Hello Everyone,
I'm hoping to get a bit of guidance for the sponsorship process in Quebec. I'm American and my partner is Quebecois (Canadian) and we're preparing to get the sponsorship process started ASAP.
We met in July 2013 at a festival and hit it off, keeping in touch nearly everyday. In August 2013, I decided I wanted to broaden my horizons and begin traveling (I left my job at an investment firm of 3 years), first visiting MTL for 3 months beginning on August 30th, 2013. I sublet an apartment initially, but my partner and I soon realized we wanted to see where our developing relationship would go, so we moved in together in October 2013. The apartment at the time was in her Mother's name, but this effectively begun our cohabitation.
Since I was automatically given 6 months when entering at YUL, I stayed the entire time, then requested a visa extension *specifically* asking it for the reason of establishing a common-law relationship with my now partner. It got approved and I was successfully able to stay in Canada through July 30th, 2014.
In the spring, things got a bit tight financially, and my savings where nearly exhausted earlier than I expected. In an insane stroke of luck, my partner and I BOTH were able to land full-time jobs in April/May (she was working part-time while attending school). My partner works full-time with her current employer, and I was able to find a REMOTE job for a U.S. based start-up doing customer support from my personal CPU.
This development effectively saved my having to go back to the states to find a full-time job and some how make it back here after saving again. We've since moved into a new place together in July 2014, and I was able to get another extension that expires 01/30/2014. When requesting the extension this time, I again specified that we would move forward with the sponsorship process in October, 2014, and provided my contract for work, and pay stubs showing I was paid in USD in my US account. However, we were unable to proceed with he application process when October hit because... WE FOUND OUT WE WERE PREGNANT!
There were medical implications early on with the pregnancy that were of concern, so we had a frenzy of doctor appointments in that 3 month time. It all turned out OK and we are expecting a healthy baby boy in April.
All that said, I have the following questions with regard to the sponsorship process:
1. When we moved in together, neither of our names were on the lease at the time and we honestly don't have much proof that we lived together since October of 2013. Would it be sufficient to get my mother-in-law to right a letter confirming and getting a signature guarantee?
2. What forms are needed for Quebec residents in addition to the Canadian sponsorship forms? We're going to take the Outland option as that seems to be the most time efficient for Americans (although I have a job, I'd like to expand my job search to Canadian companies as well because I'd like life insurance, paid time off, etc, none of which I currently have with my current employer).
3. My partner nor I have ever filed bankruptcy or have been on social assistance, however, we both have unsatisfied student loan amounts (my partner Canadian, and I American/Sallie Mae). Will this be a factor in the sponsorship eligibility?
4. I have unfilled taxes for the U.S. for 2013, but I plan on filing up-to-date records as soon as our financial situation is more stable (when we've saved adequately for the baby and have made all the necessary purchases). Could this be revealed on my FBI background check and create a problem? I also have a small amount of state income taxes that I still owe from 2012 (<$500 USD), will this also be a factor? I'm going to get that sorted out as well sooner than later, but it will likely be after we've already started the sponsorship process. Also, will my credit report be a factor? I made a few poor mistakes with credit car debt in my earlier years.
5. And lastly, I haven't visited home since I've been here and my family has been very anxious to formally meet my new family. However, I've been extremely apprehensive to do so because of an incident we had at the border that July. We took a brief trip to Vermont for a 3 day weekend around the 4th of July because I sustained a small injury while biking in MTL. It was more cost efficient for us to make a little vacation out of it because I had then U.S. benefits which would cover my medical expenses.
When returning to MTL, the visa officer seemed suspicious of our short trip and the duration of time I had been in Canada. I told him the 100% truth about our situation, but not before him telling me, "Tell me the truth or I'll send you far away, yeah?". :'( This caused my partner to breakout in tears as a result, but after questioning for 5 minutes, he allowed me back into Canada. I assume this was because my visitor visa was soon expiring, but I honestly had NO intention of attempting to get another stamp without formally requesting an extension.
We want to avoid this stress, but would really, really like to visit my family before our son is born. Is there anyway to avoid this extreme anxiety? I cannot imagine not being here for the birth of my child - they need me as much as I need them. When we submit the OUTLAND application, can I request another visa extension? I asked for a year the last time, but they only gave me 6 months again.
So sorry for the longevity, I just wanted to provide as much information as possible. I welcome and appreciate any guidance and experiences you all have to offer!
P.S. We currently have a join lease in our name, a join bank account opened in June 2013 for our common bills, and we are able to provide a plethora of messages from my family (specifically my mom) as well as photos of us, not to mention us having a child on the way. Do you all think this will be a relatively straightforward? My status is of utmost concern right now because I need to be here to help with our baby boy.
