Desperately looking for Advice

[gli_babe]

This is my first post and I am really not sure where to go. Let me explain. I am a Canadian, born and living in Quebec and have been in a long distance relationship for quite a while. Neither of us was able to move for financial reasons, however, my fiancé who is in France will be ready to come here in the next couple of months. He has worked there all his life, no trouble with the police of any kind and we are not sure where to go with this. I know that he can come here for 6 months to visit without a visa, but we are lost and trying to find out what our best options are to get him over here as soon as possible?

I am looking for advice as I have spent quite a while reading all about immigrating here and all the options available and I am just getting more and more confused and I don`t know where to go. He was just here for a quick visit and it gets harder and harder to see him go. Any advice is greatly appreciated. I apologize in advance for the noobie question, but, this is all completely new to me and I am just going around in circles.

 

[OhCanadiana]

This is my first post and I am really not sure where to go. Let me explain. I am a Canadian, born and living in Quebec and have been in a long distance relationship for quite a while. Neither of us was able to move for financial reasons, however, my fiancé who is in France will be ready to come here in the next couple of months. He has worked there all his life, no trouble with the police of any kind and we are not sure where to go with this. I know that he can come here for 6 months to visit without a visa, but we are lost and trying to find out what our best options are to get him over here as soon as possible?

I am looking for advice as I have spent quite a while reading all about immigrating here and all the options available and I am just getting more and more confused and I don`t know where to go. He was just here for a quick visit and it gets harder and harder to see him go. Any advice is greatly appreciated. I apologize in advance for the noobie question, but, this is all completely new to me and I am just going around in circles.

First, welcome

It sounds like you'll be able to apply for spousal sponsorship once you get married (while there are options to apply as common-law you are only eligible if you've been living together for a year and you aren't eligible for conjugal sponsorship since financial bars to living together aren't a 'sufficient' reason not to be in a common law relationship).

Take a look at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/index.asp?q=sponsorFam#sponsorFam for your options. Heuristically, it is best to apply outland so start there (faster, etc) and come back with questions.

There's many variables that would affect your situation - for more specific advice, it would help to know when you are planning to get married, why he will be able to go to Canada vs. before, and whether you could afford to have him live in Canada without working (he could go to Canada as a visitor and extend his stay but he can't work)

 

[gli_babe]

It sounds like you'll be able to apply for spousal sponsorship once you get married.

So this would be the best route to go? He doesn't want me to be financially responsible for him for a long time (I got royally screwed over by an ex common law boyfriend who took me to the cleaners) He wants to be able to come here and not have to wait forever to be allowed to work. I do make enough money to support us both that isn't a problem. If he does come here and we get married, does he have to go back after his 6 months are up? I'm completely clueless and no one I know has done anything like this.

 

[OhCanadiana]

So this would be the best route to go? He doesn't want me to be financially responsible for him for a long time (I got royally screwed over by an ex common law boyfriend who took me to the cleaners) He wants to be able to come here and not have to wait forever to be allowed to work. I do make enough money to support us both that isn't a problem. If he does come here and we get married, does he have to go back after his 6 months are up? I'm completely clueless and no one I know has done anything like this.

Got it. In terms of other options, it depends on his professional experience - there is a skilled worker category for folks in certain professions under which he can apply himself or he could get a job and they could sponsor him once they prove the need for a non-Canadian to fill the position. cic.gc.ca's main website outlines the various federal options.

If you want to explore all his options, check out the provincial programs - each province has their own programs under which they can nominate folks.

Should you decide on getting married and a spousal application, he could go to Canada and apply to extend his stay (usually the applications are approved when folks are in the process of applying for a visa). However, you would sign an undertaking committing you to 3 years.

There's plenty of folks here who can help and a wealth of knowledge but the details are dependent on the specifics of your situation and preferences. CIC also has really great instruction guides that take you step by step so you can do this, it will just take time and patience to read through the material (and later wait to hear back from CIC!)

