Difference between revisions of "My Husband Sponsored Me and We Have Now Separated"
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{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}} | {{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}If your spouse sponsored you and you have separated, you have the right to remain in Canada as long as you are a permanent resident or a citizen. | ||
Before April 28, 2017 some permanent resident status was conditional. A conditional permanent resident was required to live with their sponsor for 2 years. As of April 28, 2017 the Government of Canada has eliminated this condition. This change applies to anyone who was subject to this condition as well as persons sponsored in the future. | |||
If you are a permanent resident | If you are a permanent resident immigration officials cannot ask you to leave Canada if you separate from your spouse unless they believe the marriage was not genuine. | ||
'''What if I'm not a permanent resident?''' | |||
If you are not a permanent resident and want to remain in Canada, you may | If you are not a permanent resident and you want to remain in Canada, you may do one of two things: | ||
* | :* Apply for ''refugee status''. For information, see [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/I_want_to_claim_refugee_status_in_Canada I want to claim refugee status in Canada]. | ||
* | :OR | ||
:* Apply for permanent resident status based on ''humanitarian and compassionate grounds''. For information, see [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1864 A Guide to Humanitarian and Compassionate Applications (H&C Applications)]. | |||
== First steps == | == First steps == | ||
# | #Get help from a lawyer or a settlement or community agency: | ||
#*If you cannot afford a lawyer | #*If you cannot afford a lawyer, apply for legal aid. See [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/Legal_Aid_Representation legal aid representation] in the Resource List. To get legal aid you must be financially eligible and your case must have a reasonable chance of success. | ||
#*If you do not qualify for legal aid, | #*If you do not qualify for legal aid, contact an immigration settlement agency. See [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1073 Sponsorship Breakdown] for a list of community workers and settlement agencies, or use the [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/WelcomeBC_Settlement_Services_Map WelcomeBC Settlement Services Map]]. | ||
#* | #*Contact the [http://www.ywcavan.org/content/Mothers_Without_Legal_Status_Project/702 YWCA Single Mothers Without Legal Status In Canada Project]. | ||
#* | #*Contact the [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/Law_Students%27_Legal_Advice_Program Law Students' Legal Advice Program]] if you live in the Lower Mainland. | ||
#*Pay for a lawyer or immigration consultant. | |||
#If you have a child, | #If you have a child, get legal advice. See [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/I_just_separated_from_the_other_parent_of_my_children I just separated from the other parent of my children]. | ||
#If you fear returning to your country | #If you fear returning to your country, get legal advice about how to apply for refugee status. See the section [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php/I_want_to_claim_refugee_status_in_Canada I want to claim refugee status in Canada]. | ||
#If you were sponsored by your husband and the sponsorship | #If you were sponsored by your husband and the sponsorship application was not completed when you separated, get legal advice. You may be able to apply to stay in Canada on humanitarian or compassionate grounds. For information, see [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1864 A Guide to Humanitarian and Compassionate Applications (H&C Applications)]. | ||
#If your spouse is no longer supporting you see the resource titled [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1073 Sponsorship Breakdown]. | |||
{{Tipsbox | {{Tipsbox | ||
| width = 70% | | width = 70% | ||
| tips = Unless you already have a work permit, you are not entitled to work in Canada while an H&C | | tips = Unless you already have a work permit, you are not entitled to work in Canada while an H&C application is under consideration until you have been "approved in principle." | ||
}} | }} | ||
== | ==Where to get help== | ||
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians | Resource List]] in this guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are: | |||
* [[Legal Aid Representation | Legal aid representation]], to see if you qualify for legal aid. | |||
* [[Government of Canada's Settlement Services Directory]] to find agencies that provide services to immigrants and refugee claimants. | |||
* The Clicklaw common question [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/question/commonquestion/1062 A friend was sponsored to come to Canada but the sponsor left her. What can she do?] | |||
{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Rochelle Appleby]], | {{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Rochelle Appleby]], May 2017}} | ||
{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}} | {{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}} | ||
{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}} | {{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}} |
Latest revision as of 20:53, 21 July 2017
If your spouse sponsored you and you have separated, you have the right to remain in Canada as long as you are a permanent resident or a citizen.
Before April 28, 2017 some permanent resident status was conditional. A conditional permanent resident was required to live with their sponsor for 2 years. As of April 28, 2017 the Government of Canada has eliminated this condition. This change applies to anyone who was subject to this condition as well as persons sponsored in the future.
If you are a permanent resident immigration officials cannot ask you to leave Canada if you separate from your spouse unless they believe the marriage was not genuine.
What if I'm not a permanent resident?
If you are not a permanent resident and you want to remain in Canada, you may do one of two things:
- Apply for refugee status. For information, see I want to claim refugee status in Canada.
- OR
- Apply for permanent resident status based on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. For information, see A Guide to Humanitarian and Compassionate Applications (H&C Applications).
First steps[edit]
- Get help from a lawyer or a settlement or community agency:
- If you cannot afford a lawyer, apply for legal aid. See legal aid representation in the Resource List. To get legal aid you must be financially eligible and your case must have a reasonable chance of success.
- If you do not qualify for legal aid, contact an immigration settlement agency. See Sponsorship Breakdown for a list of community workers and settlement agencies, or use the WelcomeBC Settlement Services Map].
- Contact the YWCA Single Mothers Without Legal Status In Canada Project.
- Contact the Law Students' Legal Advice Program] if you live in the Lower Mainland.
- Pay for a lawyer or immigration consultant.
- If you have a child, get legal advice. See I just separated from the other parent of my children.
- If you fear returning to your country, get legal advice about how to apply for refugee status. See the section I want to claim refugee status in Canada.
- If you were sponsored by your husband and the sponsorship application was not completed when you separated, get legal advice. You may be able to apply to stay in Canada on humanitarian or compassionate grounds. For information, see A Guide to Humanitarian and Compassionate Applications (H&C Applications).
- If your spouse is no longer supporting you see the resource titled Sponsorship Breakdown.
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Unless you already have a work permit, you are not entitled to work in Canada while an H&C application is under consideration until you have been "approved in principle." |
Where to get help[edit]
See the Resource List in this guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
- Legal aid representation, to see if you qualify for legal aid.
- Government of Canada's Settlement Services Directory to find agencies that provide services to immigrants and refugee claimants.
- The Clicklaw common question A friend was sponsored to come to Canada but the sponsor left her. What can she do?
This information applies to British Columbia, Canada. Last reviewed for legal accuracy by Rochelle Appleby, May 2017. |
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