Supporting Family Class Fellows - 2024/2025

[SkyEarth]

Hello Family Class Community!

I have a friend who is trying very hard to immigrate to Canada to be with her man. They've been separated but "in a relationship" for like 12 years and a major part of what's kept them apart has been the expense of maintaining an international relationship (I'm sure we've all been there lol).

If everyone who sees this post pitched in just $10 USD, I know we could really make a big difference in their lives. And they've just been through so much (more details about that are available on their GoFundMe page in the link above) that I really think a bit of love from our community would be a great blessing for them.

I remember what it was like when I needed help and no one was there for me, and I remember what it was like when I received just what I needed to make the next big leap. I want to pay that forward, and it is my hope that I am not alone in that sentiment. I'm a believer that money should never be the thing keeping you from someone you love.

Anyone who has appreciated my information on the immigration process, help, or advice in any of the sub-forums, please consider paying that appreciation forward with a small contribution to this campaign and sharing the link with others who might also be willing to contribute.

Thank you all for your time and attention. Let's show this pair how much this community supports each other and how impactful that support can be

 

[Naturgrl]

This is to fund their $20k wedding not for supporting a family class immigration application.

 

[SkyEarth]

This is to fund their $20k wedding not for supporting a family class immigration application.

They need help funding the wedding so that they can proceed to the next step, which is applying for a family class application (which these funds may assist with as well) so that they can stay together. Additionally, they've been apart for so long and gone through so much hardship that having one thing they don't need to worry about would be a nice gesture of support.

 

[scylla]

They need help funding the wedding so that they can proceed to the next step, which is applying for a family class application (which these funds may assist with as well) so that they can stay together. Additionally, they've been apart for so long and gone through so much hardship that having one thing they don't need to worry about would be a nice gesture of support.

Make sure they are aware they can apply as common law and don't need to be married to start the application process. Looks like they started living together sometime in 2023 so they should already qualify to submit the application, or be just around the corner from qualifying to apply. The sooner they submit the application, the better, so that the non-Canadian partner can get an open work permit and have the ability to legally work.

 

[YVR123]

Make sure they are aware they can apply as common law and don't need to be married to start the application process. Looks like they started living together sometime in 2023 so they should already qualify to submit the application, or be just around the corner from qualifying to apply. The sooner they submit the application, the better, so that the non-Canadian partner can get an open work permit and have the ability to legally work.

Are they even in Canada? Where are they?
btw if they are in financial difficulty, they don't need to have a $20K US wedding.
A $650 cake? Honeymoon and $1000 DJ for the party?

We had our wedding for $500. Got a free venue (a photo studio that's not booked on that day). An early afternoon wedding to save. I prepare the food (light snacks). I re-used a bridesmaid dress that I had as my wedding dress. I bought flowers and did my own bouquet, decorated tables with lemon, lime and pine cones. ....etc.
We had over 50 guests and it was amazing.

 

[SkyEarth]

Are they even in Canada? Where are they?
btw if they are in financial difficulty, they don't need to have a $20K US wedding.
A $650 cake? Honeymoon and $1000 DJ for the party?

We had our wedding for $500. Got a free venue (a photo studio that's not booked on that day). An early afternoon wedding to save. I prepare the food (light snacks). I re-used a bridesmaid dress that I had as my wedding dress. I bought flowers and did my own bouquet, decorated tables with lemon, lime and pine cones. ....etc.
We had over 50 guests and it was amazing.

They've been together in Canada, but not consistently. From my understanding, they aren't able to prove a common-law status with their current situation and will likely need an immigration lawyer's assistance. The financial hardship has made things very difficult with regard to their ability to physically be together, apply for immigration, or otherwise plan for the future.

To be clear, they are not asking for a $20k wedding. Someone else set up the GoFundMe with the intention of helping them have a nice wedding as a kind gesture. So although $20k is listed as the "goal", I doubt they intend to reach it. I also anticipate that my friend would be much more conservative with the funds than the campaign founder has implied and, should anything be raised through GoFundMe, I'm sure the platform probably gets a cut too, which might be inflating the requested funds -- though, don't quote me on that piece, because I'm just guessing.

I personally see the campaign as providing opportunity to a couple who have had an abundance of struggles (not just financial in nature) and would otherwise continue struggling with something that others among us in this immigration stream are fortunate enough to not have to fret or worry about in excess.

 

[Naturgrl]

They've been together in Canada, but not consistently. From my understanding, they aren't able to prove a common-law status with their current situation and will likely need an immigration lawyer's assistance. The financial hardship has made things very difficult with regard to their ability to physically be together, apply for immigration, or otherwise plan for the future.

To be clear, they are not asking for a $20k wedding. Someone else set up the GoFundMe with the intention of helping them have a nice wedding as a kind gesture. So although $20k is listed as the "goal", I doubt they intend to reach it. I also anticipate that my friend would be much more conservative with the funds than the campaign founder has implied and, should anything be raised through GoFundMe, I'm sure the platform probably gets a cut too, which might be inflating the requested funds -- though, don't quote me on that piece, because I'm just guessing.

