SPONSORING AFRICAN SPOUSE

[Canuck]

Hi All,

I have some questions I'm hoping someone can answer.

My boyfriend and I are contemplating getting married in a year or so. I am a Canadian citizen living in Canada while he is an African living in a country of Southern Africa. We are unable to live together b/c he has been denied a visitor visa for Canada and his job (tour guide) requires that he be on the road for 90% of the year. He HAS to keep his job b/c he supports 10 members of his family and so he doesn't have the luxury of quitting his job so we can live in his country together. How much does CIC want people to live together to prove that their marriage is genuine? Do they consider that some couples simply CAN'T live together?

My second question is this. Shoudl a couple be married for a while BEFORE they apply for the Spousal Sponsorship? Does CIC look at the date of the wedding and the date of application? Is there a 'right' and 'wrong' period of time that needs to pass before an application for sponsorship is lodged?

We have lots of photos, emails, proof of money sent, phone bills, gifts, letters, receipts and visas of the times we've spent in Africa together, our friends know us as a couple (although they've never met him b/c he can't come to Canada). Does anyone have any more advice on what to provide to prove a genuine marriage if we can't live together? We obviously can't share rent, household chores, buy cars or furniture together etc. like a 'normal' couple would do. What other evidence can we give?

ANY ADVICE WELCOME!!!

Thanks and good luck to all involved with sponsoring a loved one to come to Canada.
Canuck

 

[maroraza]

if you got married all you need to show first a valid marriage cirtificate which is enough to prove a genuine marriage but yes sometime they ask few proof like photos or where you met or how you met normaly these things they and questions they ask during interview, if you are not taking any welfare from Goverment and you have somekind of job you can apply for your husband under family class
when your husband will go for interview he should speak only truth how you met and where you met and the all question they ask , and its not difficult only take little time to get family visa its not as quicker as visitor visa , maybe will take 6 to 12 months, Good luck

 

[thaiguy]

Hi All,

I have some questions I'm hoping someone can answer.

My boyfriend and I are contemplating getting married in a year or so. I am a Canadian citizen living in Canada while he is an African living in a country of Southern Africa. We are unable to live together b/c he has been denied a visitor visa for Canada and his job (tour guide) requires that he be on the road for 90% of the year. He HAS to keep his job b/c he supports 10 members of his family and so he doesn't have the luxury of quitting his job so we can live in his country together. How much does CIC want people to live together to prove that their marriage is genuine? Do they consider that some couples simply CAN'T live together?

My second question is this. Shoudl a couple be married for a while BEFORE they apply for the Spousal Sponsorship? Does CIC look at the date of the wedding and the date of application? Is there a 'right' and 'wrong' period of time that needs to pass before an application for sponsorship is lodged?

We have lots of photos, emails, proof of money sent, phone bills, gifts, letters, receipts and visas of the times we've spent in Africa together, our friends know us as a couple (although they've never met him b/c he can't come to Canada). Does anyone have any more advice on what to provide to prove a genuine marriage if we can't live together? We obviously can't share rent, household chores, buy cars or furniture together etc. like a 'normal' couple would do. What other evidence can we give?

ANY ADVICE WELCOME!!!

Thanks and good luck to all involved with sponsoring a loved one to come to Canada.
Canuck

Hi

Yes, they consider that some couples can't live together. But then they're going to look for other indications that your relationship is real.

There's not a specific period of time that you have to live together. But any time you spend will add to the legitimacy of the marriage. I suggest you look over the Application to Sponsor a Member of the Family Class and see what kinds of questions they ask about your relationship. You already have a good start documenting it with your wire transfers, pictures, etc. But read through all the forms so you know how to prepare.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/fc.asp