british citizen, canadian citizen..baby on the way

[bear5150ca]

ok....so I have been engaged to a man from England for 3 years and I am a canadian citizen...we have lived together in Canada a few times...once for 2 years solid..but having to extend visitors permits...and the lack of employers willing to do the paperwork required for a work visa...he has returned to the UK now to earn money for our new baby...due September of this year (2008). I am on un-employement and realize that sponsoring him is out due to this fact. We are not legally married yet, but as he is planning to come to Canada in June..we will be getting married then. My question is..is there any way for him to get any kind of permanent residence as a spouse and a father to a canadian child? or do we have to continue the fight to get work visas so we can be a family, I find Canada's immigration a bit odd, considering they allowed spouses in England quite easily...apply for a marriage visa...prove your relationship, get married in 6 months, and get your permanent residence.....but we would rather live in Canada as opposed to us moving to the UK...any help would be appreciated.

[PMM]

Hi

ok....so I have been engaged to a man from England for 3 years and I am a canadian citizen...we have lived together in Canada a few times...once for 2 years solid..but having to extend visitors permits...and the lack of employers willing to do the paperwork required for a work visa...he has returned to the UK now to earn money for our new baby...due September of this year (2008). I am on un-employement and realize that sponsoring him is out due to this fact. We are not legally married yet, but as he is planning to come to Canada in June..we will be getting married then. My question is..is there any way for him to get any kind of permanent residence as a spouse and a father to a canadian child? or do we have to continue the fight to get work visas so we can be a family, I find Canada's immigration a bit odd, considering they allowed spouses in England quite easily...apply for a marriage visa...prove your relationship, get married in 6 months, and get your permanent residence.....but we would rather live in Canada as opposed to us moving to the UK...any help would be appreciated.

1.  Well I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you had been living in a c/law relationship for more that a year (which you state you have) you could have sponsored him when you were living together, but that is water under the bridge.
2.  Once you are married, you can submit a sponsorship application for him and he a Immigration application see: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/fc.asp
3.  You should note that you can process the application through London although he would be living in Canada,  but if an interview was required, it would be in London. processing time 43 days at Mississauga and 3-9 months at London.  If the application was processed through Vegreville as an in-Canada spousal application, he would be allowed to work until he receives Approval in Principle about 4-5 months into the process.
4.  Don't forget that he should get the required Police Certificates before he leaves the UK, much faster.

PMM
4.  He will not be allowed to work until he receives his PR status,

[bear5150ca]

thanks for the answer...only a few things...as far as I can tell, I cant sponsor him, due to the fact I am on un-employment, from what I can see the only "government" funding you can be on is disability, also don't you have to a pretty substantial amount of money in the bank as well??

And just to be clear....we can do this in Canada as well?? we don't have to do this in England? reason being he has already booked his flight for the end of June as he wants to be with me the last few months of the pregnancy....maybe he should get a criminal record check and medical done before he leaves??


Again thanks for your help..

[PMM]

Hi

thanks for the answer...only a few things...as far as I can tell, I cant sponsor him, due to the fact I am on un-employment, from what I can see the only "government" funding you can be on is disability, also don't you have to a pretty substantial amount of money in the bank as well??

And just to be clear....we can do this in Canada as well?? we don't have to do this in England? reason being he has already booked his flight for the end of June as he wants to be with me the last few months of the pregnancy....maybe he should get a criminal record check and medical done before he leaves??


Again thanks for your help..

1,  You state that you are collecting EI, as long as you are not collecting Welfare (EI is not welfare) you can sponsor.  No you don't require funds in the bank.
2.  Good idea, although the criminal record check is valid for either 3 or 6 months depending on the office, the medical would be cheaper in Canada.

PMM

[bear5150ca]

again...thanks for answer...I really appreciate it, just scary not knowing whats going to happen..especially with a new baby on the way!!
So, I guess the next step is to start this whole thing....wow...here we go!!!!


Thanks PMM

[skokica]

You need proof of funds, otherwise you are treated as bad sponsor. I was on Canadian Consulate talking to people working with that thing, and they said me not to do anything as long as your boyfriend/husband doesn't have regular income, because there is big chance of refusing your application. For 2 people in family you need around 20 000 CAD, if there is 3 of you then you have to count on approximately 35 000 CAD a year. It is better for him to get job there and work under work permit or wait a little longer so that you will be able to sponsor him. Can't he enter Canada under skilled visa? Skilled visa process is faster than family sponsorship.

And about criminal and medical record. He has to do it in England, because when you put application in they send you all stuff about where do you have to go to do it.

[GK]

I disagree...

To sponsor your spouse you don't need an income - just prove you're not on welfare or bankrupt. To sponsor dependent children, yes you do need to meet minimum income requirements. My sponsor had no incaome and application was approved within 2 weeks. 

PR through skilled worker may take years versus family class which only takes a few months

Medical exam can be done anywhere and police records from England can be ordered from anywhere - may just take a little longer

[bear5150ca]

I'm bloody confused...lol, why immigration has to be so complicated is beyond me....just to add to this, he will be leaving to come to Canada at the end of this month...I am on um-employment right now as were expecting a baby in September..and my previous job was far too risky to continue past 5 months...so I get about 1100 a month...have about 10,000 in the bank, live with mom as rent is too much to move out right now, I have a three year old daughter from a previous relationship (not relevant to this case I dont think...other than the fact my fiancee is the only dad she knows and has as bio dad has removed himself from her life) what else....oh, he lived here for 2 years...trying to get a work permit..no one would bother to do the paperwork..even the bigger companies such as Pepsi and Walmart...he is not what is considered a skilled worker...his previous employment in England was at Heathrow airport building aircraft pallets and driving a forktruck...so he does have high level airport security clearance, but going through the skilled worker checklist he falls quite a few points short of qualifying...I am so frustrated with all of this, he just wants to come here and work hard so he can be with and support his family?? Is that so much to ask?? I have given up on the work visa thing as we seem to hit walls all over the place with that one, so I thought sponsorship may be a good option...