Just a few concerns about genuine/legitimate relationships.

[kelliS007]

My SO lives in Ireland, we have had a completely internet based relationship thus far but he has a flight booked in March. We are planning to get married when he is here. The only thing I am worried about now that I read through some of these posts is the proof of a legitimate relationship and if it is genuine.

We don't speak on the phone as there are devices like Skype and texting apps. We have sent letters back and forth and I have a gifts. Again, we have never met. Is it worth starting an application after we get married or should we wait? When we first started talking about getting married and being together, I wanted to live in Ireland, but we had to factor in my son and his relationship with his dad. And so we thought him coming here would be the better option.

He is a skilled trade journeyman. I'm just not sure that immigration will take a mostly internet relationship as a legitimate/genuine relationship.

Thoughts?

 

[goodman36]

If your relationship is genuine, then the application will be approved sooner or later.

After you get married, you can file sponsorship application. Since your future spouse is from Ireland, most likely the visa office will be in London. You have to send in all the forms along with supporting documents in the appropriate application receiving centre (Mississauga if you are in Ontario for example).

Gather all the communication proof as you can. Since you are not married yet, you have the opportunity of take plenty of pictures before, during and after the marriage and send them.

Good Luck.

 

[amikety]

Don't get married on your first visit.

8 months is very short.

You need to invest more time in this relationship before taking the plunge.

I say that not just from an immigrant perspective, but personal as well. The economy in Ireland is awful right now. Canada is a dreamland in comparison. You will be on the hook for this man for 3 years after he lands, whether or not you're still living together/married.

Invest more time.

The internet part is okay.... but you need more face time. You need to take vacations together, meet each other at least a few times before getting married. Not using the phone is okay too. I didn't even include any phone records (we had a few) with my application.

I know it's hard being apart and you're anxious to see him. He's visa exempt, so suggest he come to visit and see if he can find work. He's allowed to job search while a visitor (but not work until he gets a work permit). Depending on where you live, he might be able to find a trade job. Then you can live together for a while, then get married. Living together shows CIC a better commitment. You don't have to get married and sponsor him right away. There are other options - not to say they will pan out, but they do exist.

I'm not trying to knock you down, but you need to be realistic about this. 8 months and getting married right away isn't the best way to go about it. It may work in the long run, but it's still not the best way to go about it.

 

[sariss]

I can only speak from my personal experience.
My husband and I met twice before we got married. He visited for a week in 2009, then three weeks in 2010. He came here May 2011 and stayed until November 2011 - we got married in August 2011. He then came back in May 2012 and has been here since.
During his second visit here we got a joint bank account to help out.
We waited almost a year after getting married to apply. I wanted to make sure we had more proof in the sense of living together with a joint lease, joint bills, etc etc.

I have heard of people having no issues in your situation, and others having issues. Being a pessimist, I wanted to be as careful as I could. His application took 7 months to process from sending out to him landing.

 

[Rob_TO]

If your relationship is genuine, then the application will be approved sooner or later.

The countless people who share their stories of genuine relationship applications being rejected, would say otherwise. While it's nice to be all romantic and say true love will prevail and ensure your application is approved, that advice is just plain wrong. If there are too many red flags, it could very well be rejected no matter how real the relationship is, and you could end up waiting years and spending lots of money in lawyer fees to get your appeal date in court.

It makes more sense to put in a bit more time of being together in person to make the relationship appear more "normal", and waiting to submit the application so at least it gets approved on the first try.

 

[kelliS007]

I know it's hard being apart and you're anxious to see him. He's visa exempt, so suggest he come to visit and see if he can find work. He's allowed to job search while a visitor (but not work until he gets a work permit). Depending on where you live, he might be able to find a trade job. Then you can live together for a while, then get married. Living together shows CIC a better commitment. You don't have to get married and sponsor him right away. There are other options - not to say they will pan out, but they do exist.

I'm not sure I understand. When he visits, have him look for work and then apply for a work permit? And when he gets it have him live here? I think this is what you mean, but I just want to be sure.

 

[gsize]

In my case....Application filed April 2009. Application was denied. (not genuine)...had to appeal. (WE WON).....still fighting with them.....4 years later, over $30,000.00 (gifts, travel, medication, Naturopath) Off to Costa Rica.....hey, whats another $2.000.00 !

I had all my ducks in order as I hired Imm consultants.

I guess the VO who denied us knew more than we did !


SHAME !! 8)

 

[amikety]

I'm not sure I understand. When he visits, have him look for work and then apply for a work permit? And when he gets it have him live here? I think this is what you mean, but I just want to be sure.

Yeah, you basically summed it up. He is allowed to look for work as a visitor. First, figured out if it's fesible where you live. Not all areas hire tradesmen equally. Then, determine if he needs a Red Seal to work in Canada. I wouldn't tell him to quit his job and just come to Canada without knowing if it's possible for him to work or not.

