Question:
I have a couple of questions regarding
permanent residency. I came over
from Italy a few ears ago and found
employment in the trades industry.
1) I was considering
applying as a skilled worker as
I think I have enough points to
qualify. However I have just returned
from a year in Canada working on
a SWAP work visa. My question is
whether or not my work experience
there can be used as "one year's
work experience". I was employed
full time but not for the full year
- it was 12 months, short by 5 weeks.
2) While
I was in Canada I wasn't living
with my girlfriend. This was due
to her being Italian and it being
culturally unacceptable. Can I claim
this cultural reason for why we
didn't live together on an application
through the "conjugal partner" application
route?
Answer:
No to both questions. No, because
you made this "cultural reason"
up out of thin air. I am sure there
are plenty of Italian people (both
abroad and in their native land)
who co-habit without being married.
If you have to go through mental
somersaults to justify this stuff
in your own head, you don't stand
a chance against the immigration
authorities. Either you meet the
requirements, or you don't.
