New Forms and Pregnancy

[akayalto1]

Hi Everyone,
After reviewing and starting to fill out the new forms, I see that they now ask if one of us is pregnant, Question 10 in IMM5532E.pdf. I don't remember seeing this in the old forms, but either way the reason I would like more advice and information on this is if....... getting pregnant before you apply could be an issue, or could jeopardise the application, OR being due during the application would potentially speed up the process.

We are flying to Canada from Italy at the end of the December, I am Canadian by birth and live in Canada, and my partner is Italian, who is coming on an ETa. We have a flight booked back to Italy for her, so as to not get stopped at the border entering. We are planning to be married in Canada early in the new year and then submit the PR application. She is pregnant and due in May. We don't plan to have hospital birth, and are fully aware that she will not have OHIP.

Any information or advice, regarding this would be really helpful, especially if it pertains to the new application process. I think that maybe this won't been known until we've gone through it, but it can't help but to ask. Also, if it was a big deal, then we could still rush everything and apply under the old system, if that would make a difference.

Hoping to get some reassuring advice and clarification from this forum. Thanks.

 

[profiler]

Hi Everyone,
After reviewing and starting to fill out the new forms, I see that they now ask if one of us is pregnant, Question 10 in IMM5532E.pdf. I don't remember seeing this in the old forms, but either way the reason I would like more advice and information on this is if....... getting pregnant before you apply could be an issue, or could jeopardise the application, OR being due during the application would potentially speed up the process.

We are flying to Canada from Italy at the end of the December, I am Canadian by birth and live in Canada, and my partner is Italian, who is coming on an ETa. We have a flight booked back to Italy for her, so as to not get stopped at the border entering. We are planning to be married in Canada early in the new year and then submit the PR application. She is pregnant and due in May. We don't plan to have hospital birth, and are fully aware that she will not have OHIP.

Any information or advice, regarding this would be really helpful, especially if it pertains to the new application process. I think that maybe this won't been known until we've gone through it, but it can't help but to ask. Also, if it was a big deal, then we could still rush everything and apply under the old system, if that would make a difference.

Hoping to get some reassuring advice and clarification from this forum. Thanks.

You can submit the old forms until January 15th 2017 or something like that. How far along the paperwork are you? If not far, you might want to try the new ones. If you are far along, then just submit the old.

 

[akayalto1]

You can submit the old forms until January 15th 2017 or something like that. How far along the paperwork are you? If not far, you might want to try the new ones. If you are far along, then just submit the old.

I started filling out the old forms, but didn't complete them as I learned that the new ones were coming out. I have now filled out half of the new forms. The main concerns I have are:
1) The fact of my wife to be being pregnant and how that may or may not affect the application
2) The channel I should choose in the new model. She will be 'living' with me in Canada, but only here as a 'visitor', so I feel like it may be better to go the Family Class, especially because we will have only started to stay in Canada for a couple months before applying.

 

[profiler]

I started filling out the old forms, but didn't complete them as I learned that the new ones were coming out. I have now filled out half of the new forms. The main concerns I have are:
1) The fact of my wife to be being pregnant and how that may or may not affect the application
2) The channel I should choose in the new model. She will be 'living' with me in Canada, but only here as a 'visitor', so I feel like it may be better to go the Family Class, especially because we will have only started to stay in Canada for a couple months before applying.

1/ It only strengthens your application. In fact, it even reduces the amount of proof they want up front. However, it may mean that the medical is delayed (as before) due to delayed x-ray.
2/ You can choose either Family class (not eligible to apply for OWP), or Spouse or Common-Law Partner In Canada (if she wants the OWP). Processing times are now supposed to be 12 months or less for either class.

 

[akayalto1]

1/ It only strengthens your application. In fact, it even reduces the amount of proof they want up front. However, it may mean that the medical is delayed (as before) due to delayed x-ray.
2/ You can choose either Family class (not eligible to apply for OWP), or Spouse or Common-Law Partner In Canada (if she wants the OWP). Processing times are now supposed to be 12 months or less for either class.

Thanks for the help on the pregnancy point. Glad to know that it strengthens our application. Should I clarify the story around that point and why we are coming to Canada in Question 11 in IMM5532E.pdf?

As for the two class, do either ask for more specific forms than the other, especially regarding accounts and money? As we are from different countries, and will have only been 'living' together for a couple months in Canada, I don't think that we will have any proof of joint accounts or things with both our names on it.

