Sponsoring Common-Law Partner From Ireland

[MandiF]

Hi again! More questions some of ye can hopefully help me with!

- I contacted the Designated Medical Practitioner per CIC for the medical exam here in Ireland to ask about the cost and wait times for results. Just to remind I plan on applying outland for the common law partner visa. The receptionist said I need to bring the official form, stamped by the embassy, with my picture. I was under the impression I had to have my medical done when sending my application, using the printable form found on the CIC website. I assume the doctor's receptionist is correct but would like some confirmation.

Just to let you know that the doctor's receptionist is not correct, you need to go and get the medical done prior to sending in the application. For other types of visas for Canada you need to be requested to get the medical, but for spousal you need to have it done first.

You are correct in just taking the pics and form you got off the CIC website with you. Just make sure she knows its for spousal application and make sure you get your IMM 1017 back from them when you go.

 

[Baloo]

Just make sure she knows its for spousal application and make sure you get your IMM 1017 back from them when you go.

So many people do not do this....
and it causes no end of problems.

 

[PMM]

Hi

Hi again! More questions some of ye can hopefully help me with!

- I contacted the Designated Medical Practitioner per CIC for the medical exam here in Ireland to ask about the cost and wait times for results. Just to remind I plan on applying outland for the common law partner visa. The receptionist said I need to bring the official form, stamped by the embassy, with my picture. I was under the impression I had to have my medical done when sending my application, using the printable form found on the CIC website. I assume the doctor's receptionist is correct but would like some confirmation.

- I lived in Vancouver for 1 year in 2007-2008 and therefore will need to get a police certificate from the BC police for my application along with a police certificate from the Irish police. What is the best way of getting this police certificate from the Vancouver police? I'm not planning on visiting Vancouver anytime soon!

Thanks for everything!

The receptionist is slightly wrong. Just take the Appendix C with your passport and a photo. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/guides/3901e.pdf
You don't the Canadian police certificate, unless CIC/CHC asks. They will do their own name check. if there is nothing on CPIC, then they won't request it. PS you need an RCMP police certificate, if it is requested, not a Vancouver City Police certificate. I think that you really should re-read the instructions.

 

[Crillz]

Hey, having my medical done tomorrow, theres something I would like to clarify. I have to bring 5 passport photographs with me, 1 for the xray and 4 for the medical. My question is with regard to the photograph size, When I applied for my 1 year working holiday visa 3 years ago I had to get a special photograph specific to Canadian visas, I asked the woman at the doctors and she just said passport photographs, but not so sure I trust she knows for sure. Can't see anything mentioned in what I read this morning.

 

[rjessome]

Hey, having my medical done tomorrow, theres something I would like to clarify. I have to bring 5 passport photographs with me, 1 for the xray and 4 for the medical. My question is with regard to the photograph size, When I applied for my 1 year working holiday visa 3 years ago I had to get a special photograph specific to Canadian visas, I asked the woman at the doctors and she just said passport photographs, but not so sure I trust she knows for sure. Can't see anything mentioned in what I read this morning.

Follow the photo specifications as outlined in the Region Specific Guide.

 

[Crillz]

I have a question regarding IMM 5490 question 22&23 which asks have you had a ceremony to recognize/celebrate the relationship and was there a reception. We don't really understand what kind of ceremony they mean and is it a big negative if we have never had such a ceremony... :/ I mean we meet up with family, spent christmas together, go out to dinner together but never a big ceremony celebrating our relationship, I have never heard of such a thing!

Also, question 8 in IMM 5490. What is the purpose of this question? I have a cousin who recently went on a 1 year working holiday visa in Vancouver and a few weeks ago got a positive visa application to stay with her current company. I don't want to jeopardize her visa application and when I ask her for her address I'm sure she will want to know why they need to know this info.

Thanks!

 

[patiently_waiting]

Hi again! More questions some of ye can hopefully help me with!

- I contacted the Designated Medical Practitioner per CIC for the medical exam here in Ireland to ask about the cost and wait times for results. Just to remind I plan on applying outland for the common law partner visa. The receptionist said I need to bring the official form, stamped by the embassy, with my picture. I was under the impression I had to have my medical done when sending my application, using the printable form found on the CIC website. I assume the doctor's receptionist is correct but would like some confirmation.

