Port of Spain Office, Trinidad and Tobago

[MissDominica]

Good morning everyone!!

Just dropping by to say hi to everyone!

A couple of questions.
MissDominica... I think you said you filed as common law for your partner. How do you feel about filing common law? I am sure that you have LOTS of evidence to support your relationship, however people say the chances are better filing for a spouse. And I am using the term people very loosely. You are highly educated about it all, so I'm sure you've weighed your pros and cons. Just curious is all and I'm not meaning to cause any sort of doubt for you at all. Hope the question wasn't too forward.

Hi Behopeful! How's it going? You don't have to worry about asking me questions or being forward, I'm pretty hard to offend and your question was perfectly reasonable.

As for why we applied common-law... It's not because we don't want to marry or anything like that. We applied for a visitor visa for my partner to come to Canada to meet with my mom (he's already met and has an awesome relationship with my dad), my brothers, aunts, uncles, etc as they all know that we plan on being together forever and were very excited to meet him in person (they've talked on phone, skype, etc already). We were denied (as most spouse/common-law partners seem to be). And because we became common-law when I was living with him in his country, it would mean ALL of my family members would have to fly to Dominica to meet him. I am not religious (spiritual yes) so the whole being married before living together thing was not a big deal to me. We both agreed that family was REALLY important to us and that we are already as commited as any married couple - so we did not want to have a wedding in Dominica just because it would make the application simpler... I wanted my whole family at our wedding and since hubby only wants to invite a few family members to the wedding, we decided if we ever do decide to marry, we would do it in Canada and then maybe have a little reception/ceremony in Dominica afterwards to include his family/friends. Basically, we didn't want to marry and miss out on the experience of having time to plan a wedding with family and everything just so it would look better to CIC... And we're both students, so flying my entire family across the world wasn't feasible.

I'm not sure we feel like we ever HAVE to marry.. if we do it will be just to show our love to the people who are important to us... To us, we know we're committed and as "marriage-like" as any married couple.. so we didn't feel the need to prove that to anyone else.

I think it's safe to say that more common-law couples are rejected than married couples. I don't necessarily think it's simply because CIC likes married couples better, though. I think it's because a lot of common-law people have a hard time proving they have lived together for the FULL 12 months. For example, some people don't have leases in both names or are only applying with letters from friends to say they lived together and hoping CIC believes them, etc. So it makes PROVING the common-law harder than proving a marriage (just a marriage certificate). But I think once you can prove you lived together for a year+, then I think the criteria for genuine relationships is similar between married and common-law couples. Both have to prove that the relationship is real. Again, this might be harder for common-law because you don't automatically have the things in common that most married people have (wedding photos, etc) but the proof level should still be the same.

So yeah, I've heard the story that common-law is harder and people should just marry and make it easier for themselves.. but to me, that's exactly what CIC doesn't want (rushed marriages just to look better lol). I wasn't willing to give up having a big wedding (maybe) someday in the future when I have a big income and lots of family to attend just to "look better" for CIC. I really hope that I submitted enough proof that my partner and I are committed and I think we have (leases for the time we lived together (over a year), letters from my family/his family/friends about our relationship, photos since the start of our relationship until present, copies of hotel receipts/plane tickets/passport stamps on many trips we've taken together, all the same from when I've visited him several times, his rejected visa application where we stated we were common-law and he wanted to come to Canada to meet my family and see Canada, letters from each of us about our relationship, phone bills, skype history, joint bank account, money transfer history, etc). So I fee like we have proven that we a) lived together and b) have a real relationship (PS: I cant IMAGINE going through all this paper work and stress for a fake relationship, those people are MAD in their heads lol). I'm hoping we've done enough and that he gets through fast... these cold winter study nights without him have me down in the dumps!

A few of the seniors might chime in about if they think CL vs Marriage is harder... but I think it's the same level of success as long as you can PROVE you lived together and love each other for CL.. but that might just be my wishful thinking.. I'm biased hehehe.

I hope that answered your question

PS: On a completely different topic, you don't have to PM people if you want to talk about non-immigration stuff.. I mean, if you want it to be a private convo, of course, PM the person. But don't be afraid to post other things in this forum.. Sometimes it gets kind of depressing in here when people ONLY talk about immigration and no one has heard anything for a few days and the thread slowly disappears and becomes DEAD quiet... So feel free to post about whatever you want, whenever you want.

 

[millslu]

nice story @missdominica, did you hear about the law minister kenney put in place in around November for spousal landed immigrants? becasue of the extent of fake marriages he is now handing down temporary resident instead of permanent resident, so now after you get married and you get your temporary landing, you have to remain with your spouse for two years before you get your permanent landing, am not trying to bust your bubble here but how would that apply to CL, Just asking.

BTW the package UPS lost was found and signed for so one less stress. you doing an awesome job missD

 

[MissDominica]

nice story @ missdominica, did you hear about the law minister kenney put in place in around November for spousal landed immigrants? becasue of the extent of fake marriages he is now handing down temporary resident instead of permanent resident, so now after you get married and you get your temporary landing, you have to remain with your spouse for two years before you get your permanent landing, am not trying to bust your bubble here but how would that apply to CL, Just asking.

BTW the package UPS lost was found and signed for so one less stress. you doing an awesome job missD

Thank you! That's sweet of you to say.

Glad they found your package! I knew they would. I bet your wife is happy lol.

As for the new law, yes I did read about it. It is only for people who APPLIED after the new law, so it does not affect you or I. But it would be the same for common-law, conjugal, and married couples. ANY type of couple that applies after that law was passed must stay together for 2 years after they get PR. A common-law couple or a married couple, would have to follow the same rules.

