Don't know if there's still any old folks from 2011 sticking around here, but if so, "hi - we're back", and "hi" to all the new folks here.
It's been a long hiatus (2.5 months) I know - sorry. However, things went crazy for awhile and then we were really busy and it's just starting to settle down, so I haven't felt able to write until now. Now that I've got time/piece of mind, here's our update, if it's any help/consolation to others...
So here's the deal: my partner had an interview on Feb 22, 2012 at CHC-ND...
The interview was a mess - we had applied common-law but at the interview the officer spent the whole time lecturing my partner about why he felt we didn't meet the definition (mostly rubbish - we feel he was just biased against us/common-law for some reason, and the definition is vague enough that the officers can find enough evidence to justify whatever decision they make). Anyway, after an hour of interrogation (always professional, never angry, but clearly not listening to any response she gave, and acting in a totally unemotional, unsympathetic and aloof manner) and asking for ridiculous documents no one would ever have (and he knew we didn't - a lease agreement from my parents when we stayed with them for 4 months in Canada for example!), he told my partner that the application was rejected, gave her the passport back, and that was it.
We got official letters from CIC/CHC-ND within a week or so informing us of the decision and our appeal options.
However, after talking to a couple of lawyers, we got married and instead are going to reapply as married couple (didn't do it before because we already qualified as common-law and wanted to save the wedding/celebration for when we actually arrive/settle into Canada). We feel that it's a lot safer and faster than trying to appeal. We're going through all the documentation again and hopefully will submit a new application within a few weeks. This one had better work!
It was a real shock (we'd thought about all kinds of scenarios but had never considered rejection because we are 100% legit), it's caused us to have to delay plans for going to Canada by about a year, and will end up costing lost more money (a second application, lawyer's fees etc) but now that the immediate situation is passed, it's not such a big deal anymore - we've got a plan going forward on what we'll do for this year in India (and it will be good), and how we're going to reapply, so it's turned out OK in the end. I really wish it hadn't happened this way, but we don't regret anything and will be able to look back on it without too many hard feelings I think.
If anyone has been through a similar situation or has interview questions, message me and I'll tell you what I know. Basically the primary rule still applies, there is almost no communication from CHC-ND and they are extremely inflexible, but things usually come through at the last minute. Good luck to all!
