Sponsoring common-law partner

[DO1711]

Hello everyone,

I am a Canadian citizen and am currently starting an application to sponsor my common-law partner of three years from Turkey. We are both over the age of 20 and are currently students, my partner a graduate student(in Turkey) and I an undergraduate student (in Toronto). We lived together in Turkey for three years and have all sorts of evidence to prove this (rental contracts, pictures, statements) and both sides of our family knows and supports our relationship. He has met my entire family-they love him and I have met his entire family (picture and statement evidence) I moved back to Toronto last month to start my studies and am desperately trying to bring him here so we can continue our relationship here. We are in a genuine relationship and can't bear to be apart but I am afraid that our application will be rejected on the basis of financial needs. Since I just moved to Toronto i don't have a job and i live with my dad but I am looking for a job. We are both very well qualified to find jobs in Toronto. When we were living in Turkey we both worked as teachers full time and supported ourselves. Will the immigration office make this an issue in me sponsoring him? What will I need to do financially to make sure that we can be together again?
I am really scared that they will reject our application.
Is there any advice anyone can give me or any ideas whether about our cases' conclusion?

Thank you in advance

 

[marsiangal]

There is no financial criteria in sponsoring a spouse or common law. But I guess you should at least get a job, because you will be for one financially responsible for you spouse for 3 years.

 

[DO1711]

Yes I have applied to a few places, my main fear is that they will reject his application completely. He has no criminal record his health exam came out perfect.
I have just seen so many cases of real couples being rejected for absurd reasons. I just need some sort of re-assurance that I will be able to have my partner here in one years time.

 

[Rob_TO]

Since I just moved to Toronto i don't have a job and i live with my dad but I am looking for a job. We are both very well qualified to find jobs in Toronto.

This should be enough, and it shouldn't be an issue.

Get your dad (or any other family members willing to help) to write a testimonial letter stating he's willing to financially support you and your partner after you both move to Canada.
Also show the jobs that you are both capable of getting with your education, and the potential income you can make based on average salaries in your field.

 

[DO1711]

Unfortunately my dad has gone bankrupt so I don't think his statement would do any good although he has agreed to let us stay at his place until we find an apartment of our own. How do I provide this information? Do I give it in with my application? We have hired a lawyer to guide us through our case does the government at some point ask for proof of income for the duration of the month that I have been here?

 

[Rob_TO]

Unfortunately my dad has gone bankrupt so I don't think his statement would do any good although he has agreed to let us stay at his place until we find an apartment of our own. How do I provide this information? Do I give it in with my application? We have hired a lawyer to guide us through our case does the government at some point ask for proof of income for the duration of the month that I have been here?

IMO it shouldn't matter too much if your dad is going through a bankruptcy, as this doesn't mean he can't support you at all. Just offering a place to stay is already lots of financial assistance. Plus CIC won't even know he's going through bankruptcy... they won't research him, they won't do a background check on him, and they won't pull his credit report.

So I would still get him to write a letter saying he'll support you and specifically mention you'll be living with him (perhaps leave out that he's going through bankruptcy). Also if any other family are in Canada, they can also write you letters saying they will help support you until you find stable employment. Other than that, remember that there is no minimum income requirement here, so having CIC reject an application based on this is extremely rare (personally i've never read a case about that on this site).

Finally if this is the only reason you're getting a lawyer, I would seriously reconsider. If money is tight the last thing you want to do is spend around $3000 or something for a lawyer to do your application. Using the CIC guide and this site for questions, you should be able to do it yourselves no problem. Lawyers should only be used if there are serious issues like criminality or other legal things involved.

 

[DO1711]

Thank you very much
I feel much more relaxed now, I will get a letter from my father hopefully everything goes smoothly.

 

[DO1711]

I have one more question. What are some reasons that a sponsor might be rejected to sponsor?

 

[Rob_TO]

I have one more question. What are some reasons that a sponsor might be rejected to sponsor?

The 2 main reasons are having a criminal record, or if you're receiving government assistance (welfare) at the time you try to sponsor.

 

[DO1711]

I have one more question. On the supplementary form it asks about military service. My spouse has not yet gone to military service in Turkey- which is an obligation- the reason for that is that he is still a student doing a masters degree and hopefully will begin his phd if he were to come here which is why he is excused from the military until his education is complete.
Will this cause a problem? Because i don't want them to think that he's avoiding the service by coming to canada. He can always go back to do it. it's like a 5 month service only.
does anyone have some advice?

 

[SenoritaBella]

If your partner has never done military service, the answer is "NONE". As for whether they think he is avoiding military service, that is an issue for Turkey to deal with not Canada.

There are no income requirements for a sponsor, however, the sponsored person(i.e. your partner) could be refused for "financial reasons" if the officer is not satisfied that you(the sponsor) can provide for yourself not to talk of someone else. Search this forum, someone's husband was recently denied for this reason.

Since you don't work, it will be good to get a letter from your Dad about his financial support. Your partner should also show the types of jobs he can get with his education, just as Rob_TO suggested. Basically, there should be a plan in place for how you will support yourself and him as well.

About a lawyer - it's a personal choice I think and if you have the money. If you feel your case is straight forward and you are confident in doing it yourself, perhaps a lawyer is not necessary. On the flipside, a lawyer can also spot potential issues and address them, thereby minimising delays, etc.

 

[Chrislyn]

My partner is sponsoring me as common law partner. I believe there is no income requirement. Its also true that you can sponsor even if you are not working but i heard you will be asked on how you plan to support your partner. You need to explain that carefully tho.