sfp123 said:
Just thought I should chime in here with my first post. My partner (same gender) and I are just starting the process of applying for her to get a PR as my spouse. Holy schmoley it's overwhelming! I have been living in the US for 4 years, and was trying to find a way to stay here for a couple more years so she could keep her great job for longer before we moved. Alas, I wasn't able to get sponsored for a work visa, and so we have decided to just come to Canada (which we were going to do eventually anyway). At least Canada will recognize our relationship! Unfortunately I have to leave the country by November, but obviously she won't be approved yet, so we are facing some time apart, which neither of us is happy about. I know she could come to Canada as a visitor but really we can't afford for her not to be working.
I assume your partner is a US Citizen. If she can qualify for a NAFTA position, she could look for work in Canada - it doesn't require the employer do anything other than provide a job description and an offer. As long as the job itself qualifies under NAFTA and she has the skills necessary for the job, she takes the job description, offer letter, evidence she has the necessary qualifications, work permit application, two photos, and $150 to a POE and picks up her work permit. Then she has legal status in Canada to work and you can be together.
sfp123 said:
I am wondering how long it takes most couples to complete the whole application for filing. Anyone want to chime in with what to expect? Is it realistic to think that you can assemble it all, start to finish, and mail it off within a month? (I know it depends on how much time you have to put into it, but I'm still interested to hear what other couples have found.)
The most time-consuming thing is the FBI clearance letter. It can require up to 4 months to obtain. What you might consider doing is obtaining an FBI channeler letter (which takes a few days) and submit that with your application while you get the real FBI clearance letter (on tamper-proof paper, no less) and forward it once you have your file number.
Other than that, it may depend upon how much you are willing to spend - I obtained a certified copy of our marriage certificate in two days by paying an extra $10, which I considered to be a bargain versus the normal 3-4 weeks they quoted. But go through and make a list of everything you will need to request and start requesting it. When you have everything else (birth certificates, prior marriage/divorce certificates, police clearance certificates) get the immigration physical because that is only good for 12 months. Police certificates must have been issued within the past 3 months.
sfp123 said:
I am also wondering how to know when you have enough "proof". I have seen lists of what people submit on here... you all are extremely thorough!! I can understanding the feeling of "better safe than sorry" when it comes to submitting documentation, but I am wondering at what point it is actually just overkill. Do you know what I mean? Do they really need/want hundreds of photos and emails and letters and bank statements, or what? How common is it for legitimate relationships to get denied?
The way I try to approach it is to look at the story the evidence tells - does it show your relationship? Will someone in Ottawa or LA looking at your file look at it and deem that you are a genuine couple? If it does, then you're done. It's not about quantity, it's about quality - about the story it tells.
Good luck!
