Love or Opportunity? Coffee Social

[Nevaeha]

I've been reading this long enough, might as well say hello.

Current time logged in: 10 days, 4 hours, 26 minutes. And the sad part is, I haven't sent in our application yet! (Nor will we be able to until next year. Argh!)

Welcome MilesAway!

Just think, you will have a thorough application by the time you send it in thanks to the wealth of knowledge on the forum! Please feel free to share your story with us if you'd like!

And if it makes you feel any better: you can search for the thread where people shared how much time they have spent on the forum!

 

[MilesAway]

Thanks!

I looked over all the forms last summer, although I imagined they've changed since then. I won't read them again until it's time to actually apply.

It's been a frustrating time, to say the least. My story is a bit complicated. I met my partner when I came to Russia to study Russian, back in September 2009. I stayed in Russia until June 2010, then my visa and money ran out, so I had to go back to Canada. I stayed there until August 2011. She tried to come visit me, but was refused twice. She managed to get the money from the plane tickets back (the consulate said she had to show proof of airline tickets, so she bought, then they refused her. Nice.) which she used to fly me there for 5 days. I found a job while I was there, and moved back in August 2011. She moved in with me in July 2012. Her divorce became final in September 2012 (that part complicates things, I know.)
She's been refused a TRV to Canada 4 times, and to the US once. We can't be common-law because she moved in mid-July 2012, but I was working at a summer camp at the time, only home on week-ends, so that doesn't count as living together (according to CIC, based on what I've read). So officially we can only start the clock at the end of August 2012. Unfortunately, I have to go back to Canada to renew my passport, because the staff at the embassy in Moscow are idiots. It took me 6 months and about 25 phone calls for them to finally respond and say: we can't help you. So I need to go back to Canada for 5 weeks, enough time (I hope!) to get my new passport and start the Russian visa stuff again. Those 5 weeks effectively reset the common-law clock, even though it's the Canadian embassy that told me to go back. Sigh.

Add in the lovely anti-gay laws here, and the fact that someone tried to kill my partner back in March, and I'm itching to get out of here. Sigh.

So that's my story. Not all of it, but the important parts.

 

[Nevaeha]

Thanks!

I looked over all the forms last summer, although I imagined they've changed since then. I won't read them again until it's time to actually apply.

It's been a frustrating time, to say the least. My story is a bit complicated. I met my partner when I came to Russia to study Russian, back in September 2009. I stayed in Russia until June 2010, then my visa and money ran out, so I had to go back to Canada. I stayed there until August 2011. She tried to come visit me, but was refused twice. She managed to get the money from the plane tickets back (the consulate said she had to show proof of airline tickets, so she bought, then they refused her. Nice.) which she used to fly me there for 5 days. I found a job while I was there, and moved back in August 2011. She moved in with me in July 2012. Her divorce became final in September 2012 (that part complicates things, I know.)
She's been refused a TRV to Canada 4 times, and to the US once. We can't be common-law because she moved in mid-July 2012, but I was working at a summer camp at the time, only home on week-ends, so that doesn't count as living together (according to CIC, based on what I've read). So officially we can only start the clock at the end of August 2012. Unfortunately, I have to go back to Canada to renew my passport, because the staff at the embassy in Moscow are idiots. It took me 6 months and about 25 phone calls for them to finally respond and say: we can't help you. So I need to go back to Canada for 5 weeks, enough time (I hope!) to get my new passport and start the Russian visa stuff again. Those 5 weeks effectively reset the common-law clock, even though it's the Canadian embassy that told me to go back. Sigh.

Add in the lovely anti-gay laws here, and the fact that someone tried to kill my partner back in March, and I'm itching to get out of here. Sigh.

So that's my story. Not all of it, but the important parts.

Thank you for sharing your story with us and I'm sorry to hear what happened to your girlfriend! Have you looked into refugee/humanitarian sponsorship? I don't know a lot about it but if your girlfriend's life is in harm it is worth looking into.

