I want to sponsor my husband

[sourblush]

Hi, I am 23yrs old. I got married to my bf in june 2010(we were in a relationship since the past 6 yrs) . I am canadian, he is an indian citizen. I met him before I immigrated to canada about 5 yrs ago, I became a citizen 1 yr back..we were in a relationship from before I came to canada.
Now, I want to sponsor him.
The problem is that I am a university student and I am on OSAP. I have no income whatsoever...I live with my parents. We did not tell our parents about the marriage because they were against it.
We registered the marriage acc to international standards and..I have tons of pictures -- of the wedding and other pics of us being together..
Now, am I eligible to sponsor him? He is 26yrs old and has been working since the past 5 years(we have proofs of his employment). I have worked in call centres on and off in the past 5 years...however, last year I have NOT WORKED AT ALL..I will be done with my degree in about a 1.5yr

My questions are:

1. While I was filling the sponsorship form, a section asks to describe how we met and whether frineds and family know about the marriage...how should I go about filling that? If I jot down the truth that nobdy knows about the marriage except a few close friends..will they think that this is just a fake marriage for sponsoring him? Should I say that friends are aware of the marriage and explain the family situation as well..or lie that everyone knows about the marriage?Will this info be verified -- will they contact my parents etc? or his parents?


2. IF he shows a good amount of money in his bank accounts..will that help? we will attach his bank statements to show that he is self-sufficient to support himself here? I can show my last-to-last year's income...but for last year,my income was 0. Also, what if he is not able to show a lot of money in his bank account...will they deny the sponsorship? Please provide some advice about the best way to handle the situation.

3. After coming here, he is also planning on going to college here in Ontario, he has applied to a few colleges and has been accepted as an international student...should we mention that in the application? or drop the entire college scene for now..because if he immigrates here as a permanent resident, he would like to reapply as one and not as an international student
(to avoid paying the high tuition fees)

Also, we couldn't do any functions/ceremonies after the wedding..because no family was involved...would that make a difference?
we have pictures of our honeymoon/phone records etc...
Please help!

Thanks.

 

[bobshynoswife]

As long as you are not on social assistance you can sponsor your husband, even without a job. Do you receive student loans/grants? Those don't count. In the sponsor application it asks about your finances. Write a letter explaining your situation, and also include your plans for when your husband gets here and a bank statement from him.

TELL THE TRUTH!! Explain that your family does not know about your marriage and why.

Not sure about the college part, but if he's in India his application will probably be processed fairly quickly and then he can apply as a Candian citizen and not have to pay the outrageous foreign student fees.

 

[plumosa]

is there going to be an issue because of non-disclosure of the relationship when you yourself applied for PR? I believe you're going to have to prove that although you were in a relationship, that you weren't in a common-law/conjugal type arrangement with shared living space and meshed finances. The IO could say that you were trying to hide the relationship so that you could immigrate first and then bring him along afterwards.


Can someone else make sure what I said is correct? I'm only saying this from what I've gleaned off this forum, I don't have any first hand experience with this!

 

[sourblush]

is there going to be an issue because of non-disclosure of the relationship when you yourself applied for PR? I believe you're going to have to prove that although you were in a relationship, that you weren't in a common-law/conjugal type arrangement with shared living space and meshed finances. The IO could say that you were trying to hide the relationship so that you could immigrate first and then bring him along afterwards.


Can someone else make sure what I said is correct? I'm only saying this from what I've gleaned off this forum, I don't have any first hand experience with this!

I was 17 at the time, I was a minor. I was in a relationship-- not in a common law relationship though -- i was not living with him... I didnt know where the relationship was going...we kept in touch all these years and our bond became stronger, I got immigration because of my mom who immigrated and I got immigration because of her, as her child (as I was under 18)..
where does the "hiding of the relationship" part come into play for a 17 year old teenagr? I am now married to him..I have phone records of at least the past 2 years/visits to india tickets/pictures of being together/also the pictures of the day of the wedding...etc.

 

[sourblush]

As long as you are not on social assistance you can sponsor your husband, even without a job. Do you receive student loans/grants? Those don't count. In the sponsor application it asks about your finances. Write a letter explaining your situation, and also include your plans for when your husband gets here and a bank statement from him.

TELL THE TRUTH!! Explain that your family does not know about your marriage and why.

