Should we hire a consultant to help with the paperwork or do it yourself?

[Chloe Du]

Hi Guys!
Since my boyfriend is going to sponsor me for the PR status, we haven't started anything yet but we did do research and read through the CIC website many time. I wonder if i should hire the consultant or whoever like lawyer to help me with the process or is it ok to do it by myself?
please share your experiences and ideas, also my boyfriend will get me sponsored as a common-law partner because we are both 20s and did not get married yet, is it will be much harder to prove the relationship ?
many thanks

 

[John013]

I think doing the paperwork yourself is recommended for most people. When you read through the application package you will find that most things are pretty easy to figure out and most of the questions in the forms are also straightforward. Additional help can offered right here on the forum by other users. It will save you the hassle and additional costs of hiring a lawyer or immigration consultant.

 

[Immigrant84]

Yes I agree with the member above. DIY!
When my wife and I first started looking in to the whole process, it looked very overwhelming & intimidating. We called a few lawyers and consultants and after hearing their fees, decided to do it ourselves
Yes its a lot of work, lots of documents to collect & the application really requires attention to detail, its nothing that would require a $3000 assistance.
& most of the lawyers/consultants aren't gonna do the work for you. They will only double check your file to make sure you're not missing any documents before you mail it in.
Really though, this forum has answers to any question you may have.
Good Luck!

 

[Chloe Du]

Thank you very much John. We were stressing out about it recently because we never done anything as serious as this before.Thank again !

 

[Chloe Du]

Yes I agree with the member above. DIY!
When my wife and I first started looking in to the whole process, it looked very overwhelming & intimidating. We called a few lawyers and consultants and after hearing their fees, decided to do it ourselves
Yes its a lot of work, lots of documents to collect & the application really requires attention to detail, its nothing that would require a $3000 assistance.
& most of the lawyers/consultants aren't gonna do the work for you. They will only double check your file to make sure you're not missing any documents before you mail it in.
Really though, this forum has answers to any question you may have.
Good Luck!

Thank you ! <3<3

 

[Susieq]

I had the same thoughts before I started. We even waited 4 months after getting married because I was terrified of filling the forms out and making a mistake. The application is easier than it use to be and I worried for nothing. A lawyer won’t make things go any faster. Just be patient and double check everything and you will be just fine. We are here to help!

 

[muhammad092]

I want to sponsor my wife - within canada but an outland application. Where does the on the form we have to write that we have to do outland but within canada?

 

[John013]

I want to sponsor my wife - within canada but an outland application. Where does the on the form we have to write that we have to do outland but within canada?

Why would you want to do that? Processing times for inland and outland applications are the same now, plus if you apply for inland you can also apply for an open work permit, outland does not have that. As long as your wife can maintain legal status in Canada until her sponsorship is being processed and you applied for an OWP at the same time you are good to go.

 

[muhammad092]

Why would you want to do that? Processing times for inland and outland applications are the same now, plus if you apply for inland you can also apply for an open work permit, outland does not have that. As long as your wife can maintain legal status in Canada until her sponsorship is being processed and you applied for an OWP at the same time you are good to go.

Thankyou, the thing is that she wants to travel during her application. Thats why I wanted to process outland application.

 

[John013]

Thank you, the thing is that she wants to travel during her application. Thats why I wanted to process outland application.

I she applied outland but stayed in Canada the whole time under a visitor visa she would have to provide proof of her ties to her home country every time she crosses the border back into Canada, whatever visitor visa she had before leaving would be void and would not give her any guarantees of coming back into the country. If she applied inland and gets her open work permit it will be easier for her to come and go.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

I want to sponsor my wife - within canada but an outland application. Where does the on the form we have to write that we have to do outland but within canada?

It's asked on the checklist.

 

[scylla]

I she applied outland but stayed in Canada the whole time under a visitor visa she would have to provide proof of her ties to her home country every time she crosses the border back into Canada, whatever visitor visa she had before leaving would be void and would not give her any guarantees of coming back into the country. If she applied inland and gets her open work permit it will be easier for her to come and go.

Nope. Re-entering the country will be the same whether someone applies inland or outland. Same risks of being refused. Having an OWP does not mean you're allowed to re-enter.

Outland is the right choice if someone wants to be able to travel. That way if they are ever refused entry - the application will still be processed.

 

[muhammad092]

Nope. Re-entering the country will be the same whether someone applies inland or outland. Same risks of being refused. Having an OWP does not mean you're allowed to re-enter.

Outland is the right choice if someone wants to be able to travel. That way if they are ever refused entry - the application will still be processed.

I have a question- Do we have to submit the orignal or the photocopies? Because its says ''Make sure all photocopies are clear and easy to read. Other than copies of original documents used for translations, photocopies do not need to be certified. Don’t send originals unless we ask for them, because they will not be returned.''

 

[trackgal1]

I have a question- Do we have to submit the orignal or the photocopies? Because its says ''Make sure all photocopies are clear and easy to read. Other than copies of original documents used for translations, photocopies do not need to be certified. Don’t send originals unless we ask for them, because they will not be returned.''

You only send originals if they ask for them.

OP -- If your case is straightforward (no arrests/criminal background) then I suggest doing it yourself. From what people post on here, a lot of the lawyers aren't helpful. If you have things that you think would cause red flags, that's the only time I'd suggest hiring a lawyer to help out. The forms are pretty straightforward, just time consuming. Like someone else mentioned, most lawyers only check your paperwork once you fill it out [from what I hear].