moeytja said:
Also, you are from Italy, it's not considered a developing country or with safety issues, which I think they do account for.
we were considering getting a lawyer too, but I was told by some immigration consultants from the government that everything is online, nothing hidden about it, so they told me it was not worth the money. But i was so concerned that i wanted one anyway, but we didn't get it, too expensive, and we put all the info ourselves after a lot of research.
I would really like to ask you the stuff your lawyer told you, if you would be willing to share it. If so, it'd be so useful and would really appreciate it. feel free to email me, as my email address is public.
Hi Moeytja,
I researched a lot about this inland PR application and I was confused. I knew all the details but still we travelled and worked in different countries where we had only a few proofs of cohabitation (we never signed a lease contract while abroad), my wife just returned to Canada less than a year ago and she didn't declare taxes because she was abroad. So we were confused about what to declare in the form. Also she has student loan that we didn't know if it was going to affect our application.
For peace of mind we decided to go to the immigration consultant.
What he said to us was (it's all in the form I guess but I list because those are strong points for immigration officer). It's mainly a list of positives/negatives:
*Declare if you had any previous common-law and/or were married before. He made a point of not lying about this even if it could "hurt" the other person.
*It's positive that we lived together for at least one year.
*Not so positive that we stayed apart for 3 months, and we needed evidence/explanation that our relationship was continuing.
*Not so positive that my wife is older than me, 5 years are not a lot, but it also depends on other things (duration of relationship,evidence of trips together, meeting relatives and friends, supporting letters etc..), so this could be considered "neutral".
*Positive that we are living together and both our names are on the lease agreement.
*Negative that we don't have a joint bank account together. But we provided evidence that we tried (I don't have a SIN number so I can't open a bank account nor she can add my name to hers), so it should be ok.
*Positive that she changed her surname with mine with documentation ( Alberta drivers licence in our case)
*Positive that we both have a will mentioning each other in case bad things will happen.
*Positive that I met her parents and she met mine, with evidences/photos provided.
*Negative that our marriage was not attended by both our families. We explained that we didn't want to make anyone unhappy (my family could not have attended and her parents live in USA), so I guess was ok.
*Positive that the marriage was a really simple ceremony but not kept secret but announced with cards and "celebrated" at a restaurant with our friends, our niece and my wife's brother.
*Positive that the circumstances of our meeting, the trips/travel we've done together, and our "story" was supported by letters (and photos) from our friends, employers, relatives.
*In question 12 of the spouse/common-law questionnaire is important to make a point about the future plans with your husband/wife in the country. We said we would like to stay in Calgary and buy a house once we have two incomes and then starting a family.
For sure there is more, but this what was on top of my mind now
If you have any other question ask me, I am happy to help
J.
