We are starting our process. Tips would be appreciated

[carolbb23]

None of this addresses the 10 year illegal overstay

Oh boy that's a lot of staying out of status

 

[canuck_in_uk]

An overstay is not a reason for refusal in a sponsorship app, regardless of the length. There are many people who have been successfully sponsored after many years out of status.

Yes, there will more scrutiny of the relationship but if they have solid proof of a 1.5 year relationship, it should be fine.

It is possible that the app will trigger removal proceedings but also quite possible that it won't. Even if it does, the majority of the time, the removal is put on hold pending the outcome of the sponsorship app.

At this point, a lawyer can't really do anything to help.

 

[Oldmacwright]

I have read cases here of people being out of status for 7 years or so and getting approved (and was also on CBSA's radar), though I think was in a relationship with the Sponsor prior to falling out of status, think her name was @VioletBlue . My wife was out of status for a couple of years before we applied for PR and she got approved quickly (11 months), though again we were in a relationship about 5 years prior to that and married for a couple of years before she fell out of status (long story which I have posted about here before). So the reason your app would face extra scrutiny is the PA being out of status for a long time and the relationship being fairly new would be a red flag and I guess they may suspect illegal work being here so long without status.