Red Flags - Examples

[Graihn]

Yes, this is for tax reasons. If a Canadian is common-law, then by law they must update their tax status with CRA in the year they became common-law, and can no longer file taxes as single. And of course this is great proof to show CIC in terms of joined finances.
Here is link to online account with CRA. He can register for an account if doesn't already have one. You don't need to submit proofs to CRA, they simply take you at your word that you're in fact common-law or married when you change status: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/esrvc-srvce/tx/ndvdls/myccnt/menu-eng.html

We just added myself as common-law, and I put the date as 2012-12-27 as when it became effective.

Should I have done 2013-12-27, which is exactly 1 year after moving in together (again)?

 

[Rob_TO]

We just added myself as common-law, and I put the date as 2012-12-27 as when it became effective.

Should I have done 2013-12-27, which is exactly 1 year after moving in together (again)?

You become common-law AFTER you have lived together for 12 consecutive months. So if you reached the 12 month mark a couple days ago, then your effective date is 2013-12-27.

You were not common-law during the 1 year of living together for qualifying. During that time you are just dating.

 

[petersiddle28]

Just wondering why is it a red flag for a woman to be older her husband. It would be quite hypocritical of Canada to see it as a bad thing especially when its own society has marriages of different ages, children w/o marriages, same sex marriage, simple ceremonies
I don't agree with this notion that one has to show this picture perfect display of marriage where the man is around 30ish, woman is 2-3 years younger, there was a grand party, there will plates filled with exotic food, people dancing etc. Can't two people simply meet, and marry ( companionship and love can grow ) - does Canada say no to them

 

[Alurra71]

No Peter, they do not say no.

I think in this context, the only time it would be a 'red flag' would be in a culture where the woman is RARELY older than the man and a lack of celebration is outside of the norm.

I know there are some countries where the woman being older is hardly, if ever found and a lack of a celebration means the marriage is not a 'true' marriage.

Remember the VO's in these situations must also take into account what the norm is for those countries these spouses are from because if it strays dramatically from those norms it might not be what is stated. In this case they try to dig deeper and figure out if it just out of the norm or just convenience.

 

[SenoritaBella]

In addition, the absence of certain marriage rites(e.g. dowry payment, Nikah Nama, etc) would be a red flag.

No Peter, they do not say no.

I think in this context, the only time it would be a 'red flag' would be in a culture where the woman is RARELY older than the man and a lack of celebration is outside of the norm.

I know there are some countries where the woman being older is hardly, if ever found and a lack of a celebration means the marriage is not a 'true' marriage.

Remember the VO's in these situations must also take into account what the norm is for those countries these spouses are from because if it strays dramatically from those norms it might not be what is stated. In this case they try to dig deeper and figure out if it just out of the norm or just convenience.

 

[Graihn]

You become common-law AFTER you have lived together for 12 consecutive months. So if you reached the 12 month mark a couple days ago, then your effective date is 2013-12-27.

You were not common-law during the 1 year of living together for qualifying. During that time you are just dating.

Thanks

 

[keesio]

Just wondering why is it a red flag for a woman to be older her husband. It would be quite hypocritical of Canada to see it as a bad thing especially when its own society has marriages of different ages, children w/o marriages, same sex marriage, simple ceremonies
I don't agree with this notion that one has to show this picture perfect display of marriage where the man is around 30ish, woman is 2-3 years younger, there was a grand party, there will plates filled with exotic food, people dancing etc. Can't two people simply meet, and marry ( companionship and love can grow ) - does Canada say no to them

It is a bit sexist but CIC is basically going by statistics. And stats say that it is much more common for the man to be older than the female. It is the same reason why applicants from certain countries face less scrutiny than others.

 

[petersiddle28]

In addition, the absence of certain marriage rites(e.g. dowry payment, Nikah Nama, etc) would be a red flag.

Vow, what century is this?

 

[sunshinemrc]

Vow, what century is this?

The VOs do have a hard job, but I think when they try to assess applications in 21st century they should realize that even in those cultures that have certain traditions a lot of the young people are very westernized. More and more, kids marry who they choose and not who parents choose for them, things have been changing rapidly.

Me and my husband followed most traditions, but not all. Our parents were not involved in choosing us for each other, but we knew that we would have not gone ahead with a marriage if either side did not accept our choice. It goes back to our background, and how we were raised. Some people may not agree that we let our families influence our decision/choice, but the truth is, if family does not accept your spouse (whatever the culture or background) sooner or later this may cause problems in your marriage.

 

[keesio]

The VOs do have a hard job, but I think when they try to assess applications in 21st century they should realize that even in those cultures that have certain traditions a lot of the young people are very westernized. More and more, kids marry who they choose and not who parents choose for them, things have been changing rapidly.

This may be true but there is still a non-trivial percentage that still follow these old customs. Arranged marriages are still very common and you still have countries where it is illegal for women to drive or to leave the house without an male relative escort.

 

[goatlove]

thankfully, even tho we got married on our first meeting, the VO never addressed this.