Sponsorship application. Help needed to DIVIDE AND CONQUER.

[Mirna Lola]

Sweden...yes I do understand now . In my defense im a bit dumb today. Woke up with realization that it's July already and I've been slacking with visa and preparations.


What did you do? Inland or out??

Btw, I was under impression that medical is for sake of WP and OHIP coverage...would that not mean that my asthma and vision would be an issue for them?

 

[Sweden]

I did outland. I was out of Canada when i started the process, and then came to Canada as a visitor before the process was done, and waited for my PR in Canada.

Medicals is for everybody for immigration, but the results are more or less important depending on which stream you're coming under. If you're a skilled worker, you can be denied if you're not in good health, for example. But for spousal sponsorship, you're not coming into the country to work - you're coming because your partner is Canadian (or PR). So the medicals can not be a reason why you get denied. Spouses are "excessive medicals demand exempt" ( or something like this) - it means that CIC can not refuse a spouse based on the health. They will check that you have no contagious disease. If you do - then you will have to get treated before you're allowed into Canada, but you won't be denied.

It has nothing to do with work permit of OHIP (which is called differently depending on which province you live in, as it's a provincial system).

 

[Mirna Lola]

Nothing contagious or dangerous. Medical was a source of stress for me since I got grilled about my health when I arrived to Canada. Possibly due to all the meds I hauled with me,lmao but still. Perhaps I worry too much. I did everything by the rules,always on time with my visa,have been here for 2 years, and have been with my boyfriend for almost 3. No lack of proof for genuine relationship but there is always a chance we will get denied based on income/lack of one.
How did you and your better half handled that issue?

 

[Sweden]

Nothing contagious or dangerous. Medical was a source of stress for me since I got grilled about my health when I arrived to Canada. Possibly due to all the meds I hauled with me,lmao but still. Perhaps I worry too much. I did everything by the rules,always on time with my visa,have been here for 2 years, and have been with my boyfriend for almost 3. No lack of proof for genuine relationship but there is always a chance we will get denied based on income/lack of one.
How did you and your better half handled that issue?

There is no minimum income for spousal sponsorship. As long as you can explain your plan to CIC, then it should be fine. What CIC is concerned about is that you (or your sponsor) might go on welfare once you're re-united. In your case - you're already in the country, so you getting PR would be a plus - you could finally work and make some money. So - chances are that if you can make ends meet now without you working, getting a PR will make it easier, not more difficult. So explain how you currently support yourself ( or how your sponsor does), and what is your plan for the future. Explain what type of job you will get, what skills you have. If you're staying with family, or getting supports from them, get them to write a letter explaining that they are currently supporting you, and will continue to do so until you can do it for yourself. It doesn't make them a co-signer ( there is no such thing for spousal), and it's not legally binding, but it will help.

My partner was approved as a sponsor despite being a student for the last 3 years ( and worked only 5 months during the last few summers), having a student loan, and no job offer in Canada when we came back. We just explained how we would support ourselves, and got approved. Income is rarely a reason why spouses get denied. So just explain what your plan is, document it, and it should be fine.

 

[Mirna Lola]

There is no minimum income for spousal sponsorship. As long as you can explain your plan to CIC, then it should be fine. What CIC is concerned about is that you (or your sponsor) might go on welfare once you're re-united. In your case - you're already in the country, so you getting PR would be a plus - you could finally work and make some money. So - chances are that if you can make ends meet now without you working, getting a PR will make it easier, not more difficult. So explain how you currently support yourself ( or how your sponsor does), and what is your plan for the future. Explain what type of job you will get, what skills you have. If you're staying with family, or getting supports from them, get them to write a letter explaining that they are currently supporting you, and will continue to do so until you can do it for yourself. It doesn't make them a co-signer ( there is no such thing for spousal), and it's not legally binding, but it will help.

My partner was approved as a sponsor despite being a student for the last 3 years ( and worked only 5 months during the last few summers), having a student loan, and no job offer in Canada when we came back. We just explained how we would support ourselves, and got approved. Income is rarely a reason why spouses get denied. So just explain what your plan is, document it, and it should be fine.

You make it seem so easy . He works during breaks from school and his family is extremely well off so they help out when ever is needed (much to my dismay) . They (his parents and grandparents) already offered to provide bank statements and written statements that they most certainly can afford to help us out if needed.
Also I have more then one friend with kids who are just waiting for me to sort out my papers so I could watch their kids and get paid for it. Would that be something worth of putting in? It would not be a full time job, but it would be paid and I would start as soon as CIC approves of my OWP .

I would not want them to be under impression I was looking for jobs/working while being here as a visitor.