I'm still going through all the forms right now and filling them out, so if I find anything, I will also try to further clarify my questions. Thx.

 

[profiler]

As for the two class, do either ask for more specific forms than the other, especially regarding accounts and money? As we are from different countries, and will have only been 'living' together for a couple months in Canada, I don't think that we will have any proof of joint accounts or things with both our names on it.

If you have resided together for a year anywhere, and you can prove that, then there is no need to be concerned about cohabitation (for Common-Law applications). If you plan to marry, why not do this before submitting your application? There is no real difference in the sponsorship requirements for financial documentation. That said, there is no low income cut off for spousal sponsorship applications. So they just need to see that you have means to support yourselves in Canada without requiring Social Assistance.

 

[akayalto1]

If you have resided together for a year anywhere, and you can prove that, then there is no need to be concerned about cohabitation (for Common-Law applications). If you plan to marry, why not do this before submitting your application? There is no real difference in the sponsorship requirements for financial documentation. That said, there is no low income cut off for spousal sponsorship applications. So they just need to see that you have means to support yourselves in Canada without requiring Social Assistance.

Yes, we absolutely plan to marry in Canada after we arrive, and then submit the application. I did notice that it asks who was at the ceremony, which basically they are all 'no' as we plan to have a very small intimate wedding, with plans for a larger celebration later with both of our families. Hope this doesn't make too much of a difference and you get the chance to explain why...

We have been together for the past year, but 6 months was in India, then 5 in Italy, and coming up a few in Canada. So it may be hard to prove any of these with documents...but as you said, if we are married then I assume that we don't need that kind of documentation proof the Common-law does.

As for supporting myself in Canada, I assume that they judge that from the employment information that I give them; most of which is either a) self employed free lance work or b) studies in India on scholarship. I assume that they could ask for more details or clarification on these points.

 

[profiler]

Yes, we absolutely plan to marry in Canada after we arrive, and then submit the application. I did notice that it asks who was at the ceremony, which basically they are all 'no' as we plan to have a very small intimate wedding, with plans for a larger celebration later with both of our families. Hope this doesn't make too much of a difference and you get the chance to explain why...

We have been together for the past year, but 6 months was in India, then 5 in Italy, and coming up a few in Canada. So it may be hard to prove any of these with documents...but as you said, if we are married then I assume that we don't need that kind of documentation proof the Common-law does.

As for supporting myself in Canada, I assume that they judge that from the employment information that I give them; most of which is either a) self employed free lance work or b) studies in India on scholarship. I assume that they could ask for more details or clarification on these points.

Yes, they will definitely ask for more proof if they want it.

As for the smaller wedding + larger wedding later, we did the same. It's not abnormal.

 

[akayalto1]

Yes, they will definitely ask for more proof if they want it.

As for the smaller wedding + larger wedding later, we did the same. It's not abnormal.

Thanks for your help profiler!!
I noticed that on the section of the page 6 IMM5533E.pdf, under the proof of relationship, in the second section, as I could not answer yes to all the first questions, it asks for 1 of at least 3 of the following.
-joint ownership...or residential
-joint utilities
-important documents with both our names on it.
-important documents that show that each other are recognized as spouses. ie employment or insurance benefits
-Documentary evidence of financial support between the two of us
-other proof the relationship is recognised by friends or family. ie social media info or letters.

As for obtaining 3 of these....for sure we can do the last one. I know that after we are married I can add her to my bank account, so that would hopefully count as another, but beyond that I don't know what else I could obtain.

If we are not 'living' together and she is just 'visiting' me here in Canada, how are we supposed to have some of these things? She 'lives' officially in Italy, and I 'live' officially in Canada.

Any ideas of what's the best plan of action?

 

[profiler]

Thanks for your help profiler!!
I noticed that on the section of the page 6 IMM5533E.pdf, under the proof of relationship, in the second section, as I could not answer yes to all the first questions, it asks for 1 of at least 3 of the following.
-joint ownership...or residential
-joint utilities
-important documents with both our names on it.
-important documents that show that each other are recognized as spouses. ie employment or insurance benefits
-Documentary evidence of financial support between the two of us
-other proof the relationship is recognised by friends or family. ie social media info or letters.

As for obtaining 3 of these....for sure we can do the last one. I know that after we are married I can add her to my bank account, so that would hopefully count as another, but beyond that I don't know what else I could obtain.

