Alright - I've looked at the different sponsorship classes etc. But was wondering if anyone has any relevant experiance, or advice they can give on my particular situation.
I have been with my gf for over 2 years. Of those 2 years we lived continuously for over a year. This should qualify me for common law status, however I am lacking in the "proof" area as the lease, electrical bills were not in both of our names, and were in her's only as she set up the apartment before I arrive. In fact the whole proof thing is a bit of a problem, in that we don't have very many photos (my digital camera's mem card stopped working), not many emails, what i do have is a few hundred used phone cards - and a number of western union receipts (most as of late - for a good while she was the one supporting me in the DR should this be ok? Should we just get married first?
Other question is that I have a baby on the way, due in August, can i start the process before hand, or do I have to wait until the baby arrives?
The next thing I would like to know is with regards to income, As I was living in the DR, I was not making substantial income, and the income I did receive was off the books - I am now back in Canada and working for the govt. and have been for a month or so, and have a consistant work record while living in Canada - should this be proof enough that I can support her? regardless of the lack of income in the last year? Will the previous few months + previous years be enough proof??
This might be a little out of the regular scope, but the other thing I would like to know is if anyone has succesfully taken parental leave with a foreign birth certificate(provided my name is stated as the father). Within a couple of months I should qualify for parental leave in Ontario, which should allow me some time off, at partial pay, to spend time with my "wife" and child until the sponsorship comes through. Has anyone been able to do this(men)? Does anyone know if I would be granted any type of job retention during this time?
One more thing is regarding DNA testing, have many people been required to do this? Does it hold up the application much? Does the fact that the baby is proven to be yours help with the process? How much does it cost?
One last thing, If I worked for CIC for a while, and know a few people there, will this help my cause, would working at CIC when I make the the sponsorship help? (I am currently in competition for a position)
That's about it, any and all observations help. Thanks in advance.
I have been with my gf for over 2 years. Of those 2 years we lived continuously for over a year. This should qualify me for common law status, however I am lacking in the "proof" area as the lease, electrical bills were not in both of our names, and were in her's only as she set up the apartment before I arrive. In fact the whole proof thing is a bit of a problem, in that we don't have very many photos (my digital camera's mem card stopped working), not many emails, what i do have is a few hundred used phone cards - and a number of western union receipts (most as of late - for a good while she was the one supporting me in the DR should this be ok? Should we just get married first?
Other question is that I have a baby on the way, due in August, can i start the process before hand, or do I have to wait until the baby arrives?
The next thing I would like to know is with regards to income, As I was living in the DR, I was not making substantial income, and the income I did receive was off the books - I am now back in Canada and working for the govt. and have been for a month or so, and have a consistant work record while living in Canada - should this be proof enough that I can support her? regardless of the lack of income in the last year? Will the previous few months + previous years be enough proof??
This might be a little out of the regular scope, but the other thing I would like to know is if anyone has succesfully taken parental leave with a foreign birth certificate(provided my name is stated as the father). Within a couple of months I should qualify for parental leave in Ontario, which should allow me some time off, at partial pay, to spend time with my "wife" and child until the sponsorship comes through. Has anyone been able to do this(men)? Does anyone know if I would be granted any type of job retention during this time?
One more thing is regarding DNA testing, have many people been required to do this? Does it hold up the application much? Does the fact that the baby is proven to be yours help with the process? How much does it cost?
One last thing, If I worked for CIC for a while, and know a few people there, will this help my cause, would working at CIC when I make the the sponsorship help? (I am currently in competition for a position)
That's about it, any and all observations help. Thanks in advance.