visa for canada...emj_08, process from start to finish - Page 11

emj_08 · #**101** 07-04-2009, 09:42 PM

I definitely did not insult anyone or say all marriages were bogus. And I have said many times that I did supply ALL of my passport pages, that show i was there without leaving for the entire time, PLUS my last two visits. they saw all the proof in my passport. And caro, I'm telling you, this is just how it was. There were no leases. I lived in Dominican neighbourhood, with Dominican landlords, etc. All of us living below the poverty line. This was no fancy high-rise apartment or gingo area of town. It was one unit that we rented out. We lived hand-to-mouth, no money to pay lawyers or anything like that. We took what we could get. Receipts was the best she could do for me, and according to the CIC hotline, when I called in May 08 before applying, these receipts were good enough. I just hope they recorded that call.

I think we did a pretty good job of documenting our lives together given our circumstances.

emj_08 · #**102** 07-04-2009, 09:54 PM

Not to mention we didn't have cable, and our landlady paid the power bills. This is the only way we could afford to live.

As for taxes and stuff, I never claimed any foreign income. I had the document from revenue Canada that stated I had no income in 2007, because I was gone the whole time.

And again Anna, it wasn't hard - I did provide all my passport pages to prove I lived there.

sangria · #**103** 07-04-2009, 10:27 PM

EMJ,

I am sure you are frustrated, angry, sad and all the other emotions that are normal for this situation.

I am sorry this is happening for you and all the other ladies....It really goes to show that we are only how we present ourselves on paper....we are just a number and the government does not take feelings or sacrifice into consideration....We can say what we think you should have done differently but it doesnt change the decision for you or anyone.

I am sure you will have a strong chance to be approved at the appeal hearing. I realize money is an issue but seeking some advice from either an immigration consultant or lawyer might be well worth the investment at this point. They will show you places you went wrong in the application that you cant see for yourself as they are looking with a fresh eye and no connection to you. Be sure to choose someone who is familiar with the office in port au prince.

I know it doesnt make sense right now and I do believe your relationship is real but I am not sure a quicky marriage is going to solve the problem. It might look worse that you are now trying a different avenue to get a visa for someone. I doubt it would prove your relationship is more serious than if you didnt get married. A lawyer would be able to advise you better on that.

Good Luck!

princesa_pineda · #**104** 07-04-2009, 10:28 PM

EMJ so sorry to hear your news.

emj_08 · #**105** 07-06-2009, 12:13 AM

Sangria, thanks. You are right. I said that out of frustration, I'm not sure I'll be going to get married... out of principle. I don't want my government to force any decisions on me. I mean, a wedding like that would have a dark, sad shadow over it. Knowing I'd be leaving him only to wait and wait again, with no guarantee. I think our case holds stronger if we maintain that we don't believe getting married right now is the right thing to do. BUT I have spoken more with my family, and they are willing to travel with me to be at the wedding if we decide to do it. I think in the end we will do the appeal, and if we lose, then get married and apply as a married couple.

sangria · #**106** 07-06-2009, 01:19 PM

i think the first stage of the appeal takes about 6 months or maybe a little more...if it doesnt go well then plan a simple wedding for the right reasons.

you are right if you rush a wedding it wont have the same meaning as one planned with excitement.

also remember you can have a big wedding and reception when he does arrive...noone says you cant have 2 weddings!!!! all the more fun if you ask me!

lexi · #**107** 07-06-2009, 06:30 PM

emj_08 - I am very sorry to hear you got denied. That is so sad. I think this is the first time that anyone who has lived with their boyfriend/partner/spouse has ever been denied?? Is that correct AnnaC?

I hope you don't give up and that it all works out for you at the appeal. I know you don't want to get married but if you are thinking of later doing it, why not now? It could also strengthen your appeal process.

Stay strong - don't give up!!

Johana · #**108** 07-07-2009, 10:12 AM

EMJ,

I'm sorry to hear that you were denied. I know from your perspective you have done everything you were supposed to and provided all the information that was asked.

Unfortunately, as Sangria mentions, when it comes to the application we are all just words written on some forms. It seems that if they have doubts then they can reject "proof" that is sent in i.e. phone cards. Some people send phone cards with no issues - others are told that "you could have used them to call anyone" or "you could have picked them up off the ground". With regards to your passport pages - unless someone actually sees the physical passport there is no guaranttee that you didn't copy blanks from another passport. I don't believe this is what you did - but from someone sitting in an office in another country it's easy for them to say. If you are appealing then you can show them the actual passport.
This seems similar to the lengths that some people have to go to in order to prove their spouse's identity if the birth was registered late.

I'm sure it's extra frustrating to hear that your rent receipts are not good enough when you took the time to call the CIC and were told that they are acceptable. And I'm sure on other applications they might be.

I hope that any one applying under common-law is able to read your story and learn from the things that you have had to go through and that you will have helped people in the future.

Best of luck with your appeal. I think Sangria gave some good advice in suggesting that you contact an immigration consultant or lawyer. They may also advise that a wedding now may look like you are just trying to get around the decision and they still may question it.

emj_08 · #**109** 07-07-2009, 04:42 PM

Thanks Johana. Just to clear this up, when we were asked for more documents the very last time, I sent in my physical passport for them. So they still have it. The actual passport. I did everything I could to fill all the gaps for them, but I guess this wasn't good enough. My lawyer is confident about our appeal, and we will get to have witnesses... so I will have my entire family (who has met him), and my ex-boss and landlady in DR (who will teleconference in). The lawyer also says CIC made some technical mistakes during the processing of our application that we can nail them for, and we will probably mean we will qualify for humanitarian grounds, or something like that. Meaning the application didn't work out for technical, paperwork reasons, but they truly do believe our case is legitimate.
I will keep everyone updated. Thanks for your support.

Johana · #**110** 07-07-2009, 05:09 PM

EMJ,

I know it can take a while to get your hearing date. I know that a lawyer is one more cost that you probably don't need right now but it does sound encouraging.
Hopefully this will be the last step for you