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| Subject: Frank Advice Needed (spousal sponsorship) |
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Hello! I´m planning to marry and sponsor my South Korean girlfriend within the next year or so, and would appreciate any and all advice. I know the policies surrounding spousal / family sponsorship pretty well, but there are some factors in my particular case which have the potential to work against me...which is why I´m on discussion boards seeking advice. I want to be as educated and prepared as possible going into this process!
Here is an outline of my situation:
- I am a Canadian citizen, 31 years old, my girlfriend is South Korean, 32 years old
- My girlfriend is currently in Korea, I´m in Canada
- My girlfriend and I began dating in 2001, but there have been 2-3 periods between then and now where we´ve been separated (the longest of which was two years...2007/8)
- My girlfriend has been to Canada frequently, and for long periods of time (we met here while she was studying at university)
- We plan on getting married in Korea this summer, I will come back to Canada alone and begin the sponsorship process
- I am employed, full-time
Simple enough...now here are my special circumstances:
- I sponsored my ex-wife, also South Korean (the sponsorship period has since ended, however). We are divorced.
- My ex-wife DID receive social assistance during the sponsorship period
- I have since paid back the social assistance (~$10 000) she received from the Ontario government, and am in possession of a release letter
- My ex-wife and I have a daughter together (both of them live here in Canada), and I have never been in arrears for child support.
And here are the preparations I´ve been making:
- I am in possession of my divorce certificate and sponsorship default release letter
- I have piles of correspondence (letters, email, cards, etc.) that my girlfriend and I have exchanged over the years, as evidence of our relationship
- I have hundreds of photos of us together here in Canada, Korea, and abroad, as evidence of our relationship
- I am working on a letter to attach to our sponsorship application, which will detail our relationship
Considering her age, and the fact that she´s been in Canada already (and for years at a time), we´ve decided getting married in Korea and applying for immigration while she´s still in Korea to be the safer route. As I said, we plan on getting married in Korea this summer.
Frank and precise advice would be VERY MUCH appreciated.
Thank you in advance!
[03-02-2010,12:59]
[***.106.103.24]
KRM |
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(in reply to: Frank Advice Needed (spousal sponsorship))
This case looks clean-cut and dry! I don´t think you have any reason to worry about... As far as the age is concerned, it is only 1 year difference; not 10 or 20. I think you have nothing to be worried about. Good luck with marriage and the rest!
[03-02-2010,15:25]
[***.202.39.117]
curious |
(in reply to: Frank Advice Needed (spousal sponsorship))
something to mull over...
does she have the credentials to come as a skilled worker? reason I ask that is it may assist CIC in being comfortable that she can come to Canada with or without sponsorship
does that make sense?
[03-02-2010,21:17]
[***.20.121.15]
Sharon |
(in reply to: Frank Advice Needed (spousal sponsorship))
Thank you for the feedback, everyone.
Sharon: Although she is educated, and her English is at a high-intermediate level, I don´t think she could be admitted as a skilled worker. We´ve seen better-educated and more work-experienced colleagues of ours denied immigration on that basis. However, the suggestion is much appreciated. Also, I´m hoping the fact that she does have a degree and management experience (HR) in a large company will work to our advantage, even if only slightly, in the spousal application.
Thanks again!
[04-02-2010,12:31]
[***.106.103.24]
KRM |
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