- I lived in Vancouver for 1 year in 2007-2008 and therefore will need to get a police certificate from the BC police for my application along with a police certificate from the Irish police. What is the best way of getting this police certificate from the Vancouver police? I'm not planning on visiting Vancouver anytime soon!

Thanks for everything!

Hey Crillz, my boyfriend took the blank form and his pic and passport etc... all was good. I think she may have misunderstood

 

[rjessome]

I have a question regarding IMM 5490 question 22&23 which asks have you had a ceremony to recognize/celebrate the relationship and was there a reception. We don't really understand what kind of ceremony they mean and is it a big negative if we have never had such a ceremony... :/ I mean we meet up with family, spent christmas together, go out to dinner together but never a big ceremony celebrating our relationship, I have never heard of such a thing!

Also, question 8 in IMM 5490. What is the purpose of this question? I have a cousin who recently went on a 1 year working holiday visa in Vancouver and a few weeks ago got a positive visa application to stay with her current company. I don't want to jeopardize her visa application and when I ask her for her address I'm sure she will want to know why they need to know this info.

Thanks!

1. Some couples who choose not to get married have commitment ceremonies. Or same-sex couples who are not legally able to get married may have ceremonies to celebrate their relationship. That's what these are asking about. Like a wedding reception without the wedding but to celebrate the relationship. No, not a big deal if you didn't have one.

2. Providing the name and address of your family member will not harm her application in any way. I'm not 100% sure why they ask this but assume it may have something to do with adaptability. Bottom line is if they ask for it, you should do your best to provide it.

 

[canadianwoman]

I have a question regarding IMM 5490 question 22&23 which asks have you had a ceremony to recognize/celebrate the relationship and was there a reception. We don't really understand what kind of ceremony they mean and is it a big negative if we have never had such a ceremony... :/ I mean we meet up with family, spent christmas together, go out to dinner together but never a big ceremony celebrating our relationship, I have never heard of such a thing!

Most common-law couples have never had a ceremony to recognize the relationship, so you can be approved without having had one. Some couples have a party, a family get-together, or some other celebration to 'announce' that they are now a common-law couple, or to announce that they are moving in together; if so, include details of this party in your application. Without one, just write that you didn't feel that such a ceremony was necessary, that you just told your family and friends about the relationship but didn't have a party.

Also, question 8 in IMM 5490. What is the purpose of this question? I have a cousin who recently went on a 1 year working holiday visa in Vancouver and a few weeks ago got a positive visa application to stay with her current company. I don't want to jeopardize her visa application and when I ask her for her address I'm sure she will want to know why they need to know this info.

If an applicant has a lot of family living in Canada, the visa officer might think that the primary reason the person wants to come to Canada is to join family there, not to be with his/her spouse. Having family already in Canada is a bit of a 'red flag' for CIC. If you have a lot of family already in Canada, just up the amount of evidence you submit showing your relationship is genuine. One cousin will not make any difference. Your application won't hurt her application. Just tell her why you want her address. If she won't give it to you, just put her name and 'Vancouver' as the address, and explain that you don't know what her address is.

 

[Crillz]

Thanks so much both of you! You are always very helpful canadianwoman! I really appreciate it

-Birth Certificate. I have noticed a lot of people discussing birth certificates, people who like us are applying via London. From my understanding from the guide a passport alone is more than sufficient, is this true?

- My girlfriend and I have been living together since 09 Feb 2010, we have proof of living together during this time. We are applying outland but plan to fly to Montreal on January 25th as her 1 year work visa is coming to an end. I will be entering Canada on a tourist visa at this time. As I am applying outland I have a Irish address listed for my police record and medicals. For the end of the required 1 year I will be in Montreal on the tourist visa and I plan on staying there not working obviously while the process takes place. We plan on submitting on the 10th of Feb 2011. Can I use this address in Ireland since I am applying outland and attach a letter explaining that I have been in Canada since Jan 25th (with proof like pictures and letters from my girlfriends mother and friends) and plan on staying there on the tourist visa while to process goes ahead?

