I know all the definitions. I sent testimonials from two landlords (which included their contact info and cedula numbers), plus rent receipts in both our names, testimonial from my boss which stated all the details of my employment... I sent everything under the sun. I gave them ALL my passport pages that showed I never came back to Canada - that I was in DR for 1 yr 9 months straight. I proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was there ALL that time, and that we qualify as common-law.
I know it's not so much about my job, and more about the relationship, and they have NOT asked for a single piece of proof of the relationship.
This is why I'm confused. Why are they concerned that my visa was expired, or pay receipts/contract from my boss? Who cares how much money I made while I was there? I did not collect any unemployment insurance or welfare from Canada while I was away. What if I had been rich and just wanted to go hang out and be lazy with my man? Would they care then?
With the original application I sent a letter from my boss that confirmed my employment details AND my relationship with my husband, since they knew each other well. This is just one hoop to jump through that I genuinely do not understand, and I feel they are digging to ridiculous depths to look for something wrong with our case. We are as legit as it gets and they are still yanking our chain. We showed proof of a joint bank account as well.
What next? Blood and stool and hair samples that show I consumed Dominican meat products for a period of one year? Do they want to analyze my toothbrush to be sure it was in contact with Dominican water?
I have been very understanding with the process, and I have provided them with everything they've asked for and more. I just feel this is a strange request from them... since I know the visa is irrelevant when it comes to CANADIAN immigration. If anything, having the visa to be there should have strengthened my case. That's more than most people have. All my ex-pat friends told me I wasted my time when I got it, and laughed at me when I wanted to renew it. Absolutely nobody had one, and they all had jobs just fine. Nobody was breaking the law.
Onece time I had a problem with my employer and I went to the Dominican Labour Board (secretaria de trabajo) to ask what my rights were, and they told me I had all the rights a Dominican person would have (ie vacation time, work hours, minimum wage, etc.) regardless of the fact that the visa was expired. They said as long as the business I worked for was legit. And it was. My boss had a Dominican business lisence. I even provided all of his business info to immigration with my application. I was VERY THOROUGH.
At the very least I have a letter from the Dominican embassy here in Ottawa stating that it's no problem by their laws that I overstayed... because I payed the penalty fee when I left.
Anyways, just thought I'd share this info, so others can get a good idea of how immigration is really stretching for reasons to prolong the cases.