Thanks so much
I'm hoping to get a bit of guidance for the sponsorship process in Quebec. I'm American and my partner is Quebecois (Canadian) and we're preparing to get the sponsorship process started ASAP.
We met in July 2013 at a festival and hit it off, keeping in touch nearly everyday. In August 2013, I decided I wanted to broaden my horizons and begin traveling (I left my job at an investment firm of 3 years), first visiting MTL for 3 months beginning on August 30th, 2013. I sublet an apartment initially, but my partner and I soon realized we wanted to see where our developing relationship would go, so we moved in together in October 2013. The apartment at the time was in her Mother's name, but this effectively begun our cohabitation.
Since I was automatically given 6 months when entering at YUL, I stayed the entire time, then requested a visa extension *specifically* asking it for the reason of establishing a common-law relationship with my now partner. It got approved and I was successfully able to stay in Canada through July 30th, 2014.
In the spring, things got a bit tight financially, and my savings where nearly exhausted earlier than I expected. In an insane stroke of luck, my partner and I BOTH were able to land full-time jobs in April/May (she was working part-time while attending school). My partner works full-time with her current employer, and I was able to find a REMOTE job for a U.S. based start-up doing customer support from my personal CPU.
This development effectively saved my having to go back to the states to find a full-time job and some how make it back here after saving again. We've since moved into a new place together in July 2014, and I was able to get another extension that expires 01/30/2014. When requesting the extension this time, I again specified that we would move forward with the sponsorship process in October, 2014, and provided my contract for work, and pay stubs showing I was paid in USD in my US account. However, we were unable to proceed with he application process when October hit because... WE FOUND OUT WE WERE PREGNANT!
There were medical implications early on with the pregnancy that were of concern, so we had a frenzy of doctor appointments in that 3 month time. It all turned out OK and we are expecting a healthy baby boy in April.
All that said, I have the following questions with regard to the sponsorship process:
1. When we moved in together, neither of our names were on the lease at the time and we honestly don't have much proof that we lived together since October of 2013. Would it be sufficient to get my mother-in-law to right a letter confirming and getting a signature guarantee?
2. What forms are needed for Quebec residents in addition to the Canadian sponsorship forms? We're going to take the Outland option as that seems to be the most time efficient for Americans (although I have a job, I'd like to expand my job search to Canadian companies as well because I'd like life insurance, paid time off, etc, none of which I currently have with my current employer).
3. My partner nor I have ever filed bankruptcy or have been on social assistance, however, we both have unsatisfied student loan amounts (my partner Canadian, and I American/Sallie Mae). Will this be a factor in the sponsorship eligibility?
4. I have unfilled taxes for the U.S. for 2013, but I plan on filing up-to-date records as soon as our financial situation is more stable (when we've saved adequately for the baby and have made all the necessary purchases). Could this be revealed on my FBI background check and create a problem? I also have a small amount of state income taxes that I still owe from 2012 (<$500 USD), will this also be a factor? I'm going to get that sorted out as well sooner than later, but it will likely be after we've already started the sponsorship process. Also, will my credit report be a factor? I made a few poor mistakes with credit car debt in my earlier years.
5. And lastly, I haven't visited home since I've been here and my family has been very anxious to formally meet my new family. However, I've been extremely apprehensive to do so because of an incident we had at the border that July. We took a brief trip to Vermont for a 3 day weekend around the 4th of July because I sustained a small injury while biking in MTL. It was more cost efficient for us to make a little vacation out of it because I had then U.S. benefits which would cover my medical expenses.
When returning to MTL, the visa officer seemed suspicious of our short trip and the duration of time I had been in Canada. I told him the 100% truth about our situation, but not before him telling me, "Tell me the truth or I'll send you far away, yeah?". :'( This caused my partner to breakout in tears as a result, but after questioning for 5 minutes, he allowed me back into Canada. I assume this was because my visitor visa was soon expiring, but I honestly had NO intention of attempting to get another stamp without formally requesting an extension.
We want to avoid this stress, but would really, really like to visit my family before our son is born. Is there anyway to avoid this extreme anxiety? I cannot imagine not being here for the birth of my child - they need me as much as I need them. When we submit the OUTLAND application, can I request another visa extension? I asked for a year the last time, but they only gave me 6 months again.
So sorry for the longevity, I just wanted to provide as much information as possible. I welcome and appreciate any guidance and experiences you all have to offer!
P.S. We currently have a join lease in our name, a join bank account opened in June 2013 for our common bills, and we are able to provide a plethora of messages from my family (specifically my mom) as well as photos of us, not to mention us having a child on the way. Do you all think this will be a relatively straightforward? My status is of utmost concern right now because I need to be here to help with our baby boy.
Thanks so much