I personally see the campaign as providing opportunity to a couple who have had an abundance of struggles (not just financial in nature) and would otherwise continue struggling with something that others among us in this immigration stream are fortunate enough to not have to fret or worry about in excess.

The page is to raise money for a wedding. It doesn’t say that any of that money will be used for anything but a wedding. The page says they are both unemployed but no money is being set aside for living expenses, medical etc.

 

[SkyEarth]

The page is to raise money for a wedding. It doesn’t say that any of that money will be used for anything but a wedding. The page says they are both unemployed but no money is being set aside for living expenses, medical etc.

We can agree to disagree.

As I said, I see this as a fund to provide opportunity because I empathize with the struggles that are outlined and I acknowledge how those might set someone back from being able to pursue their immigration. I don't necessarily agree with how the campaign founder has promoted this situation on my friend's behalf, however, I feel comfortable that anything given is going to be allocated according to the couple's priorities and not according to the vision of the campaign founder. There is nothing wrong though with wanting the best for someone else who has had a rough time of things, so I can't fault them for that.

 

[Naturgrl]

We can agree to disagree.

As I said, I see this as a fund to provide opportunity because I empathize with the struggles that are outlined and I acknowledge how those might set someone back from being able to pursue their immigration. I don't necessarily agree with how the campaign founder has promoted this situation on my friend's behalf, however, I feel comfortable that anything given is going to be allocated according to the couple's priorities and not according to the vision of the campaign founder. There is nothing wrong though with wanting the best for someone else who has had a rough time of things, so I can't fault them for that.

They are not going to raise money for a wedding and that is what the page Is about. We can disagree but your ideas about why we should give them money is not even mentioned. How much are you giving?

 

[scylla]

They've been together in Canada, but not consistently. From my understanding, they aren't able to prove a common-law status with their current situation and will likely need an immigration lawyer's assistance. The financial hardship has made things very difficult with regard to their ability to physically be together, apply for immigration, or otherwise plan for the future.

To be clear, they are not asking for a $20k wedding. Someone else set up the GoFundMe with the intention of helping them have a nice wedding as a kind gesture. So although $20k is listed as the "goal", I doubt they intend to reach it. I also anticipate that my friend would be much more conservative with the funds than the campaign founder has implied and, should anything be raised through GoFundMe, I'm sure the platform probably gets a cut too, which might be inflating the requested funds -- though, don't quote me on that piece, because I'm just guessing.

I personally see the campaign as providing opportunity to a couple who have had an abundance of struggles (not just financial in nature) and would otherwise continue struggling with something that others among us in this immigration stream are fortunate enough to not have to fret or worry about in excess.

Please tell them they don't need an immigration lawyer. Their case sounds extremely straight forward. A lawyer will be very expensive and a waste of money.

It sounds like they don't meet the common law requirements since they aren't living together continuously. The best solution is to do a quick court marriage so that they can submit the sponsorship application asap (assuming the priority is to be together). It's nice their friends are doing the GoFundMe and they can use this money to have a proper celebration afterwards.

I personally wouldn't hold off getting married and submitting the sponsorship application any longer than they already have but obviously a personal choice based on priorities.

Wishing them luck. At least they are free to travel to visit each other.

 

[SkyEarth]

They are not going to raise money for a wedding and that is what the page Is about. We can disagree but your ideas about why we should give them money is not even mentioned. How much are you giving?

I have given money to help my friend stay afloat with other things -- such as money for food and other living expenses. I am, personally, not able to help with this campaign at this time because I am tapped out right now (though I would like to give $500 in the future if I can), hence why I am doing what I can to assist for now by sharing the link.

I like to think the best of people and I figure there's really no harm in asking, but I definitely understand not everyone is able to or wants to donate (or share the link) and that's fine. If you aren't comfortable or able to give anything, please don't feel pressured to. I'm not trying to guilt or force anyone to support others. For me, it's enough that they need help (and of course, I know them, so naturally I'm biased in that way) and I am empathetic to the hardships they've experienced. That may not be worth the amount to you, and that's ok!

Please tell them they don't need an immigration lawyer. Their case sounds extremely straight forward. A lawyer will be very expensive and a waste of money.

I've discussed my personal experience with them (I went DIY) but they have some additional private concerns that I think would make their specific case less straight forward. Tbh an immigration lawyer is probably best for them so they don't waste additional money/time trying to DIY to then potentially get declined.

 

[armoured]

I've discussed my personal experience with them (I went DIY) but they have some additional private concerns that I think would make their specific case less straight forward. Tbh an immigration lawyer is probably best for them so they don't waste additional money/time trying to DIY to then potentially get declined.

You could point them in the direction of this forum where they can post anonymously. Many of us here are happy to help with advice that would likely save them the money for a lawyer.