If we are not 'living' together and she is just 'visiting' me here in Canada, how are we supposed to have some of these things? She 'lives' officially in Italy, and I 'live' officially in Canada.

Any ideas of what's the best plan of action?

Does she drive? If so, get her a DL. When you become employed, can you add her to benefits? etc. Sounds like you're pretty close

 

[akayalto1]

Does she drive? If so, get her a DL. When you become employed, can you add her to benefits? etc. Sounds like you're pretty close

There isn't an exchange program for Licenses with Italy, so she'd have to go through a pretty lengthy process to get one....would rather her just use her own with an International Drivers License for driving...

We are planning to rent a place just after we arrive and before we apply, so hopefully we can both be on the agreement. Then that would count as one as well.

I'm self employed, no employer or benefits So no chance there.

 

[profiler]

There isn't an exchange program for Licenses with Italy, so she'd have to go through a pretty lengthy process to get one....would rather her just use her own with an International Drivers License for driving...

We are planning to rent a place just after we arrive and before we apply, so hopefully we can both be on the agreement. Then that would count as one as well.

I'm self employed, no employer or benefits So no chance there.

Not sure what else to suggest. Make sure she is on that agreement. Any life insurance policies, etc. You can also try to submit what you have, and see what CIC suggests they want (if they want it -- you have a child together on the way, so it's hard to say what they will do).

 

[akayalto1]

Not sure what else to suggest. Make sure she is on that agreement. Any life insurance policies, etc. You can also try to submit what you have, and see what CIC suggests they want (if they want it -- you have a child together on the way, so it's hard to say what they will do).

Yeah, I think that having a child together is a pretty strong way to convince them that it's a real relationship...feels pretty real to me right now with our baby on the way... But, for sure just trying to cover all the bases to make sure we have everything together before applying.

One other thing is clarifying the Family Class application vs. In Canada. She is coming to Canada as a visitor and we will for sure be staying with family and then renting a place before we apply, so in a way she will be living in Canada as a visitor. If we can get the rental agreement with both our names and a utility bill with both our names then I think it's best to go the In Canada route. Otherwise, these documents would still help us, but we would also need to provide flights and visits etc.

The Family Class states also that you can either live in Canada, or apply from outside, which to me means that either will be sent to the Rome office to be processed there, however if we state that we are living in Canada but apply through the Family class, then she might be asked to go to Rome for an interview... Thoughts?

What if she can't fly due to the pregnancy, birth, or having a child to feed?

 

[profiler]

Yeah, I think that having a child together is a pretty strong way to convince them that it's a real relationship...feels pretty real to me right now with our baby on the way... But, for sure just trying to cover all the bases to make sure we have everything together before applying.

One other thing is clarifying the Family Class application vs. In Canada. She is coming to Canada as a visitor and we will for sure be staying with family and then renting a place before we apply, so in a way she will be living in Canada as a visitor. If we can get the rental agreement with both our names and a utility bill with both our names then I think it's best to go the In Canada route. Otherwise, these documents would still help us, but we would also need to provide flights and visits etc.

The Family Class states also that you can either live in Canada, or apply from outside, which to me means that either will be sent to the Rome office to be processed there, however if we state that we are living in Canada but apply through the Family class, then she might be asked to go to Rome for an interview... Thoughts?

What if she can't fly due to the pregnancy, birth, or having a child to feed?

I haven't seen an update yet to the operational guides that describe that. So, if you applied in Canada, (so not Family Class), then you can be sure that the interview will happen in Canada. I do suspect that Family Class (from inside Canada) will allow the interview to be held close to the city you both reside in, but I cannot say for sure yet.

 

[akayalto1]

I haven't seen an update yet to the operational guides that describe that. So, if you applied in Canada, (so not Family Class), then you can be sure that the interview will happen in Canada. I do suspect that Family Class (from inside Canada) will allow the interview to be held close to the city you both reside in, but I cannot say for sure yet.

You mean that even though it states that "I understand that I may be convoked to attend an interview at a visa office outside of Canada', you suspect that due to the new changes in the system, they would then try to set up the interview in Canada, despite the warning...

I think our case is clear enough that we shouldn't need an interview, but just in case, it could play a factor if which route to go, even though they are meant to be processed within 12 months. In the old system, the difference for our situation was 22 months 'In Canada' and 11 months Outland in Italy.