 

[tamarindball]

I did read about that law somewhere but I have forgotten all the rules pertaining to it. Does this apply to couples e.g. married couples who just got married before filing for PR or would it apply to couples married for years, long before application submission?

Thank you! That's sweet of you to say.

Glad they found your package! I knew they would. I bet your wife is happy lol.

As for the new law, yes I did read about it. It is only for people who APPLIED after the new law, so it does not affect you or I. But it would be the same for common-law, conjugal, and married couples. ANY type of couple that applies after that law was passed must stay together for 2 years after they get PR. A common-law couple or a married couple, would have to follow the same rules.

Hey Everyone,

Please feel most welcome to share your timeline and overall experiences going through the Port of Spain office

 

[MissDominica]

I did read about that law somewhere but I have forgotten all the rules pertaining to it. Does this apply to couples e.g. married couples who just got married before filing for PR or would it apply to couples married for years, long before application submission?

It applies to ALL couples (spouses, partners, common-law, etc) and only applies to couples who have been married less than 2 years and/or do not have children together. If you have been married for 2+ years before PR is granted or if you have kids together, then it does not apply. Otherwise, it applies. Here's a quote from the statement about that law:

The new regulations apply to spouses or partners in a relationship of two years or less and who have no children in common with their sponsor at the time they submit their sponsorship application. The spouse or partner must live in a legitimate relationship with their sponsor for two years from the day on which they receive their permanent resident status in Canada. The status of the sponsored spouse or partner may be revoked if they do not remain in the relationship.

 

[tamarindball]

Oh thanks very much for the explanation and quote!

It applies to ALL couples (spouses, partners, common-law, etc) and only applies to couples who have been married less than 2 years and/or do not have children together. If you have been married for 2+ years before PR is granted or if you have kids together, then it does not apply. Otherwise, it applies. Here's a quote from the statement about that law:

The new regulations apply to spouses or partners in a relationship of two years or less and who have no children in common with their sponsor at the time they submit their sponsorship application. The spouse or partner must live in a legitimate relationship with their sponsor for two years from the day on which they receive their permanent resident status in Canada. The status of the sponsored spouse or partner may be revoked if they do not remain in the relationship.

Hey Everyone,

Please feel most welcome to share your timeline and overall experiences going through the Port of Spain office

 

[MissDominica]

Oh thanks very much for the explanation and quote!

Anytime!

 

[Behopeful]

Hey everyone! Here we are at the start of a new week... Hoping for some positive news for someone here!!

MissDominica thanks you so much for answering my question. I figured you wouldn't be offended, but I know some people are very private and don't want to be questioned regarding a decision they have made. It seems that you have lots of support for your application. Everything is in someone else's hands at this point.

Dadzin... Sorry it has taken a little bit to reply to your question. Celebrated our daughter's first birthday this weekend! Anyways, my experience is that some midwifery practices will take on patients that are uninsured on a pro bono (free) basis. My experience is that the midwife practices will make arrangements at the hospital so that the patient can get an epidual, ect. I have worked mostly with midwife clinics in the east Toronto area so that may be a place to start. I would suggest calling from now because midwives have a VERY long wait list and the summer months are typically very busy. I wouldn't mention that your wife isn't here, but just say she isn't comfortable speaking on the phone and get on the wait list. For the life of me I can't recall the names of the clinics at this time, but if they come to me I will let you know. Again, this is my experience working in Toronto and I'm not sure about other areas.
As for community health centers (CHC's) also offer services to clients that are uninsured. Typically they don't specialize in prenatal care, but they may be able to help to make some arrangements as well. CHC's are located across the Toronto area and serve the population within their boundaries. So you may find a CHC, but you have to live within the area they serve. I am familiar with east Toronto. The ones I know are in Malvern, Rouge River, Flemindon at Don Mills south of Eglinton and Fairview at Don Mills north of Sheppard. Those are ones I know. You may live in a different area, so just Google and see what you can find. There are tons of them in the Toronto area.

Hope that was helpful and all the best!

 

[MissDominica]

Hi all,

Heading to bed... gonna DREAM of my In Process tonight and hope that it works some magic.

Hope some of us hear some good news tomorrow... the start of a fresh week at POS.

Nite friends. Sweet DREAMS!

 

[millslu]

hi missed how did priestman get his notification for an interview do you know and when last did you see him on the forum? oh btw good morning missed hope this is our week.

 

[MissDominica]

hi missed how did priestman get his notification for an interview do you know and when last did you see him on the forum? oh btw good morning missed hope this is our week.

Hi there,

Priestman received his interview request by e-mail and last posted on January 21. Often, people who have received an interview request do not post much because they have a set date that they know they have the interview and they are not waiting for any updates until after that date...

 

[fromadistance]

Hi POS,

How long did any of you take before contacting them?

 

[millslu]

when you get the interview email arrive does your e-cast status change as well?

 

[MissDominica]

when you get the interview email arrive does your e-cast status change as well?

Sometimes it will say "In Process" and sometimes it does not change at all from "Application Received". Priestman's e-cas did not change from application received even though they were clearly processing his application and has still not changed even though he has an interview request. e-cas is very unreliable and is not updated by officers equally.. some people say theirs is updated properly while some never change...

 

[MissDominica]

Hi POS,

How long did any of you take before contacting them?

I have not contacted them as of yet (except for one CSE I sent to send a single piece of evidence to them). Contacting them this early about our files is pointless as they usually won't respond because it is so early in our process. Also, it apparently annoys them, so I haven't bothered. Someday I might break down though lol