Not sure about the college part, but if he's in India his application will probably be processed fairly quickly and then he can apply as a Candian citizen and not have to pay the outrageous foreign student fees.

Thanks, I think you are right...but I would still like some more feedback before I proceed.. I dont want to mess this up for no reason..

 

[plumosa]

I was 17 at the time, I was a minor. I was in a relationship-- not in a common law relationship though -- i was not living with him... I didnt know where the relationship was going...we kept in touch all these years and our bond became stronger, I got immigration because of my mom who immigrated and I got immigration because of her, as her child (as I was under 18)..
where does the "hiding of the relationship" part come into play for a 17 year old teenagr? I am now married to him..I have phone records of at least the past 2 years/visits to india tickets/pictures of being together/also the pictures of the day of the wedding...etc.

Logic is not necessarily a skill-set for Immigration Officers

you can definitely still sponsor, but be very clear about why you didn't put him on your PR application. (just say what you've said here)

read this to see an example of what I was talking about (and later on someone that was able to successfully be a sponsor!)

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/sponsorship-refused-by-cpcm-please-help-t30098.0.html


good luck!

 

[canadianwoman]

1. While I was filling the sponsorship form, a section asks to describe how we met and whether frineds and family know about the marriage...how should I go about filling that? If I jot down the truth that nobdy knows about the marriage except a few close friends..will they think that this is just a fake marriage for sponsoring him? Should I say that friends are aware of the marriage and explain the family situation as well..or lie that everyone knows about the marriage?Will this info be verified -- will they contact my parents etc? or his parents?

Don't lie about it. They might contact your parents. More likely they will notice your parents and other relatives are missing from the wedding photos. For any marriage, they want to see that friends and family know about it and approve. Now, if they don't, you can still get accepted, but you will have to explain the situation.
Typically the visa officers in India see arranged marriages where both families are fully involved and there is a huge, elaborate wedding ceremony. Anything that deviates from this is suspect. So you will have to explain that it wasn't an arranged marriage, that you two met and fell in love, and married in secret because your parents don't approve.

2. IF he shows a good amount of money in his bank accounts..will that help? we will attach his bank statements to show that he is self-sufficient to support himself here? I can show my last-to-last year's income...but for last year,my income was 0. Also, what if he is not able to show a lot of money in his bank account...will they deny the sponsorship? Please provide some advice about the best way to handle the situation.

You don't need a job or an income to sponsor your spouse, but they help. In your case in particular, the visa officer is going to wonder how you will support yourselves, since you are going to school and are living with your parents. In this kind of situation, parents often write a letter saying they will support the couple until they get jobs, and let them live in their house, but since your parents don't know about your marriage this isn't going to happen. So provide proof of your job and income from last year, and proof of your husband's job, income, and bank account.

Also, we couldn't do any functions/ceremonies after the wedding..because no family was involved...would that make a difference?
we have pictures of our honeymoon/phone records etc...

They won't like it, but just explain your situation clearly. You will need a lot of proof of a genuine relationship, so include the honeymoon photos and all phone records, and any other proof of contact you have - such as evidence of your trips back to India to see him.
I think you won't have a problem about not having declared him. You were just 17 when you left - the visa officer will most likely see it as a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship, not a conjugal relationship.

 

[sourblush]

Don't lie about it. They might contact your parents. More likely they will notice your parents and other relatives are missing from the wedding photos. For any marriage, they want to see that friends and family know about it and approve. Now, if they don't, you can still get accepted, but you will have to explain the situation.
Typically the visa officers in India see arranged marriages where both families are fully involved and there is a huge, elaborate wedding ceremony. Anything that deviates from this is suspect. So you will have to explain that it wasn't an arranged marriage, that you two met and fell in love, and married in secret because your parents don't approve. You don't need a job or an income to sponsor your spouse, but they help. In your case in particular, the visa officer is going to wonder how you will support yourselves, since you are going to school and are living with your parents. In this kind of situation, parents often write a letter saying they will support the couple until they get jobs, and let them live in their house, but since your parents don't know about your marriage this isn't going to happen. So provide proof of your job and income from last year, and proof of your husband's job, income, and bank account.They won't like it, but just explain your situation clearly. You will need a lot of proof of a genuine relationship, so include the honeymoon photos and all phone records, and any other proof of contact you have - such as evidence of your trips back to India to see him.
I think you won't have a problem about not having declared him. You were just 17 when you left - the visa officer will most likely see it as a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship, not a conjugal relationship.

