Rejected for student visa...now what?

[Sculpto]

Even if you find a company doing business in Belarus, they will have to show that there are not eligible permanent residents or citizens living in Canada who can do the job, and trust me there are plenty of Russian-speakers in Canada looking for work and there are likely a few from Belarus as well.

Disagree.  I once worked as production manager for a company that was legalizing their illegal Mexican cabinet makers.  They had to advertise every month for the jobs, but, they wrote the ad in such a way that no American would ever apply for the job.  It isn't that hard to get around the requirement.

However..

The only real option now, IMHO, is for Bruce to decide whether he truly wants to marry her and then sponsor her. If he is lucky, her application will be approved and not rejected because CIC has doubts as to whether it is a legitimate relationship.

I agree.  Quite honestly I am faced with the same situation.  If there was a way to get her over here right now without doing K1 or being forced to marry her in 90 days or less I would do it.  But, there isn't and it is forcing me to either take a risk on a marriage, go live there, or drop the whole darn thing.  Really sucks!

[brucen36]

I agree.  Quite honestly I am faced with the same situation.  If there was a way to get her over here right now without doing K1 or being forced to marry her in 90 days or less I would do it.  But, there isn't and it is forcing me to either take a risk on a marriage, go live there, or drop the whole darn thing.  Really sucks!

Why don't you try the student visa route and not screw up like I did.

[brucen36]

Aside from the advice you are receiving in your PM box, you really need to decide your priorities.

If you "think" she is "the one" what will it mean to you if you let this chance go?

You can consider things like going and marrying quickly, moving to Bel. for a 6 month period yourself, long weekends (cred to whoever suggested that) or other means of trying to build this relationship. In this economic climate, maybe your company would consent to a leave of absence for 6 months and give you their best assurance of full reinstatement. Maybe YOU could find a job in Bel. or somewhere closeby - PO, UA or elsewhere in E. Europe.

Maybe a bad analogy but stay with me through it please.

A mattress salesman's basic pitch to sell you up is that 1/3 of your life is spent on your mattress so it should be easy to spend more money on something as important as your mattress, box springs and bedding. Consider how important your wife is to your future health and happiness then decide what investments, financial, emotional, time, etc., which YOU are willing to make.

I'll share that when we began dating, my wife was curious why I was choosing to come live in Eastern Europe for a few years. She sort of "tested" me I think for the first few months. For a couple of months she was dating others and I knew I had to "win" her. Unlike some (no names) I chose not to try to take her to fancy restaurants, buy her a car, giver her a credit card, subsidize her apartment remont or the like. Instead, I concentrated on settling in to her culture, finding work, staying in contact and doing my best to be clear that I was willing to invest almost every non-working hour in getting to know her and putting together a long-term relationship. Eventually we decided to move-in together in a monogamous relationship and see how compatible we were. Apparently nothing insurmountable was discovered by each of us and we married, then lived in Ukraine for 2 more years.

Do you need to move there and "prove" your love? Not necessarily, but you should do what you can to make clear to yourself, her and the world (or at least the Canadian govt.) that you are in this for the long-haul and not some short-term deal to get her in-country.

Best of luck to you and be careful what plans or strategies you post on a public forum.

Thanks, good post.  Moving there is unfortunately not an option for me, but I hear your message.

[Misha]

Disagree.  I once worked as production manager for a company ... they wrote the ad in such a way that no American would ever apply for the job. 

Sculpto, Canadian immigration laws are different from American laws. It is a bit more challenging to get a work visa in Canada. Yes, some people did these past few years, but they were mainly in Alberta where employers were desperate for any workers as there were labor shortages everywhere. In most other places in Canada, unless you are advertising for a very, very highly specialized job, an employer will usually quite easily find someone to do the job in Canada. The only exception would perhaps be a job as a live-in nanny, but presumably that is not what Bruce and his g/f would want.

[ECOCKS]

Sculpt:

You and I are fated to be oil and vinegar.

Republican - Democrat
Conservative - Liberal
Practical -Theoretical
Rational - uh, sorry got carried away (come on, it was FUNNY!)

That said, just about every time I am about to write you off completely, you produce something which gives me a slight bit of pause. It's a shame you don't bat a higher average but, that's fate. As I stated about Limbaugh, Coulter et al on the right, there need to be a few irrational left-wingers pushing their side of the envelope as well, that establishes that middle ground for compromise.

That had been on my mind for a few days and I hope the board will take my word that only the timing, not the statement itself, was motivated by his compliment.

However, this doesn't mean we'll be swapping spit in the shower anytime in the future Sculpt. (Thanks to Clint Eastwood and his writers from Heartbreak Ridge.)