 

[pinklady]

Like OhCanadiana said, he could come here for 6 months, then apply to extend his stay. This costs $75 and can be done online or by post. This way you could qualify as common law after 1 year of living together.
You can apply outland to Paris even when he is staying with you in Canada. Outland is usually much faster than inland anyway. He would not be able to work until he is granted PR. Paris is currently processing 80% of applications in 8 months - but it is usually faster than the time stated.
Otherwise you could get married then apply as spouses. The process is the same whether applying as common law or married couple, except for a few more proofs required for common law.

Also you do have to sign an agreement stating you are responsible for him for 3 years after he obtains PR status. Meaning if he decides to claim benefits, you are responsible for paying the money back to the government.

You could also think about getting married sooner than you'd originally planned, then having a big ceremony or whatever later on.

The skilled worker program, or PNP are probably not the best options for you. If you want to be toegther soon, sponsorship is the way to go.

Hope that helps.

 

[gli_babe]

OhCanadiana, honestly, I'll give you some background, I'm an online gamer, I play on a French server so I talk with a lot of people in France. I've known him for 2 years and was rather reluctant to get in to anything because of my last relationship. Anywho, we talked all the time and ended up web caming and spending hours on msn just talking and I eventually went to visit him last year where we flipped for each other. He had a few debts that he wanted to clear up before moving here which is why we've waited, but on his last visit to me he almost missed his flight back because we just couldn't let go. He was just about to go through security when he turned around and shouted out asking me to marry him lol He is going to stick around in France a couple of months still as he doesn`t want to come here empty handed (which I totally appreciate) and then he wants to come here. Sure I`ve had dreams of the perfect wedding, but, I honestly, don`t care, I`d marry him the second he gets off the plane if I have to. Sorry don't mean to be all sentimental but he left yesterday so it`s all soo fresh!

 

[OhCanadiana]

OhCanadiana, honestly, I'll give you some background, I'm an online gamer, I play on a French server so I talk with a lot of people in France. I've known him for 2 years and was rather reluctant to get in to anything because of my last relationship. Anywho, we talked all the time and ended up web caming and spending hours on msn just talking and I eventually went to visit him last year where we flipped for each other. He had a few debts that he wanted to clear up before moving here which is why we've waited, but on his last visit to me he almost missed his flight back because we just couldn't let go. He was just about to go through security when he turned around and shouted out asking me to marry him lol He is going to stick around in France a couple of months still as he doesn`t want to come here empty handed (which I totally appreciate) and then he wants to come here. Sure I`ve had dreams of the perfect wedding, but, I honestly, don`t care, I`d marry him the second he gets off the plane if I have to. Sorry don't mean to be all sentimental but he left yesterday so it`s all soo fresh!

There's a lot of gamer couples on here so you're in good company. You don't share his profession so I can't help you determine his eligibility for re skilled worker - you can check http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/complete-applications.asp to see if he's eligible.

If you are going to pursue spousal sponsorship, given the development of your relationship your biggest challenge is going to be to prove the development of your relationship since you don't have a bunch of pictures, etc. So for now keep copies of your e-mails to each other and any other commmunication you may have and read through the instructions. It takes a while to put the application together so you could also start working on it (and planning your wedding - how exciting!!! It sounds like he's not arriving back tomorrow so you have time to plan ) Only you and your fiance can decide if you are comfortable signing the undertaking given your history.

 

[gli_babe]

Ooops my bad, I should have mentioned he is a painter and has been painting for 20 years doing home renovations and small businesses working for a very well respected company in Northern France. I do have pictures from all the times we've been together and written proof, phone records and such as well as all of our online conversations since I was smart for once and didn't delete anything just in case things developed Honestly, last place I thought I'd find my soul mate was in a game!

 

[OhCanadiana]

Ooops my bad, I should have mentioned he is a painter and has been painting for 20 years doing home renovations and small businesses working for a very well respected company in Northern France. I do have pictures from all the times we've been together and written proof, phone records and such as well as all of our online conversations since I was smart for once and didn't delete anything just in case things developed Honestly, last place I thought I'd find my soul mate was in a game!

Great news that you kept everything - that will be super helpful as you fill out the application

The bad news is that painters are not on the skilled worker list currently active. The closest NOC (occupation code) would be carpentry (details below) so unless there is a Quebec provincial program, spousal sponsorship would be your best bet.