 

[Mirna Lola]

Btw if medical and income are rarely the reasons for PR and sponsorship getting denied...then what is the reason? I read some horror stories. While I fully understand government point of view and efforts to stop people using sponsorship as simply means of getting the papers (when there is no genuine relationship) what about people who do have an actual relationship and managed to prove it? Is it possible that the proof was simply not satisfactory for the officer in question, and that is the reason they got denied?

More then once I was grilled (even strip searched) simply cause an officer in the port of entry of the country I was visiting had a bad day or simply wanted someone to bully around.

 

[Sweden]

You make it seem so easy . He works during breaks from school and his family is extremely well off so they help out when ever is needed (much to my dismay) . They (his parents and grandparents) already offered to provide bank statements and written statements that they most certainly can afford to help us out if needed.
Also I have more then one friend with kids who are just waiting for me to sort out my papers so I could watch their kids and get paid for it. Would that be something worth of putting in? It would not be a full time job, but it would be paid and I would start as soon as CIC approves of my OWP .

I would not want them to be under impression I was looking for jobs/working while being here as a visitor.

you're allowed to look for work while on a visitor visa, but you're not allowed to work I wouldn't necessary put something that specific, but maybe something along the lines of you having already establish a good network of friends and relations that will help you get a job once your PR is approved (OWP is only available if you apply inland, not outland).

Also - get a letter from his family stating that they are willing to support both of you until you are established. They don't need to provide bank statements or anything like this, but just make it clear to CIC that the risk of you going on welfare is very low. He should explain how he is currently supporting both of us, and how that has worked for the past 2 years, and provide info about his student job etc.

Btw if medical and income are rarely the reasons for PR and sponsorship getting denied...then what is the reason? I read some horror stories. While I fully understand government point of view and efforts to stop people using sponsorship as simply means of getting the papers (when there is no genuine relationship) what about people who do have an actual relationship and managed to prove it? Is it possible that the proof was simply not satisfactory for the officer in question, and that is the reason they got denied?

More then once I was grilled (even strip searched) simply cause an officer in the port of entry of the country I was visiting had a bad day or simply wanted someone to bully around.

Main reason for CIC to deny couples is when they believe that the relationship is not genuine. You will read stories here, always keep in mind that you only hear the applicant side - not CIC. I'm not saying that CIC denies only couples that deserve it, far from that, but sometimes the application is not well put together, or there are lots of red flags ( short relationship, previous sponsorship, not living together or not visiting, not communicating daily, etc. ). CIC won't deny a PR without giving the chances to a couple to have an interview. Of course - there are always officers that are in a bad mood, not professional, etc. However - if you have a straightforward case ( living together for 2 years, dating for 3, lots of proofs that your family knows about him, his family about you, you have friends in common, no previous sponsorship from his side etc. ), and you have a complete application, there are very few chances to be denied. So - don't worry about it too much. Concentrate on putting together a good application, address any possible red flags up-front (if you have a 20 years age difference for example, you might want to state why it isn't an issue, if you want to have children or not etc - just an example, not saying it applies), have "quality proofs" ( over quantity! 100 pictures won't be very useful if they don't show you and your partner together for example, and preferably with family!).

Border officers are different from CIC....if you've been living in Canada for over 2 years, you probably have enough proofs, and I wouldn't worry about being denied - the waiting time sucks, but it comes to an end eventually.

 

[Mirna Lola]

Oh,no...no 20 year difference lol. 11 months of difference between us and until we met he never dated anyone but Canadians. How ever we did meet over Facebook (back in 2007 and maintained friendship till early 2011 when we realized it became more then friendship) would that raise a red flag?
Both of our families are very accepting and supportive and we did spend last X-mas with my family last year, so we have plenty of photos .


Any advice how to make my application "good" ,I would hate to get denied over something trivial as right now it seems that we have all the major issues (genuine relationship,commitment,money...etc) covered.

 

[Sweden]

Online meeting and dating is a very common thing - definitely not an issue. If you had never met, that might be, but in your case, definitely not something to worry about.

How to make your application good? read the guideline (both the general one and the region specific if you apply outland), and follow the direction. Start gathering proofs ( even if you have lots, you will have to sort through - quality over quantity!), getting the application organised takes a fair bit of time, and can be a little overwhelming. Decide whether you want to apply inland or outland, then download the application package, and start filling out everything. Follow the checklist, don't "add" anything, don't put up a very fancy presentation (binders, dividers, staples etc ) - just follow the checklist, and make sure EVERYTHING is there - go through the forms, and answer all the questions, make sure you have signed everywhere needed.

Get the police certificate started, depending on where you lived before. leave the medicals for the last minute - as they are only valid for 1 year, you want to do them as close to the sending date as possible.