 

[MilesAway]

We don't have any proof of it, and it wasn't a hate crime, just someone off his meds who was mad at the world, unfortunately my fiancee happened to be around when he decided to take it out on someone.
We didn't report it, because the police here aren't known for compassion towards gays. Gay men are regularly sodomized by the police, so I can't imagine that going there and filing a report that someone tried to kill my fiancee for being a lesbian would go over very well. That might also raise red flags against me, as I live with her. Under the new laws, anything considered propaganda (extremely vague) would get me put in jail for 15 days, then deported.

 

[computergeek]

We don't have any proof of it, and it wasn't a hate crime, just someone off his meds who was mad at the world, unfortunately my fiancee happened to be around when he decided to take it out on someone.
We didn't report it, because the police here aren't known for compassion towards gays. Gay men are regularly sodomized by the police, so I can't imagine that going there and filing a report that someone tried to kill my fiancee for being a lesbian would go over very well. That might also raise red flags against me, as I live with her. Under the new laws, anything considered propaganda (extremely vague) would get me put in jail for 15 days, then deported.

I would disagree with the five weeks resetting the clock on your common-law status, as the trip is temporary in nature and only represents you living away from your ordinary domicile on a known temporary basis.

So were I in your shoes I'd proceed with an application sooner rather than later. Further, I'd argue that if the visa officer refuses to consider you as being in a common-law relationship, they should consider you being in a conjugal relationship. Conjugal relationships are tough to prove but what you've listed here is exactly the types of impediments that should be convincing - these are circumstances beyond your control, you have tried to live together in Canada but been refused, your own status in Russia is tenuous at best. While the anti-LGBT legislation in Russia is deeply troubling, for your application is presents strong evidence that there are serious impediments to your relationship.

Alternatively, you might consider applying with the Moscow office for a "temporary resident permit". Because they have determined she is previously inadmissible the purpose of the TRP would be to "overcome" that inadmissibility. You'd be arguing H&C grounds: staying in Russia now endangers your lives and while you have struggled to meet the common-law requirement you may never be able to do so. As a matter of interests for you (the Canadian) she should be granted a TRP on H&C grounds. They might refuse it again, but then it just becomes even more fodder for you to argue that you have exactly the types of impediments necessary for a conjugal application.

There is a $200 fee for consideration of a TRP and processing times are quite long. I'd also contact your MP back in Canada and see if their office is willing to intercede on your behalf.

 

[Canuck20]

Thanks!

I looked over all the forms last summer, although I imagined they've changed since then. I won't read them again until it's time to actually apply.

It's been a frustrating time, to say the least. My story is a bit complicated. I met my partner when I came to Russia to study Russian, back in September 2009. I stayed in Russia until June 2010, then my visa and money ran out, so I had to go back to Canada. I stayed there until August 2011. She tried to come visit me, but was refused twice. She managed to get the money from the plane tickets back (the consulate said she had to show proof of airline tickets, so she bought, then they refused her. Nice.) which she used to fly me there for 5 days. I found a job while I was there, and moved back in August 2011. She moved in with me in July 2012. Her divorce became final in September 2012 (that part complicates things, I know.)
She's been refused a TRV to Canada 4 times, and to the US once. We can't be common-law because she moved in mid-July 2012, but I was working at a summer camp at the time, only home on week-ends, so that doesn't count as living together (according to CIC, based on what I've read). So officially we can only start the clock at the end of August 2012. Unfortunately, I have to go back to Canada to renew my passport, because the staff at the embassy in Moscow are idiots. It took me 6 months and about 25 phone calls for them to finally respond and say: we can't help you. So I need to go back to Canada for 5 weeks, enough time (I hope!) to get my new passport and start the Russian visa stuff again. Those 5 weeks effectively reset the common-law clock, even though it's the Canadian embassy that told me to go back. Sigh.