Once you get married, he could stay in France while the application is processed (would save him a trip if an interview is required during the application process). So, it sounds like if you choose to proceed you should start planning your wedding - big, small ... your choice!) and working on the application (keep collecting stuff to submit!)

Good luck and keep the questions coming! Before long, you'll be answering others' questions.

7271 - Carpenters

Carpenters construct, erect, install, maintain and repair structures and components of structures made of wood, wood substitutes, lightweight steel and other materials.

Tasks

Read and interpret blueprints, drawings and sketches to determine specifications and calculate requirements
Prepare layouts in conformance to building codes, using measuring tools
Measure, cut, shape, assemble and join materials made of wood, wood substitutes, lightweight steel and other materials
Build foundations, install floor beams, lay subflooring and erect walls and roof systems
Fit and install trim items, such as doors, stairs, moulding and hardware
Maintain, repair and renovate residences and wooden structures in mills, mines, hospitals, industrial plants and other establishments
Supervise apprentices and other construction workers
May prepare cost estimates for clients.

 

[gli_babe]

Ya I don't think the skilled worker thing would work either although I know he can do the carpentry stuff from what I know of his past work, it isn't what he is certified in.

For the sponsorship form, I am completely confused. I`ve seen a couple of forms out there and I am not sure which one we would be filling out? He does intend to come here to get married and all of that but I`ve seen a form for within Canada one from outside of Canada and I have no clue? I guess since it`s quicker to process via Paris, we'd be going that route

 

[CharlieD10]

Outland (via Paris) is definitely the way to go. See the forms here for sponsoring a spouse/common-law partner: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/fc.asp

Get familiar with them, read the guide, get an idea of what other documentation you will need.

 

[gli_babe]

Thanks again! I'm going to print this all out and take some quiet time to read it all. I just can't seem to concentrate on anything! Too many things going through my brain sheesh!

Question though, are there a lot of rejections? I'm in a bit freaked out. We were planning on getting married because well we are soul mates and we want to get married and it is important for me to not have a child out of wedlock so I'm all for getting married sooner if needed like I said.

I suppose I could always get my dual citizenship as a Portuguese citizen worst case scenario if it does get rejected but we'd very much prefer if he were to move here. I've seen how long it has taken for friends to get their dual citizenship and it's taken a very very long time to get it all done.

 

[canadianwoman]

There aren't many rejections for applicants from Western countries. Sometimes there are 'red flags' which might cause a rejection or at least delay processing, but most can be explained: things like a huge age difference, very different backgrounds, lack of knowledge of each other at interview.

 

[Deficient]

Is he under 35? Perhaps IEC might be an option for him, as it would allow him to work in Canada in the meantime while the spousal sponsorship application was processing, which would get around the problem of him not wanting to be 'a burden' on you financially.

http://www.international.gc.ca/experience/intro_incoming-intro_entrant.aspx?view=d

 

[Isometry]

OhCanadiana, honestly, I'll give you some background, I'm an online gamer, I play on a French server so I talk with a lot of people in France. I've known him for 2 years and was rather reluctant to get in to anything because of my last relationship. Anywho, we talked all the time and ended up web caming and spending hours on msn just talking and I eventually went to visit him last year where we flipped for each other.

Hello, gamer buddy! ::highfive::

He was just about to go through security when he turned around and shouted out asking me to marry him

This is adorable.

Question though, are there a lot of rejections? I'm in a bit freaked out. We were planning on getting married because well we are soul mates and we want to get married and it is important for me to not have a child out of wedlock so I'm all for getting married sooner if needed like I said.

I suppose I could always get my dual citizenship as a Portuguese citizen worst case scenario if it does get rejected but we'd very much prefer if he were to move here. I've seen how long it has taken for friends to get their dual citizenship and it's taken a very very long time to get it all done.

There are not a lot of rejections from France, especially since you're genuine and have kept everything, which should make it really easy to show how the relationship developed.

Why not apply for your Portuguese citizenship anyway? That way, if you decide you want to move to France or something ten years down the line, the option's open.