Biggest Mistakes To Avoid

[epmarshall]

Hi all,

I'm from the US looking to have my boyfriend sponsor me so I can come to Canada. We haven't fully decided whether we will be going for common law or spouse sponsorship yet. I've been researching for a few months now trying to plan and do things correctly.

During my short time researching, I've seen the horror stories where people don't declare their spouse on their application and it messes up their family class application. Obviously, we all want to avoid such things happening so I was just wondering what things to look out for at the start of this entire process.

I don't fully understand the mistake mentioned above, so it'd be great if someone could explain that in further detail as well. I've only just heard about it some. The only big mistake I know of right now that I can contribute is to always use correct language at the border. I've had border issues that could have been avoided if I'd known to use the correct terminology (use terms like visiting and don't say you're going to "live" there while waiting for PR).

Thanks in advance for the information!

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Hi

The mistake you are referring to is when a person immigrates to Canada and doesn't declare their spouse/common-law partner on their immigration app. You haven't stated your partner's status in Canada but as you are neither married nor common-law, this situation cannot apply to you even if your partner recently immigrated to Canada.

 

[epmarshall]

Hi and thanks for replying. So if my boyfriend is already a Canadian citizen this won't ever really apply to me?

 

[bigredmoose]

Hi and thanks for replying. So if my boyfriend is already a Canadian citizen this won't ever really apply to me?

Not necessarily, citizenship is irrelevant. If he immigrated to Canada while you were married or common-law and he didn't declare the relationship then he will not ever be able to sponsor you under the family class.

If he never immigrated here (ie, born in Canada or attained citizenship at birth) then you have nothing to worry about.

 

[epmarshall]

He was born in Canada so that should be okay. Thanks!

 

[LittleDermo]

The terminology at the border is always a big one! They will try and trip you up too so look out for that. Every time I have crossed with my husband they will ask "and how long have you been living in Canada?" I ALWAYS correct them and say I'm just visiting and I've been visiting since such date. Never let them trick you into it because they will try.