-Organising the application is something we are figuring out at the moment. We feel at the moment that the best way of organising it would be to follow the questions IMM5490 (Partner Questionnaire). So for Each question, reference a chapter in our supporting documents in the answer fields, like "refer to Facebook Section 4"


Thanks everyone, I cannot say that enough.

 

[canadianwoman]

Thanks so much both of you! You are always very helpful canadianwoman! I really appreciate it

You're welcome. I'm always glad to help.

-Birth Certificate. I have noticed a lot of people discussing birth certificates, people who like us are applying via London. From my understanding from the guide a passport alone is more than sufficient, is this true?

It seems they do not 100% require the birth certificate, but when people don't include one, the visa officer often requests it later. To be safe, send in a copy of it.

- My girlfriend and I have been living together since 09 Feb 2010, we have proof of living together during this time. We are applying outland but plan to fly to Montreal on January 25th as her 1 year work visa is coming to an end. I will be entering Canada on a tourist visa at this time. As I am applying outland I have a Irish address listed for my police record and medicals. For the end of the required 1 year I will be in Montreal on the tourist visa and I plan on staying there not working obviously while the process takes place. We plan on submitting on the 10th of Feb 2011. Can I use this address in Ireland since I am applying outland and attach a letter explaining that I have been in Canada since Jan 25th (with proof like pictures and letters from my girlfriends mother and friends) and plan on staying there on the tourist visa while to process goes ahead?

This sounds fine. Just make sure to clearly indicate that you are still living together in Canada while you are on a visitor's visa. The proof you mentioned sounds good.
Using your Irish address or your girlfriend's Canadian address would both be fine. The Irish one is more 'officially' correct, since your app is outland, but people on this forum have used the Canadian address of their spouse/partner without any problems.

-Organising the application is something we are figuring out at the moment. We feel at the moment that the best way of organising it would be to follow the questions IMM5490 (Partner Questionnaire). So for Each question, reference a chapter in our supporting documents in the answer fields, like "refer to Facebook Section 4"

This sounds fine. Number the pages in the supporting evidence section and include a table of contents.

 

[Crillz]

I'm a bit confused and stressed due to the affidavit. My uncle, who happens to be a lawyer has kindly said he would do it for us. He seemed a little surprised that the Canadian embassy didn't have any layout and wants me to put together with the people who will be the subject of the affidavits a list of bullet points of what needs to be included, i.e. the facts. He then will put it together and we will meet up to have it notarized. Most of the examples I have found on here are short examples like :


I, ................, solemnly declare that (state the fact or facts declared to), and I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing it to be true, and knowing that it is of the same force and effect as if made under oath.

Declared before me .................... at .................... this .................... day of .................... 19.............


Is this a good example and should the affidavit be limited to something simple like this? One of our affidavits is important to our application as the person who is writing it lived with us and will be saying we lived together and were in a relationship, so is it okay for him to say he declares that he we lived together at this address and were in a good relationship and then have him write a letter separate with more personalized facts, like sharing birthdays together and doing activities together. Sorry if this is a little confusing! I'm just feeling a little lost right now :/

Thanks!

 

[Crillz]

I have a question regarding my police report, my police report is from Ireland, has my address at birth and current address on it, is stamped, signed and has a reference number on it. It also states it is issued for the info of the canadian consular authorities. Is this sufficient? The reason I ask as there is no space on it and I wasn't asked for my addresses inbetween address at birth and current address.

 

[rjessome]

I have a question regarding my police report, my police report is from Ireland, has my address at birth and current address on it, is stamped, signed and has a reference number on it. It also states it is issued for the info of the canadian consular authorities. Is this sufficient? The reason I ask as there is no space on it and I wasn't asked for my addresses inbetween address at birth and current address.

It's fine. You provide all of the addresses where you've lived since the age of 18 on the Schedule 1 Background/Declaration.

 

[Crillz]

Yeah I have all those, just making sure you didn't have to have every single address you lived at on the police certificate. Thanks!