Add in the lovely anti-gay laws here, and the fact that someone tried to kill my partner back in March, and I'm itching to get out of here. Sigh.

So that's my story. Not all of it, but the important parts.

Not sure what your financial situation is but I would highly recommend the following firm of Immigration Consultants.

http://immigrationservices.ca/

Our situation was a little bit like yours except that my spouse is a US citizen. This firm was excellent and guided us through the entire process which took almost a year. They specialize in same sex couples and are great.

I hope things work out for you

 

[MilesAway]

I appreciate the advice. We've potentially planned a wedding for May in Iceland, but we're having a hard time getting the documents that she needs, namely the certificate of no-impediment. Russia doesn't give them, and I'm not certain they will give one to let her go marry her same-sex fiancee.

Financially, it's a bit tight. Russia doesn't have the highest salaries (unless you are a government employee or a Gazprom employee). My fiancee makes the equivalent of less than half minimum wage in Canada. I am just over minimum wage. I might contact the firm once the application is put together, and ask them to review it for us, see if there are any problems we should take care of.

 

[MilesAway]

How many of you have learnt your spouse's language (if it is not English, and not the same as your mother tongue)? We speak English at home here, but I've been thinking that when (if?) we get to Canada, we should speak Russian at home. I figure we should speak English here, as it's practice for her, so she'll be able to find a job in Canada. She's also studying French, but that's been really slow-going. I'm working on my 4th language, although I don't think it will give me any particular help in the job world, it's more for my own interests.

 

[CanadianJeepGuy]

How many of you have learnt your spouse's language (if it is not English, and not the same as your mother tongue)? We speak English at home here, but I've been thinking that when (if?) we get to Canada, we should speak Russian at home. I figure we should speak English here, as it's practice for her, so she'll be able to find a job in Canada. She's also studying French, but that's been really slow-going. I'm working on my 4th language, although I don't think it will give me any particular help in the job world, it's more for my own interests.

My wife is Filipina so I am learning Tagalog.

 

[amikety]

How many of you have learnt your spouse's language (if it is not English, and not the same as your mother tongue)? We speak English at home here, but I've been thinking that when (if?) we get to Canada, we should speak Russian at home. I figure we should speak English here, as it's practice for her, so she'll be able to find a job in Canada. She's also studying French, but that's been really slow-going. I'm working on my 4th language, although I don't think it will give me any particular help in the job world, it's more for my own interests.

Just depends on your preferences. Both of my brothers married/will marry Asian women. One has learned a bit of Viet and can speak it vaguely (according to him). The other has no interest in learning Thai and his wife doesn't care.

One big thing to consider is if you plan to have kids. What languages do you want the kids speaking? They will learn English from TV, friends, and usually school too. If you'd like your children to learn Russian in the future, I would definitely consider speaking it at home at least half time.

I already know more French (and Spanish) than my Canadian husband, so I'm totally winning that battle

 

[lunas]

This so random but has anybody heard of Ms Malawi? I take it sir Amikety is ok since she's with here with us

 

[amikety]

This so random but has anybody heard of Ms Malawi? I take it sir Amikety is ok since she's with here with us

She texted me the other day. Her hubby is landing this week, so she's busy but also very, very excited!

 

[lunas]

She texted me the other day. Her hubby is landing this week, so she's busy but also very, very excited!

Landing??? Wow and she thought it would take forever!!! So happy for her!

 

[amikety]

Landing??? Wow and she thought it would take forever!!! So happy for her!

Yeah Pretoria is 26 months....... and they had an interview, but they passed, so the PPR was done at the interview (I think). I know a few people that were required interviews and got them very fast (all in Africa) and have their COPR/landed already.

 

[lunas]

Yeah Pretoria is 26 months....... and they had an interview, but they passed, so the PPR was done at the interview (I think). I know a few people that were required interviews and got them very fast (all in Africa) and have their COPR/landed already.

Woohoo. You are next!!