The immigration process is confusing at best for someone who is experiencing it let alone all my very loving and supportive friends/family trying to understand as well.
Here is a timeline of what has been happening and why I am currently feeling less than optimistic about the entire process
November 24th 2011: The original visa that I was on (the youth mobility scheme visa) that allowed me to live and work within the U.K. with no restrictions expired. In order to apply for any new visa, I had to return to Canada and apply at a British Consulate. After reviewing all of the available visa options, I decided on the unmarried partner settlement visa. I looked through the application several times and thought that I filled everything out correctly. I also believed that the only documents that they required were the ones that prove you had lived with your partner in the U.K. for two years. In hindsight I should have thought that I would have had to submit more proof but at the time I thought I was doing everything correctly. Matt and I went to Vancouver on the 24th of November and I booked an appointment at the Consulate to submit my paperwork. It was sent off via UPS and then I just had to wait. There was a very tearful good bye on the airport when Matt flew back to England on the 8th of December. As much as he would of liked to stay with me,it was not feasible for us both to remain in Canada.
December 19th: I receive an e-mail from the Consulate telling me that my visa application has been denied and that I will be receiving all of my documents and an explanation of the denial in the mail. A panic attack ensued as I tried to imagine on what grounds they would have denied my visa.
December 21st: The UPS package (that I had pre-paid for) arrived and there was a detailed description of the reasons for refusal of entry from the Entry Clearance Officer. Essentially, they felt that I had not submitted enough proof to show that Matt and I were actually in a relationship, that we earned enough money to support ourselves and not need to access public funds or that we had stable accommodation. The information and documents that they wanted, I did not know that I was meant to include. The suggested document guidelines were on a different part of the website that I had somehow overlooked. At this point I was pretty dehydrated from crying for three days straight. With the help of Matt, his family, my family, friends and 50 pictures printed out at Costco, I put together a very thorough appeal package. I could not send everything until the last day of December because of the Christmas holidays. I paid $70 to ensure that my documents arrived at the First Tier Tribunal and Asylum Chamber by the 3rd of January. The website is not very clear and I interpreted that once you have submitted your appeal, they make a decision within 10 working days. Based on that assumption, I thought that I would have a decision in two weeks and could be back in England by the end of month. Matt offered to come to Canada to see me and spend time with my family (and have a few days skiing) and then we’d hopefully be bale to fly back together.
January 8th: I went back on the Tribunal website to try and see if there was any way to find out more information. From the FAQ section I learned that the 10-day time period is only to decide if you are eligible for an appeal and not make an actual decision on your appeal. The settlement appeal process can then take 27 weeks! Severe dehydration ensued.
January 9th: I spent the majority of the day curled in the fetal position on the couch. I tried to go to yoga to clear my head and almost crashed the car backing out of the drive-way. I then determined that perhaps I should not be on the road and returned home to change into a full sweatsuit. I called the Home Office in England and got a recording, I then called the British High Commission in Ottawa to be told that she couldn’t really help me but directed me to a website. While that was not the most helpful response, the website search did yield one good result. I learned that I am able to re-apply in the same category without withdrawing my appeal. Of course, this is an expensive option because it means paying the fees for the same visa again, taking the bus to Edmonton (the nearest consulate office) plus the fees for hiring the immigration consultant company so I have some help this time.
I’m now a woman on a mission (an minimal sleep) as I try to get all the documents ready again, fill out the application and upload everything to the immigration company’s website so they can check everything over.
I’m so grateful for all the love and support from my family, friends and for my dad’s home office complete with scanner and color printer! But if one more person asks me Why don’t you just get married now? My head might explode.
