REASONS GIVEN FOR REFUSAL

[Aquarian]

Hi,
I am hoping some of you can give me what reasons for the refusal? For us, it may be because of the short time together (5 months) before marrying and perhaps from different religious/cultural backgrounds.

Quick summary of us: I am 4 years older than him. Both never married. Different religious backgrounds, but have same principle (belief in God). Both are family-oriented and take marriage seriously. Share a lot of the same likes and dislikes, and addressed issues we may have in the future (due to cultural differences) and have already worked most of them out. We are both educated and have a good, stable job. I have two children from previous relationship and both my boys and my husband have a strong relationship. However, he does want for us to try to have one of our own and I feel the same (also agreed on what religion and whose last name child will carry). He has met my family and I have met his family via Skype (later visited and stayed with his family).

I had submitted all copies of emails, skype messages, FB messages, mailing correspondence, flight proofs, hotel and restaurant receipts, etc., and original pictures of both trips (our marriage/honeymoon and also when I visited see him and his family)...

I have not doubt that our relationship is genuine, but they might....

Are there any of you who were together for a short time before marrying and was still granted residency, or were refused, did an appeal, and was granted residency?

Thanks in advance.



Are there any of you who were together for a short time before marrying and was still granted residency, or were refused, did an appeal, and was granted residency?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Kiwi12]

Re: REASONS FOR REFUSAL

My husband and I met in October of 2011 online and then met in person in December of 2011. I went to his country for a visit. In January of 2012 he came to Canada for a lengthy visit, which he was questioned about at the border. In February of 2012 we married. In March of 2012 I sent the application in for spousal sponsorship. The file was transferred to the local CIC in October of 2012 when the Approval in Principal should have been granted. Because the CIC had no information on our relationship from March of 2012 to October of 2012 I sent additional documentation to them on two occasions. We were very blessed that we did not have to have an interview although it wouldn't have been a problem. The issue with short courtships is that it is hard to be able to judge what is being put into the relationship and lets face it, it takes a long time to really get to know a person. I am still finding things out about my husband that I didn't know before but it doesn't change the love I have for him and oftentimes, I feel it makes the relationship all that stronger as you are overcoming barriers and are willing to accept faults.

Ours was an inland sponsorship so we were living our lives together and I was off work for a couple of months and we spent every day together 24/7 the entire time. I would not have expected we would have been successful if it was an outland sponsorship where the two of us spent our lives apart except for emails, texts and Skype, which was what it was for the first two months.

I think every situation is unique. If you had a short courtship, do not expect that the sponsorship will go smoothly. It does not matter how much money you have or how talented or how much of a professional person you are. Every application goes through the same scrutiny.

I understand how you feel and I would like to give you surety but I am giving you honesty.

Good luck.

 

[Aquarian]

Thank you very much for your input and honesty. I agree that we can only try our best to get to know each other via internet and visits. We are still learning some new little things about each other - but it is exactly likely you said, we still love each other, the love does not waver, and it truly does deepen the love. My husband always says this and I feel exactly the same.
I hope that they see that we really do love each other somewhere in our many messages, pictures, etc. I have submitted...crossing my fingers.

 

[Kiwi12]

I always tell people that before they make the decision about marrying somebody in another country, be certain that you are willing to have your relationship in any country where you can be together. In our case, the reason my husband came to Canada was because he is a long-distance truck driver and can get a job in any country with his resume. He didn't have anything holding him to his country with a tight grip, although he has two adult children and his entire family there, which he misses a great deal. But I have properties I have put my life savings into, and a job that I have worked in for 24 years and I will be retiring at 55 which is in 4 more years with a great pension. To up and walk away from this would be a negative decision. However I can tell you I love his country which is Australia and so does he and he misses it very much. Although Canada is a truly beautiful place there are many other countries that are just as beautiful. If two people love each other enough, they would be willing to move to wherever it takes to be together. At one point when the file transferred I thought I was going to have to give it all up and leave, and I was preparing for it. I cried when we received the letter that the application was approved in principle. My husband often gets asked why he would ever want to come to Canada from Australia. Well the answer is always the same, to be with the woman I love. Smart man!

 

[canadianwoman]

Applicants from France, New Zealand, Australia, and other similar countries are very rarely refused. The OP appears to have sent in enough evidence that the relationship is genuine. If there is an interview, the visa officer will want to know that the husband and the step-children have a good relationship and that the husband knows all about the kids. The age difference should not matter. If the couple has discussed their religious differences and have decided what religion to raise any child in, make sure the visa officer knows this (again, if there is an interview.)

 

[yukon1970]

other than for errors in the application, wrong documents, etc do people just get flat out refused or does it happen after an interview and the vo thinks the relationship is not genuine?