[brucen36]

Sculpto, Canadian immigration laws are different from American laws. It is a bit more challenging to get a work visa in Canada. Yes, some people did these past few years, but they were mainly in Alberta where employers were desperate for any workers as there were labor shortages everywhere. In most other places in Canada, unless you are advertising for a very, very highly specialized job, an employer will usually quite easily find someone to do the job in Canada. The only exception would perhaps be a job as a live-in nanny, but presumably that is not what Bruce and his g/f would want.

Yes you are correct, it's very hard to find someone to sponsor a foreigner especially in this job market.  I was looking for a russian or even english teaching job for her, but as you mentioned, plenty of people already qualified to do those jobs.  As for the live-in nanny, we have looked into that too.  Registered her on a number of au pair sites, but no bites yet.  It's not something she wants to do, but she is willing to suffer through that for 2 years if she can be here with me.  I don't know why it's so hard to find a position like this since a family can save a LOT of money by paying her only peanuts and she doesn't even have to be live-in.  

[tfcrew]

If there was a way to get her over here right now without doing K1 or being forced to marry her in 90 days or less I would do it.

No-one holds a gun to anyones head.
It is expensive, but to return when the visa expires demonstrates reliability to the State  Dept or Ministry and should make it easier to return another time.
Those stamps in the passport are examined with care.
Forgive if this has already been mentioned--

Canadian Embassy in Belarus           
Embassy of Canada in Belarus      send edits
The Government of Canada has no resident representation in Belarus.
Services are offered through our Embassy in Warsaw, Poland.
Web Site: http://www.Poland.gc.ca

Seems to me that Poland would be the ideal rendezvous anyway.

http://www.marriagevisahelp.com/index.php?page=canadian-wife-husband-partner-and-same-sex-partner-visas



   

[Sculpto]

Why don't you try the student visa route and not screw up like I did.

She likes her Uni and wants to complete her degree there.  I know exchange programs exist, but, she is insisting on attending her Uni. 

[tfcrew]

I just now realized that Canada has this same sex partner marriage stuff.
This is how far out of the loop I have become.
There is a visa for this?
Good Lord
See ... http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=9365.msg176986#msg176986

[brucen36]

She likes her Uni and wants to complete her degree there.  I know exchange programs exist, but, she is insisting on attending her Uni. 

Then even if you married her tomorrow she would not come here immediately anyways, if she insists on completing her degree there first.

[brucen36]

I just now realized that Canada has this same sex partner marriage stuff.
This is how far out of the loop I have become.
There is a visa for this?
Good Lord
See ... http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=9365.msg176986#msg176986

Yup, Canada is pretty progressive about such matters, and America will eventually catch up with time.

[Sculpto]

Yup, Canada is pretty progressive about such matters, and America will eventually catch up with time.

I like that!

Tell us about universal health care please. 

[brucen36]

I like that!

Tell us about universal health care please. 

If you have a good and stable job and make a decent amount of money, then health care in america is better.  If your prospects can vary over time, then better to be in Canada since the health care is guaranteed.  I've lived in both places for long periods, and when you have the money for healthcare, America is better, so much quicker and easy to get a good doctor.  But overall, the somewhat lower "quality" of healthcare in Canada and the longer wait times is probably worth the price for its universality.  All boils down to your status in life.

[tfcrew]

Yup, Canada is pretty progressive about such matters, and America will eventually catch up with time.

Men 'marrying' men?
This is 'progress'?

[brucen36]

Men 'marrying' men?
This is 'progress'?

'Progressive' does not have the same meaning as 'progress'.  But I suppose the answer to your question depends on what you personally consider progress.  It certainly may be considered progress by the gay community, but not others.  Truth is perspective.

[brucen36]

I agree 

So any estimates on the time it takes between marriage and arrival in Canada if the sponsorship is approved?

[Misha]

So any estimates on the time it takes between marriage and arrival in Canada if the sponsorship is approved?

Processing times is usually 5-7 months in Moscow. 

[UTRO]

So any estimates on the time it takes between marriage and arrival in Canada if the sponsorship is approved?

Well, I should have everything prepared by Thursday and sent off to the CIC......

Dreaming, 4 months
Optomistic, 6 months
Realistic, 8 months
Pessimistic, 12 months

http://www.cic.gc.ca/English/information/times/international/05-fc-spouses.asp#europe

[brucen36]

Well, I should have everything prepared by Thursday and sent off to the CIC......

