants so can i just leave these forms out??

Yes. You do still have to fill out the form Additional Family Information IMM 5406.

Also we wont be using a representative so do I leave those forms out also?

Yes.

One more thing is i know that I need to have a medical but there are no forms relating to that so is that something i do after i have sent off my appplication?

You do it before you send in the application. The details should be in the country guide with your application- this is part 3 of the application; the information guide for West Europe is the one you want. The doctor now has the forms, and will give you a copy of them to add to the application.

And if Im applying outland do I send everything to the office in the UK or does my partner have to apply withing canada first and then they will send everything onto the UK??

You and your partner send your forms in together to the visa office in Mississauga. CIC will process the sponsor's forms there, then send everything to your visa office (London, I guess).

 

[Sweden]

canadianwoman - thanks for the correction about IMM 5406 - indeed that one needs to be included, was thinking about the dependent part that you can remove in the forms if you have no dependent.
Cheers!
Sweden

 

[erinmcc174]

Thanks Sweden and Canadian woman... both very helpful!! Im sure I'll have more questions before i send everything off!

 

[erinmcc174]

Hi Guys, another question relating to the application.
So I'm filling out the IMM 5406 Additional family information form and I'm just wondering do i need to put my entire familys details on this even though they wont be living in canada. Also I assume that under the spouse or common law section I would list my boyfriends details?

He is the one sponsoring me so I should list him there right? Sorry if these are dumb questions I just dont want to make any mistakes.

Thanks

 

[Sweden]

in section A; you, your bf, and your parents
Section B: nothing if you don't have children
Section C: your own brothers, sisters, half, step etc, even if they are not coming to Canada with you.
Good luck,
Sweden

 

[erinmcc174]

Thanks Sweden! One more thing... where do pay for the visa application? It mentions on the checklist that I have to include a copy of receipt (IMM 5401) is this something i get after I make the payment? Can I pay online?

 

[amikety]

If you pay it online, you can print off the receipt.

If you pay it at a bank, you have to ask immigration to mail you a blank receipt first, then go pay it.

I did option 2. Giant pain in the rear. Pay online if you can

PS If you pay online, there's no Copy 1 or 2. That's for bank receipts.

 

[Sweden]

and you will have to add manually the details on the receipt ( trying to anticipate your next question ), you can put the sponsor's details, and if you use somebody else's credit card, it doesn't matter as long as you put to which application it belongs, it's all good!
good luck!
Sweden

 

[erinmcc174]

Thanks again for the info guys. Just one more thing, can I still use the online payment option even though I am applying to the London UK office? It says on the website that that online payments are if you are applying from withing Canada.
So can i still use this option?

 

[Sweden]

Thanks again for the info guys. Just one more thing, can I still use the online payment option even though I am applying to the London UK office? It says on the website that that online payments are if you are applying from withing Canada.
So can i still use this option?

yes you can! your application will be going to Mississauga first, so it's going to an office "in canada" and then to London, so you can use the online option (it's even the preferred option). It's not available for other types of visa that are handled by the visa offices outside of Canada from beginning to the end, but it's not your case. So go ahead!
Sweden

 

[amikety]

Just to add - you might want to call the credit card company/bank to authorize the charge. Sometimes it denies it just because it's foreign.

 

[erinmcc174]

Hi Guys,

One more question. It says that I need to provide at least 2 statutory declarations from individuals with personal knowledge of my relationship. Does this mean that i need to get 2 friends or family members to write a statement confirming that my relationship is real? Do they just need to write signed letters or something?

thanks!

 

[canadianwoman]

You need to get two family members or friends to write that your relationship is genuine. They can add how they know you, when they met your partner, what details they can provide showing why they think the relationship is real.
They then take this statement to a lawyer and get it made into an affidavit. That is a statutory declaration. They could also swear it in front of a notary public.