12/2/2014
Topic:
Sponsoring my Boyfriend from the UK
ccolls
|
Hi!
I am Canadian and my boyfriend is British.
We met while I was living in London, UK. He and I lived together from September 2011 until Sept 2012, however we continued our relationship in separate houses for the next 3 years.
we are still together, despite me moving back to Canada.
We are exploring the possibility of me sponsoring him to immigrate to Canada under a “Common law sponsorship” and want to clarify whether we would qualify as “Common law relationship” as we did live together during our relationship for one year consecutively, however lived apart in the more immediate years of our relationship. We were also living outside of Canada, so want to check whether this still applies?
Based on the criteria that is listed in an article about common law criteria:
Shelter – we lived together for one year (2011-2012), however in later years of our relationship we did not officially live together. We did spend time at each others houses and kept personal belongings at each others houses.
Sexual and Personal Behaviour – yes we are intimate
Services – yes, we consider each other a partner/pseudo-spouse
Social – yes, family and friends will confirm we are in a committed, romantic relationship
Societal – our peers, friends and family considered us in a serious, committed relationship
Economic Support – our finances were kept separate from one another
Children – we do not have any children
My boyfriend has met with an immigration representative but felt like he was just telling him what he wants to hear so that my boyfriend would pay the 5,000 GBP agreement for application. Also, this immigration representative said that this process could take until October 2015. Is that true?
I have reached out to a couple of different immigration companies to get a second opinion but I would really appreciate your advice on this, as I have just moved back to Toronto and am trying to understand what our options are for him to immigrate here.
Also, I've been reading that marriage is the only other option for sponsorship if common law doesn't count - Would getting engaged help our case at all? I really don't want to have a rushed wedding and want it to be special.
Thank you!
ccolls |