Dreaming, 4 months
Optomistic, 6 months
Realistic, 8 months
Pessimistic, 12 months

http://www.cic.gc.ca/English/information/times/international/05-fc-spouses.asp#europe

Oh yes, you're going through this very process right now aren't you.  I wish you all the best with it.  Please keep us updated on the progress.  For the application, did you have to submit proof that you marriage is indeed genuine (eg. photos), or does that come later during the interview process?

[Misha]

Oh yes, you're going through this very process right now aren't you.  I wish you all the best with it.  Please keep us updated on the progress.  For the application, did you have to submit proof that you marriage is indeed genuine (eg. photos), or does that come later during the interview process?

You have to submit the proof that the marriage is genuine when your (future) wife submits her PR application.

[UTRO]

OMG Yes! I've been sitting at my computer for the last 2 days completing everything that CIC asks for As Misha states, genuine proof of marriage must be sent along with the Sponsorship/PR Application.... as well as........

The complete story of First Contact...

The complete story of First Meeting...

Information about Engagement.., where did the Proposal take Place, by Whom, was there a Ceremony to celebrate the Engagement?

Information about the Wedding..., where did it take place, date, number of Attendees, what Family Members attended and if not why?
                                              was your Marriage arranged...

Translated and Notarized Copies of Svetlana's.... Birth Certificate, International Passport, Work Record Card, Secondary Education and University Degree, Police Clearance Certificate, Passport Photos..

Copies of Emails, Text Message Records, Phone Records, Cards, Letters, Photos of Gifts, Photos of Places we've been together, Photos together with Friends and Family, Photos of Engagement, Photos of Wedding, Airline Tickets, Boarding Passes, train Tickets, Hotel receipts, Restaurant receipts, T4s, Notice of Assessment, my Divorce Certificate, Employer Letter, Investment Income, Interest Income, etc, etc, etc....... Whew!!

Oh and Marriage Certificate!

[brucen36]

OMG Yes! I've been sitting at my computer for the last 2 days completing everything that CIC asks for As Misha states, genuine proof of marriage must be sent along with the Sponsorship/PR Application.... as well as........

The complete story of First Contact...

The complete story of First Meeting...

Information about Engagement.., where did the Proposal take Place, by Whom, was there a Ceremony to celebrate the Engagement?

Information about the Wedding..., where did it take place, date, number of Attendees, what Family Members attended and if not why?
                                              was your Marriage arranged...

Translated and Notarized Copies of Svetlana's.... Birth Certificate, International Passport, Work Record Card, Secondary Education and University Degree, Police Clearance Certificate, Passport Photos..

Copies of Emails, Text Message Records, Phone Records, Cards, Letters, Photos of Gifts, Photos of Places we've been together, Photos together with Friends and Family, Photos of Engagement, Photos of Wedding, Airline Tickets, Boarding Passes, train Tickets, Hotel receipts, Restaurant receipts, T4s, Notice of Assessment, my Divorce Certificate, Employer Letter, Investment Income, Interest Income, etc, etc, etc....... Whew!!

Oh and Marriage Certificate!

You've depressed me.   

[UTRO]

You've depressed me.   

Well, admittedly there has been a lot of stress involved. Svetlana did a remarkable job coping by herself with obtaining everything she had to gather and paying for it.... probably amounting to $600 or $700 USD. We did a lot of things in advance of the Wedding. For example, on her way through Moscow to get to Jamaica for our Wedding, she pre-booked an appointment to get her Medical Report done. She also brought all her required documentation to Jamaica so I could bring it back to Canada with me. I in turn brought all the Forms that she needed to sign... all I need to do now is date those forms. This saved me from FedExing documents to her in Russia and then her having to FedEx them back to me with her signature. Also, we got very lucky with the Jamaican Government who Expedited Official Wedding Certificate(s) to us before we even left Jamaica. This is a very rare thing.... especially in Jamaica Usually it's a 2 to 4 month waiting period. Without this Certificate I wouldn't be able to send our Application for Sponsorship. The Minister's Certificate doesn't cut it. Can you imagine waiting all that time? It'll be bad enough awaiting the answer from CIC! More stress!!

[Ade]

Hats off to you Canadians that manage to wend your way through all this time consuming bureaucracy. It makes me realize how lucky I am, it really does.

[UTRO]

It's pure BS. Our Immigration System is a shame. The second largest country after Russia with a population of only 35 million. We need people. People from all countries are knocking at the door to get in and the system is so mired with inconsistency and bureaucratic fumbles that they are held up for years.... driving them away to the US and Australia instead. Many who do get in are failed by the system, don't integrate, or can't get their education recognized, even though they have been allowed to enter and have been given Permanent Residency! Many end up driving Cabs and Mopping Floors. I have a friend who brought his wife over from Thailand and the government doesn't even offer English as a Second Language classes. Nuts!