 

[canadianwoman]

If the visa officer is suspicious about the application, he or she is supposed to call for an interview. If they refuse without an interview, this is one thing that can be brought up on appeal - the lack of procedural fairness. However, the visa officers of course know this, so they will almost always interview the applicant before refusing.

The most common cause for a refusal is that the visa officer thinks the relationship is not genuine. Other reasons are: the visa officer does not believe the couple will be able to support themselves; there is something that makes the visa officer believe that a common-law couple has not lived together for the required 12 months, or a married couple is not legally married; criminal problems or security concerns; etc. Medical problems usually just delay the application while the applicant undergoes further tests or treatment.

 

[Aquarian]

The father of my children would never grant permission for them to move overseas, unfortunately. And yes, I would move there otherwise. As for my husband, he has strong family ties as well, and it will be very hard for him when/if he comes here. Careerwise, he is a paralegal and has a university diploma in stocks management, and is also starting a delivery business. His diploma in stocks management may be recognized here, but the lawyer one will definitely not be, lol.
Some ask him also why he would want to move here (huge cultural differences; more "sexual" here, some feel they (Algerians) do not get treated well - even here in Quebec, etc.), much busier lifestyle, etc.), and he says it is to be with me. We must remember what they are giving up or will have to change/accept when they move to another country.

I always tell people that before they make the decision about marrying somebody in another country, be certain that you are willing to have your relationship in any country where you can be together. In our case, the reason my husband came to Canada was because he is a long-distance truck driver and can get a job in any country with his resume. He didn't have anything holding him to his country with a tight grip, although he has two adult children and his entire family there, which he misses a great deal. But I have properties I have put my life savings into, and a job that I have worked in for 24 years and I will be retiring at 55 which is in 4 more years with a great pension. To up and walk away from this would be a negative decision. However I can tell you I love his country which is Australia and so does he and he misses it very much. Although Canada is a truly beautiful place there are many other countries that are just as beautiful. If two people love each other enough, they would be willing to move to wherever it takes to be together. At one point when the file transferred I thought I was going to have to give it all up and leave, and I was preparing for it. I cried when we received the letter that the application was approved in principle. My husband often gets asked why he would ever want to come to Canada from Australia. Well the answer is always the same, to be with the woman I love. Smart man!

 

[Aquarian]

He is an applicant going through the France office, but he is from Algeria and, unfortunately, it is almost 100% sure that he will be interviewed. Unfortunate because it will just add another month or two to the waiting...
And he does know my kids well and they are very happy that we are married...
Yes, we have discussed the religious aspect for future children, and have agreed that the child will be raised muslim and have his last name, and that I will pick the child's first name.

Applicants from France, New Zealand, Australia, and other similar countries are very rarely refused. The OP appears to have sent in enough evidence that the relationship is genuine. If there is an interview, the visa officer will want to know that the husband and the step-children have a good relationship and that the husband knows all about the kids. The age difference should not matter. If the couple has discussed their religious differences and have decided what religion to raise any child in, make sure the visa officer knows this (again, if there is an interview.)

 

[canadianwoman]

He is an applicant going through the France office, but he is from Algeria and, unfortunately, it is almost 100% sure that he will be interviewed. Unfortunate because it will just add another month or two to the waiting...
And he does know my kids well and they are very happy that we are married...
Yes, we have discussed the religious aspect for future children, and have agreed that the child will be raised muslim and have his last name, and that I will pick the child's first name.

OK, an applicant from Algeria is a different matter. But you are only 4 years older - at the interview he must be prepared to explain why this is not a problem. Since you are young enough to still have children, he can mention that, and say that it is not an issue. As long as the two of you have discussed your religious differences and have come to an agreement about how religion will be intergrated into your life together, it should be enough for the visa officer.
Make sure he knows all about the children`s lives - I know one man who was rejected partly because, while he did know the age of his stepdaughter, he did not know what grade she was in. And this was what appeared to be a genuine marriage, from my point of view. (I knew the applicant, but not the Canadian sponsor.)

 

[Aquarian]

(I am sorry, I read your messages the day after, but have not answered you yet!)
I greatly appreciate your input!!

OK, an applicant from Algeria is a different matter. But you are only 4 years older - at the interview he must be prepared to explain why this is not a problem. Since you are young enough to still have children, he can mention that, and say that it is not an issue. As long as the two of you have discussed your religious differences and have come to an agreement about how religion will be intergrated into your life together, it should be enough for the visa officer.
Make sure he knows all about the children`s lives - I know one man who was rejected partly because, while he did know the age of his stepdaughter, he did not know what grade she was in. And this was what appeared to be a genuine marriage, from my point of view. (I knew the applicant, but not the Canadian sponsor.)