In my case, we realized the chances of me finding work were slim (like 0%) but we decided my husband made enough money anyway, so I came here as a visitor and 'live' here, although I'm technically still visiting.

I would look at your provinces immigration, see what types of program you have, and take a look at Kijiji as well. If your area is hiring trades, there might be adds for it. I live in Alberta and several times a month, I see adds for foreign workers in trades. (Just because you don't see one right now, doesn't mean they aren't there. It doesn't hurt to check a few times over a month.)

However, view is as an option, but don't make it your plan yet.

 

[amikety]

In my case....Application filed April 2009. Application was denied. (not genuine)...had to appeal. (WE WON).....still fighting with them.....4 years later, over $30,000.00 (gifts, travel, medication, Naturopath) Off to Costa Rica.....hey, whats another $2.000.00 !

I had all my ducks in order as I hired Imm consultants.

I guess the VO who denied us knew more than we did !


SHAME !! 8)

I was thinking about you when I read PP's comments. *hugs*

 

[gsize]

I was thinking about you when I read PP's comments. *hugs*

thanks so much for your kind words. I have bad and worse days with the occassional good day. Today is not good, as I wipe tears from my face !

I try to maintain my sense of humour. They took so much from me....I have little strength left but I know in my heart, we will be together eventually.

They will never take my sense of humour from me ! 8)

 

[dayver1331]

In my case....Application filed April 2009. Application was denied. (not genuine)...had to appeal. (WE WON).....still fighting with them.....4 years later, over $30,000.00 (gifts, travel, medication, Naturopath) Off to Costa Rica.....hey, whats another $2.000.00 !

I had all my ducks in order as I hired Imm consultants.

I guess the VO who denied us knew more than we did !


SHAME !! 8)

Can I ask what made them think your relationship not to be genuine?

 

[gsize]

Can I ask what made them think your relationship not to be genuine?

some VO's are very fair and some are plain nasty. They do as they please with little accountability. They told my partner.....you are not coming to Canada for your partner....you are only coming for opprtunity in Canada.

Dont worry, the vast majority are approved. From what I can see.....I think its about 20 % that are denied. The big issue that I have......waiting 28 months to get a Hearing in Toronto. This is not acceptable !!!!!!!!!!!!!

I used to hear about some files f'falling behind the cabinet at CIC" Little did I know I would be one of them !

Life is a journey !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[kelliS007]

Yeah, you basically summed it up. He is allowed to look for work as a visitor. First, figured out if it's fesible where you live. Not all areas hire tradesmen equally. Then, determine if he needs a Red Seal to work in Canada. I wouldn't tell him to quit his job and just come to Canada without knowing if it's possible for him to work or not.

In my case, we realized the chances of me finding work were slim (like 0%) but we decided my husband made enough money anyway, so I came here as a visitor and 'live' here, although I'm technically still visiting.

I would look at your provinces immigration, see what types of program you have, and take a look at Kijiji as well. If your area is hiring trades, there might be adds for it. I live in Alberta and several times a month, I see adds for foreign workers in trades. (Just because you don't see one right now, doesn't mean they aren't there. It doesn't hurt to check a few times over a month.)

However, view is as an option, but don't make it your plan yet.

I live in BC, and he has been applying for trade jobs (Electrician) for two months. I guess dropping resumes off in person would help. He has been to some trade expos who have offered him the sun and the moon. We paid 600 euros to a company that has now just dodged him. We wanted him to come here on a work visa but that doesn't seem to be working. I told him to apply at some places in Alberta.


I appreciate everyone's thoughts on this. We are talking about it as I post and you awesome people reply. We still want to get married, but we are going to try it your way amikety, look for work, visit each other more than once before applying for this visa. I've been going to school so spending money and missing school to see him was not an option and his vacation time is coming up in March (hence his flight). But! I graduate in 5 days, and can start saving up to visit him.

 

[scylla]

I appreciate everyone's thoughts on this. We are talking about it as I post and you awesome people reply. We still want to get married, but we are going to try it your way amikety, look for work, visit each other more than once before applying for this visa. I've been going to school so spending money and missing school to see him was not an option and his vacation time is coming up in March (hence his flight). But! I graduate in 5 days, and can start saving up to visit him.

I agree with everyone else. Marrying someone the first time you meet them in person tends to be a red flag for immigration. I would avoid this if at all possible.

 

[MadeInCanada]

In regards to marrying the first time meeting....

How would it appear if the time was longer? I met my husband in person in March, stayed there, then we married in November. (We knew each other for over a year before thus point)I continued to live with him untill the following March.

Now I am getting paranoind....