Thanks a lot for the elaborate reply..
another thing, should we mention about his intentions of going to school or..should he wait a while and work in canada first...
what would be a better thing to do?

 

[canadianwoman]

If I were you I would work out a plan for what the two of you will do when he gets here. If he still wants to go to school, fine, or if he decides to work for a year first, fine, but you should try to decide what you will actually be doing and talk about these plans in the application. Plans for your future together are one of the things the visa officer wants to see to show that your relationship is genuine.

 

[sourblush]

If I were you I would work out a plan for what the two of you will do when he gets here. If he still wants to go to school, fine, or if he decides to work for a year first, fine, but you should try to decide what you will actually be doing and talk about these plans in the application. Plans for your future together are one of the things the visa officer wants to see to show that your relationship is genuine.

thanks a lot.. I think..we will work around him working for a year or so and then think about going to school...
since i am in school right now..you think we should mention us staying together? because...i cannot tell my family until he has a job...
i dont think i will move in with him for the next 2 yrs..but if i say this on the application...they will say that theres no purpose of him comin here as we will stay separate anyway? am i thinking correctly?

also, how much money should he show?..he doesnt have a lot right now...if he is able to show about 2-3lakh Indian Rupees = $5000-$6500 or so in his bank account..is that enough?
or does he have to show more..
??

we will try to arrange some more money from some trusted friends etc (but we dont know yet if we can arrange a lot)..
if we can arrange upto $18000 or more.. the money wll be in his account just this month..a couple days before we apply..
will they ask about where so much of money came from?? can we say that it was loaned to some people and he just got it back now in the account? will that work..?
shoudl the money be in his account for a while before we apply? hw long shouldve the money been in the acc for?

 

[canadianwoman]

thanks a lot.. I think..we will work around him working for a year or so and then think about going to school...
since i am in school right now..you think we should mention us staying together? because...i cannot tell my family until he has a job...
i dont think i will move in with him for the next 2 yrs..but if i say this on the application...they will say that theres no purpose of him comin here as we will stay separate anyway? am i thinking correctly?

If you say on the application that you and he won't be living together in Canada, I'm afraid they will think it is just a marriage designed for him to come to Canada, and will refuse his application. Especially if your parents still don't know. Your parents don't have to approve, or even know, about the marriage, but in that case the visa officer will expect you to move out of your parents' home to live with your husband.

also, how much money should he show?..he doesnt have a lot right now...if he is able to show about 2-3lakh Indian Rupees = $5000-$6500 or so in his bank account..is that enough?
or does he have to show more..
we will try to arrange some more money from some trusted friends etc (but we dont know yet if we can arrange a lot)..
if we can arrange upto $18000 or more.. the money wll be in his account just this month..a couple days before we apply..
will they ask about where so much of money came from?? can we say that it was loaned to some people and he just got it back now in the account? will that work..?
shoudl the money be in his account for a while before we apply? hw long shouldve the money been in the acc for?

He doesn't actually need any money to be approved, but since you are still a student and don't have your own place or any money, it is better if he can show some. He will have to explain you and he will be using it for living expenses while he looks for a job. Don't lie about where the money came from. Most likely they won't ask. What they may ask is what he will be doing with the money - supporting you and himself as you start your life together in Canada is the right answer.

 

[sourblush]

If you say on the application that you and he won't be living together in Canada, I'm afraid they will think it is just a marriage designed for him to come to Canada, and will refuse his application. Especially if your parents still don't know. Your parents don't have to approve, or even know, about the marriage, but in that case the visa officer will expect you to move out of your parents' home to live with your husband. He doesn't actually need any money to be approved, but since you are still a student and don't have your own place or any money, it is better if he can show some. He will have to explain you and he will be using it for living expenses while he looks for a job. Don't lie about where the money came from. Most likely they won't ask. What they may ask is what he will be doing with the money - supporting you and himself as you start your life together in Canada is the right answer.

okay, i see..i get the exact point now..
thanks a lot!!!!
much appreciated!
after the application is submitted here in canada...it takes about 6 weeks for it to process in canada and then it is processed in India by CIC...what I want t know is that on this forum, ive read quite a bit about some kind of 'interview'? What is this interview all about and when does this happen? Is it only in cases of an appeal or is it the normal procedure?
where does it happen? in india or canada, and do we both have to be present or can we both be on the phone or what??

thanks!

