My sister-in-law is in trouble

[bagwell506]

Hello everybody,

I hate to have to post a question like this, but here goes... My sister-in-law is Indonesian and married a Canadian citizen two years ago in Indonesia. They lived there until three months ago, and then moved with her Canadian husband to Halifax. She entered Canada on a visitors visa, and I assume he sponsored her. Her visa expires in April. Now, they are breaking up, and she is staying with a friend. She has no money, and no way to go home. What is the obligation of the sponsor (husband), and how can the government help. Is there any quick (police, Immigration office) to force the husband to provide a plane ticket for her to go home or other support? Also, could she request deportation if she has no money? where can she get help for food, and housing?

Many Thanks

 

[on-hold]

She should contact the local woman's shelter -- they will be able to give her advice on subjects like:

- does her husband have the right to force them out of their home
- should she file for divorce here or in Indonesia
- if she files here, will a Canadian court enforce settlement terms if she is back in Indonesia

etc. etc. Basically, she needs someone to guard her rights, and I'm sure that the government will support her in accessing legal advice. This is more important than getting home right away.

 

[Ponga]

Hi,

I'm sorry to hear about your sister-in-law's situation.

She would know if her husband had sponsored her or not, because she would have been part of his application.

Since you say that she entered Canada in Oct of last year (approximately) on a visitors visa, it doesn't sound like she had been sponsored by her husband, but...who knows.

IF she had been sponsored by her husband, he would be financially responsible for her for 3 years (from the date that she had her PR status), provided that her PR was not conditional (for a marriage of 2 years or less) but again...that doesn't `appear' to be the case here.

Wishing her all the best in this difficult time.

 

[zardoz]

I agree. This isn't an immigration or PR issue. It's a family law issue. Under immigration law, I don't think that there is any support obligation in operation here.

 

[scylla]

Tough situation. But agreed. This isn't an immigration issue and there are no immigration support requirements here. This is a family law issue.