Within Canada Application.

[Masonb6888]

Hi all!
I'm really happy I found this site. we've been stressing over our story.
I'm from the states and he's from BC. We met on an online app. dated for a month or two without ever seeing on another and then decided to be friends. I was a student in the states and working. I came across some time off about 6 months later and decided to drive over after getting my passport since It was only 3-4 hours. We met at his friends cabin and it was love at first site. I climbed out of my car watching him walk up and knew that this was the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. The best part was... I knew him.
Long story short. We fell in love within the first 3 days of physically being in one another presence. I remember when I had to go I was bawling in the car and he was holding me telling me everything would work out. I came back about a month later and went to visit UVIC. I decided to apply, got in. Our relation officially started ( I asked him to be my boyfriend) July 2015. I had known him personally for 8 months at that point.
I applied for my student visa and got a 4 year one.
I'm living in Canada under a visa. We just celebrated our 6 month anniversary (not long; I know, but we're looking forward to one year) :]

Today we looked up processing times for sponsor ship and it says 25 months!!!
is this true?
I've been reading about how we need to PROVE our relationship. We're not over confident, but we've already traveled to three different large cities, two by car and one by plane. taken pictures. we have a shared bank account. we're in this.
I'm much more of a stress ball and am freaking out over the time line and what exactly I need to do.
I'm mostly looking for some guidance. I'm a little lost..
Where do we start?
What do we say?
we want common law so we don't have to take the romance out of our relationship by forcing marriage early. We both see marriage as an option, but we want to do it the same way two naturally born Canadians would.
We've defiantly been saving proof. (I actually made him take a picture of us making dinner together tonight.)
we have some loves notes, and some pictures/proof of us taking the ferry from island- island just to see one another.
I know both of our families would be MORE than willing to say what they know and think of our relationship.
If it makes any difference we are a same-sex gay couple. I came out to the world for him.
Help?

 

[krishnalynn]

The inside Canada (inland) processing times are a few years. Outland for Americans will probably be about 6-12 months (as early as 4), that's what most of us choose to do because it's much faster. You can do outland even while in Canada, especially if you already have a valid student visa for awhile.

While family notes and pictures are important, the most important is your proof of living together. Joint lease, joint name on bills, each other as beneficiaries, etc. Make sure you get as much of this as possible, this is the toughest part of common law. Other than that, take a look through this forum and maybe take a peek at the forms for sponsorship online. You're living together now though, correct?

Common law sponsorship is mainly a few big things:
Lots of forms and government paperwork (police certificates, medical exams, etc)
Proof of living together (see what you can gather here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=347&t=14)
Proof of a genuine relationship

Worry about the last two for now, the forms and application process will come when you're closer to being 1 year living together.

 

[Masonb6888]

We have been living together now for 2 months. We have the proof of it too.
We're saving all our joint recipes. We're taking the pictures. So far we have plenty from christmas and me meeting all his family.
Him meeting my family. (in california.)
Can we apply early?
Possibly after living together for 8 months? since it would take 4-12 months to process?
Would I be allowed to leave canada to go home for a visit and return if we did apply?
I'm worried about leaving and not being able to return.

Thank you for this response. It really calmed my nerves reading this..

If anyone else can add anything, it'd be greatly appreciated.

 

[krishnalynn]

We have been living together now for 2 months. We have the proof of it too.
We're saving all our joint recipes. We're taking the pictures. So far we have plenty from christmas and me meeting all his family.
Him meeting my family. (in california.)
Can we apply early?
Possibly after living together for 8 months? since it would take 4-12 months to process?
Would I be allowed to leave canada to go home for a visit and return if we did apply?
I'm worried about leaving and not being able to return.

Thank you for this response. It really calmed my nerves reading this..

If anyone else can add anything, it'd be greatly appreciated.

The family evidence is really good. I submitted a lot of Christmas pictures and personal letters from family too. Joint receipts for household goods or dates are great too. You can also save important mail that comes to your addresses to scan and include. Since you're starting now to collect evidence you shouldn't have a problem.

Nope, you have to apply when you hit the 12 months exactly unfortunately no exceptions. However, it takes forever to get all the documents (it took me a few months) so you can do the forms early and just have everything ready to go and send when you are officially common-law. Just check to make sure your forms are current before you send them off. Apply for your USA FBI Clearance 4 months in advance, that one document is taking forever lately and is holding up a lot of people. Medicals you should do the last month or so before you send it in since they're expensive and expire.

If you apply outland, you will be able to come and go especially since you already have a student visa. Of course, you can technically be rejected any time you cross but if you have a reason to be here (school) and a valid visa there's no reason not to let you in. Be honest always, of course. It still makes me nervous though but I come and go a lot. If you did inland, it is not recommended to come and go and you should plan to stay in Canada for a few years.

 

[Masonb6888]

Thank you so much for that response. If I do outland. will there be ANY issues with me living inside Canada as my main home?

What exactly is the USA FBI investigation?

 

[krishnalynn]

Thank you so much for that response. If I do outland. will there be ANY issues with me living inside Canada as my main home?

What exactly is the USA FBI investigation?

Nope, no issues. I'm doing outland here and I've been living in Canada since 2014. Just follow the rules for your visa.

This is a document you are requested to provide to CIC. It's the same thing as a "police check" you hear people on here mentioning.

Instructions are here:
https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks

 

[Pat100]

Hello Everyone,

I need some guidance on this matter.

I applied inland to sponsor my spouse, however, we currently do not live together due to his job arrangement; He lives and work in a group home with adults with disabilities. We explained this on the application form. I was wondering if our application would be refused or delayed because of this situation? His closed work permit expires May, 2016. An OWP was also submitted.

Your advice is very much appreciated.

 

[MilesAway]

I expect you may run into some problems, because one of the key things with an inland application is that the sponsor and spouse must live together. You do not live together.