Spousal Sponsorship Help.

[Chroniverous]

Good afternoon,

So my girlfriend who is currently on a visitor extension and living with me is nearing the 1 year common law deadline and we will soon be applying for PR sponsorship. I am looking at the wait times as of now, should we still be applying for outland sponsorship or inland because they currently show the same wait time. Anything we should absolutely know before we go ahead and do this.

We received her extension approved with the reason for extension being "trying to gain common law status"

The stress levels are rising and we are unsure how we should go about this. Any tips or help going forward with this would be greatly appreciated. I thank you in advanced!

 

[Staunts2015]

Good afternoon,

So my girlfriend who is currently on a visitor extension and living with me is nearing the 1 year common law deadline and we will soon be applying for PR sponsorship. I am looking at the wait times as of now, should we still be applying for outland sponsorship or inland because they currently show the same wait time. Anything we should absolutely know before we go ahead and do this.

We received her extension approved with the reason for extension being "trying to gain common law status"

The stress levels are rising and we are unsure how we should go about this. Any tips or help going forward with this would be greatly appreciated. I thank you in advanced!

Hi, they recently made big changes to the spousal PR application. They will come out with a NEW application tomorrow (Dec. 15), and with it, they are getting rid of the outland/inland aspect. Everyone will submit the same application, which explains a similar wait time. You should wait for the new application tomorrow, as it is supposed to be easier/streamlined.

 

[Chroniverous]

Thank you for the prompt response. What are the major changes and how will this effect us? Will the wait times be shorter?
By chance is there a link I can read up on? Thank you friend!

 

[Staunts2015]

Thank you for the prompt response. What are the major changes and how will this effect us? Will the wait times be shorter?
By chance is there a link I can read up on? Thank you friend!

The announcement was on December 7, 2016. There was a thread here outlining the changes. Overall, processing times will be much shorter, and new agents will be hired to process more applications. Here's the thread: http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/family-reunification-big-changes-t464474.0.html

 

[Chroniverous]

So we have some great news! They gave my girlfriend another year on her visitor status on the terms that we were gaining common law for sponsorship. Our 1 year mark is in April. What should we start getting ready and is there any differences now since the new changes to the sponsorship program?

We are very nervous but want to do it right the first time. I have done quite a bit of reading on this forum but always like to see a senior or knowledgeable member chime in.

My main question I guess is where do we start now?

 

[Aquakitty]

So we have some great news! They gave my girlfriend another year on her visitor status on the terms that we were gaining common law for sponsorship. Our 1 year mark is in April. What should we start getting ready and is there any differences now since the new changes to the sponsorship program?

We are very nervous but want to do it right the first time. I have done quite a bit of reading on this forum but always like to see a senior or knowledgeable member chime in.

My main question I guess is where do we start now?

Your evidence, mainly. Since Dec. 15 you no longer do your medical upfront (though you can) nor do you send in your PC with the app. You should plan where you want to get the medical done, you can get your PC now and send it with app or wait for the request, and, of course, you need all your documentation. If you need anything translated, you can do that now. Get photos, proof, etc. Just follow the document list for all the "peripherals" you'll need.

 

[Chroniverous]

I am sorry but what is PC? I think i am having a brain fart.

Also for the evidence of relationship, what is the strongest would you say for proof? We have so many photos of us together including 2 different weddings in 2016 alone, and many pictures with our families.

I understand we should include photographs of our conversations and what not.

What i am most interested in mainly and my main concern is how it is presented. Like to we just send it all in a folder or should we make a scrapbook of our journeys with removable pictures and conversations printed?

 

[danawhitaker]

I am sorry but what is PC? I think i am having a brain fart.

Also for the evidence of relationship, what is the strongest would you say for proof? We have so many photos of us together including 2 different weddings in 2016 alone, and many pictures with our families.

I understand we should include photographs of our conversations and what not.

What i am most interested in mainly and my main concern is how it is presented. Like to we just send it all in a folder or should we make a scrapbook of our journeys with removable pictures and conversations printed?

PC = police certificate.

I believe in the instructions they mention not using folders. They do mention large elastic bands, I think. But the amount of proof they want now compared to the new kit is less, so you probably won't need to get to that point. I would just follow the order on the checklist. I believe it's a max of 20 photos and up to 10 pages of social media/conversations.

Specific wording from the guide: "Do not use staples, binders, plastic sleeves, folders or albums to submit your application. Elastic bands for photos or paper clips are acceptable."

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5525ETOC.asp

Your evidence, mainly. Since Dec. 15 you no longer do your medical upfront (though you can) nor do you send in your PC with the app. You should plan where you want to get the medical done, you can get your PC now and send it with app or wait for the request, and, of course, you need all your documentation. If you need anything translated, you can do that now. Get photos, proof, etc. Just follow the document list for all the "peripherals" you'll need.

I thought people were being told by panel physicians they could no longer make appointments for an upfront exam and that they needed to wait for a request.

 

[Chroniverous]

Going more into depth on the not using folder and what not, everything should be included with all the paperwork in the mailed envelope we send using elastics bands and or paperclips?

 

[canadianwoman]

You can just put the forms and the evidence in order and put it all in one envelope. You do not have to attach the pages with paper clips or elastic bands. That was more for very large applications with the older forms.

For a common-law sponsorship, you have to prove two things: 1. that you two have lived together for 12 continuous months, and 2. that your relationship is genuine.

 

[Chroniverous]

Another question, as for showing financial dependencies. I wouldn't have any towards her since shes unable to work correct? But would providing her car loan/insurance and credit card bills be enough for the financial dependencies portion?

 

[canadianwoman]

The financial dependency can be either way. So if you pay any of her expenses, that can be used as proof.

 

[Chroniverous]

For the proof of relationship to sponsor. We have a few of the documents as I will list here. But what are some others we can easily get. We are stumped.
-Joint residential lease
-Names on the phone bills
-Bank account together
-Credit card together
^ these are what we have together.

I know it says other copies of government issues identification, but what can we use that will allow her to have a Canadian address?

 

[Chroniverous]

Also, at this point, should we apply as Inland? Reason being that we don't mind if it takes longer to process, but do they still give out OWP to people awaiting a decision on a PR Application that was sent in?