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Same-Sex Immigration Canada
Marc Laforce, Certified Canadian Immigration Consultant
Canada, along with less than a handful of countries such as Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands (Holland), recognises same-sex partners as legal common-law partners.
It thus follows that a national who is eligible to immigrate to Canada, such as a US citizen and his Venezuelan partner, can include his same-sex partner in his application for permanent residency.
While some US jurisdictions, such as the states of Massachusetts and Vermont, recognise same-sex couples, these rights do not extend to US immigration given federal law does not recognise gay couples as common-law partners. US nationals who have a same-sex non-US partner, therefore, find themselves in a legal jam. The non-US partner either is forced to enter on a student visa or must seek a company sponsor. In effect, there’s virtually no chance of being permanently reunited as legal partners.
The Canadian immigration act allows same-sex partners to be joined in a common application for permanent residency just like a husband and wife team would. There’s no need to feign being a single applicant. There’s no need to play the system by acting as single individuals.
Gay or lesbian Americans who wish to sponsor a non-US citizen may contact our office to schedule a confidential appointment to review Canada as an option for permanent residency. If a telephone appointment seems awkward, we have six US locations in which a face-to-face consultation can be arranged.
It is not necessary to mention your sexual orientation when booking your consultation as these matters will be discussed in private with your licensed practitioner. At the session, your practitioner will review your legal options in the strictest of confidence and will outline a realistic plan of action so that the couple can ultimately enjoy life together.
Canada same sex immigration. Canada immigration services. Marc Laforce, certified Canadian immigration consultant.