Put together your application, don't look at it for a few days, then go over it, and try to put yourself in a stranger's shoes: reading it, would it convince a stranger that you guys are a genuine couple? if yes, then great. If not, then add pictures, proofs, family letters etc.

It seems like you have a straightforward application, so there is no reason to worry about being denied. and in general : if CIC has doubts, they will ask for more documents, or give you an opportunity to explain. You won't get denied because you forgot something - it will delay the application, but you will get a chance to explain.
Sweden

 

[Sweden]

Also - DON'T read the appeal thread, because it will make you worry, and doubt everything you do. Stick with the guidelines, if something is unclear, come to the forum and ask a question, you'll always find somebody to answer.

 

[Mirna Lola]

BF works midnight so I think I will start sorting it through tomorrow. Considering my current visa expires on September 30th what should be the latest I send it out? Obviously I have no intentions to overstay my visa and will be applying before 30th however would it be frowned upon if I send it out at the last possible moment (as in a week before the 30th) ??

You have been so helpful I cannot thank you enough.

 

[Sweden]

If you apply outland - you need to keep on extending your visa as you did previously (no implied status with outland application). If you don't have your application ready by the beginning of September, then at least pay the fees (online) and add the receipt to your request of extension - like this you can show that you are serious about applying for PR, even if you haven't sent your application yet. Better though would be to have the proof that you have sent your application already, but if it can not be done, then ok.

If you apply inland, as long as your application reaches CIC BEFORE your current visa runs out, it should be good. However, you will have implied status with inland only if you include an OWP application with your inland application ( just put the OWP application with the inland application and write on the top of the form "to be processed together with Inland application").

Good luck!
Sweden

 

[Mirna Lola]

Considering my situation (and visa expiry) what would be better solution inland or outland ?? Also lets say I do inland (as I am aiming for OWP) when is the latest I should send it out? Not sure how long post here takes,or where exactly the PR is being processed (im in Windsor, Ontario) . Btw, you said wait till last minute with medical...did you get yours on site (as in as soon as the check up was done) or did you have to wait and come and pick them up/got them sent to you??
Asking so I would be able to include waiting period (if there is one) in the equation.

 

[DaleandMonica]

Oh,no...no 20 year difference lol. 11 months of difference between us and until we met he never dated anyone but Canadians. How ever we did meet over Facebook (back in 2007 and maintained friendship till early 2011 when we realized it became more then friendship) would that raise a red flag?
Both of our families are very accepting and supportive and we did spend last X-mas with my family last year, so we have plenty of photos .


Any advice how to make my application "good" ,I would hate to get denied over something trivial as right now it seems that we have all the major issues (genuine relationship,commitment,money...etc) covered.

I just want to wish you all the best. I met my husband on facebook too. I didn't even look for a boyfriend.....but after some time of friendship, we got closer and closer to each other too I came to Canada March 18 2011 and m now happily married.....soon to have our second anniversary I remember how nervous I was for all the papers and documents, when I worked on the application. And I didn't know about this forum back then....I wish I did though.....so you have very good help here. Sweden is the best. She has helped me through so many nervous days

If I were you I would start by ordering my criminal report.....it use to take some time before it comes. And during that waiting time I would start to go through the application.....and ask for help here, when I get questions. I had A LOT of questions during our work to get the application ready.....so I have a feeling this forum will be your friend

I wish you all the best hugs

 

[Sweden]

Considering my situation (and visa expiry) what would be better solution inland or outland ?? Also lets say I do inland (as I am aiming for OWP) when is the latest I should send it out? Not sure how long post here takes,or where exactly the PR is being processed (im in Windsor, Ontario) . Btw, you said wait till last minute with medical...did you get yours on site (as in as soon as the check up was done) or did you have to wait and come and pick them up/got them sent to you??
Asking so I would be able to include waiting period (if there is one) in the equation.

Inland or outland is your decision, as both have pros and cons - and you're the only one that can decide for that. read the first thread ( spousal sponsorship by Leon, only the first page), for an overview of the process. Inland is most likely longer time, but you will get a work permit after abut 8 months, and PR somewhere between 14 to 16 months most likely. Outland is faster, but you can not work until you are fully done. Inland you can not leave the country, Outland you can come and go. (re-entry is never guaranteed of course, but it won't affect your application).

I would advise to send your application at least 10 days before your visa expires, if you are going for Inland. You don't want to miss the deadline and not have implied status.

For the medicals> you don't need the results, you only need the proof that you have done the exam. When you book an appointment ( with a panel physician on CIC list), at the end you will be given a slip with your ID and a number - you include that in the application and the medical results will be matched up with your application later on during the process. So there is no waiting time.