 

[sourblush]

If you say on the application that you and he won't be living together in Canada, I'm afraid they will think it is just a marriage designed for him to come to Canada, and will refuse his application. Especially if your parents still don't know. Your parents don't have to approve, or even know, about the marriage, but in that case the visa officer will expect you to move out of your parents' home to live with your husband. He doesn't actually need any money to be approved, but since you are still a student and don't have your own place or any money, it is better if he can show some. He will have to explain you and he will be using it for living expenses while he looks for a job. Don't lie about where the money came from. Most likely they won't ask. What they may ask is what he will be doing with the money - supporting you and himself as you start your life together in Canada is the right answer.

I have a couple more questions: 1. how do u rate anyone on this forum?

2. I have been living with parents but heres the scenario:
Some bills of the house -- utilities and a portion of the rent is officially split up b/w me and my parents. My parents did that to make a good credit rating for me(to them..I do pay rent sometimes when I can afford to -- once in 3/4months or so..)but usually, my mom pays those utilities' bills and rent share in my name..
also, while applying for the Government Student Loan(OSAP)..I always mention that I stay off-campus (not with parents) as I have bills in my name..that is why I get approved for the loan easily.
So, technically...can I say that I am not living with parents? or not?
will that make a difference to the application? I cannot get anything from my landlord saying that my hubby can stay here with me or something... when he comes here..
what I can say though is that..I am renting a small room but I will move out once my husband is here and we can look for a place together...
Also, I earned $2000 on WORK STUDY (work given out by univ to students demonstrating financial need ) -- but this is also a government plan...so that doesn't count either???? or does it?

 

[canadianwoman]

what I want t know is that on this forum, ive read quite a bit about some kind of 'interview'? What is this interview all about and when does this happen? Is it only in cases of an appeal or is it the normal procedure?
where does it happen? in india or canada, and do we both have to be present or can we both be on the phone or what??

Quite often the visa officer that is processing the application will want to interview the applicant. In your husband's case, the interview will be in India. You don't have to be there. If the visa officer also wants to talk to you, he/she can phone you. Some people do go with their spouse to the interview - it shows support, and also proves at least one visit to see the spouse - but you don't need to go, and in my opinion shouldn't go. With both of you there, it doubles the chances that something wrong will be said.
Usually the interview is to determine whether the marriage is genuine or not.

 

[canadianwoman]

1. how do u rate anyone on this forum?

On the left, where your screen name is, it looks like this:
sourblush
newbie
a star
Posts: 7
Ratings: +0/-0
good poor (in brackets)

You just click on the 'good' or 'poor' to give someone a rating.
However, I think newbies maybe don't have the good/poor, and so can't rate anyone until they have posted more.

2. I have been living with parents but heres the scenario:
Some bills of the house -- utilities and a portion of the rent is officially split up b/w me and my parents. My parents did that to make a good credit rating for me(to them..I do pay rent sometimes when I can afford to -- once in 3/4months or so..)but usually, my mom pays those utilities' bills and rent share in my name..
also, while applying for the Government Student Loan(OSAP)..I always mention that I stay off-campus (not with parents) as I have bills in my name..that is why I get approved for the loan easily.
So, technically...can I say that I am not living with parents? or not?
will that make a difference to the application? I cannot get anything from my landlord saying that my hubby can stay here with me or something... when he comes here..
what I can say though is that..I am renting a small room but I will move out once my husband is here and we can look for a place together...
Also, I earned $2000 on WORK STUDY (work given out by univ to students demonstrating financial need ) -- but this is also a government plan...so that doesn't count either???? or does it?

Work/study pay counts as pay.
For your application the government will most likely check your address, and so will find out that you are living with your parents. There are several questions on a number of forms where you have to state where you live and who you live with. You also have to give your parents' address. I don't think you will be able to hide that you are living with your parents, and in any case it is not necessary. You can state on the application that you are living with your parents now, but that when your husband moves to Canada, you and he will find a place of your own. The visa officer will probably not question this, since it is perfectly normal for a young couple.





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