Questions for visa application to Canada

[drbabe]

I am just about to start the sponsorship process and have a million things going through my head, seems very daunting to be honest.

I have been reading things on here for some time now and finally took the plunge to post and hopefully clear my head.

We had figured that if we send them everything (ie originls of birth, marriage and baptism certificates) plus ALL our proof of relationship, they wont be in a position to ask for more. Has anyone done this or think it is worthwhile?

Another thing, my husband contacted his cell phone provider and was only able to get his phone bills dating back six months ( to show all his phonecalls to me). Do you think if we explain this to them it will be perceived as something reasonable in DR? (btw, we have been together 3 years but didnt gather that evidence previously unfortunately).

Maybe it is just me but I find the paperwork quite unclear in parts and not very clear instructions. One example, they ask for details of all their siblings and clearly state "whether or not they will be joining them in Canada". No, none of his will, so is it sufficient to just provide their names, DOB's, addresses?

Any other pointers ?

Sorry for this confusion, hope some of this makes sense before my mind is lost forever.

[tink23]

drbabe,

Although I'm unable to help you with this, I can assure you that you're asking your questions in the right place. There are some very helpful people on here who are going through/ have gone through the same thing as you and I'm positive they will be around shortly to answer your questions.

Good luck with everything

[sangria]

Originally Posted by drbabe

I am just about to start the sponsorship process and have a million things going through my head, seems very daunting to be honest.

I have been reading things on here for some time now and finally took the plunge to post and hopefully clear my head.

We had figured that if we send them everything (ie originls of birth, marriage and baptism certificates) plus ALL our proof of relationship, they wont be in a position to ask for more. Has anyone done this or think it is worthwhile?

Some have sent originals only to later be asked to send copies. In my opinion, follow the instructions they give you. We did as the application asked and sent copies. When our process finished we were asked to send original birth & marriage certificate with our passport and then received them all back together with the visa.

Originally Posted by drbabe

Another thing, my husband contacted his cell phone provider and was only able to get his phone bills dating back six months ( to show all his phonecalls to me). Do you think if we explain this to them it will be perceived as something reasonable in DR? (btw, we have been together 3 years but didnt gather that evidence previously unfortunately).

When we submitted our application, we included a letter explaining how we communicated and what was included as proof of that communication (phone bills, calling cards, emails, chat logs). In our case, we used calling cards when it was cheaper and then direct calling when that became cheaper. We explained that and we were never questioned about it. Immigration is looking to see ongoing communication and in particular ongoing communication after your wedding.

Originally Posted by drbabe

Maybe it is just me but I find the paperwork quite unclear in parts and not very clear instructions. One example, they ask for details of all their siblings and clearly state "whether or not they will be joining them in Canada". No, none of his will, so is it sufficient to just provide their names, DOB's, addresses?

If something is not applicable, put N/A. My husbands siblings are all much older than him and definitely never coming to Canada. We just put their names, DOB's and addresses.

Originally Posted by drbabe

Any other pointers ?

The best advice I can give is to proof read your application many times. Definitely include a letter of explanation wherever appropriate, especially when you feel the vagueness of the application question does not exactly match your personal situation. Include good quality proof of the development of your relationship as well as your time together since your marriage. This is your one shot to show them who you are as a couple and to prove you have a legitimate relationship based on love.



Good Luck!
Sangria

[Johana]

drbabe,

I know everyone wants to be a step ahead of immigration and not give them reason to ask for additional documents which delays the process...but you won't know what they might ask for next.
I sent a copy of our marriage cert. as I had only brought one home and the app only asked for a copy. I sent an original birth cert. for my husband as he had extra - he got asked for an original of the marriage cert and a copy of he birth cert.!!!

I would also make sure your application is well organized - all forms and documents are in order (use the checklist). Everyone has there own way for the proof of relationship - my example is that I wrote a table of contents and listed exactly what was being included. And then had all those documents in that exact order. I know Lexi used a file folder with coloured dividers to keep everything organized and easy to find.

As Sangria mentions read - reread and read the application over again. And yes there is one small mention in the guideline for fillng it out that all questions must be answered even if it just with N/A even if it doesn't exactly look there there is a spot for it.

I had starting putting check marks on my document checklist and then noticed the top said to mark with an X - I printed a new form and made X's - I didn't want someone stopping to look at the little things - like this person can't even fill out the form as requested - I wanted them interested in the content of our application.

I know I would be annoyed if I got some haphazzard application and had to spend time sorting it before I could start the processing. And if I was already having a bad day what kind of mindset that might put me in against these 2 people that are nothing more than words on paper. I know that the process should be objective but there has to be some personal subjectivity in these decisions - as we've seen with recent interviews and subsequent denials seemingly before the interview was even set.

When writing the answers or putting in the proof think of someone that does not know either of you and they will decide your fate - what do you think would most likely get them to see the genuineness of your relationship? Every one has different proof as no two relationships are the same - so don't stress if someone says "I sent this" and you don't have that. You can only work with what you have for your relationship and what you think will best represent yourselves. Some people will say it's the quantity of items others will say it's the quality of the items. I think it's what best represents your relationship.

Hope that helps and best of luck!!!!!! You'll be happy you started posting here - this forum has gotten many a person (including myself) through the process with the support of very great and knowledgable people

[drbabe]

Thanks all for your encouraging words and the trouble and time taken to reply, advice and warmth...it is nice to know that support is available.

[tink23]

I have a question re: baptismal certificates. Is a baptismal certificate necessary if we have a valid birth certificate that was issued at the time of birth?
Thanks.

[sangria]

Originally Posted by tink23

I have a question re: baptismal certificates. Is a baptismal certificate necessary if we have a valid birth certificate that was issued at the time of birth?
Thanks.

Baptismal certificates are usually only required when the birth is registered more than 90 days after the baby is born.

[Sweetkiwi]

I just had a horrible sinking sensation as I was reading this. I don't think I filled in the information about his brothers and sisters- I must have read it wrong! I remember thinking that form had to do with children and as he doesn't have any, I must have overlooked it! I can't verify right now because my copies are at my office at work. Worst case scenario- I didn't include the info about his siblings- what can I do? Should i re-do that form and send it in? I don't have a b-file number yet, but I do have a client id. Are we going to be considered liars now??? OMG!!!

[Barbie38]

The form you are referring to asked you to list his parents, children and siblings on it. We did our best to answer as my husband has some half-siblings he doesn't have contact with and doesn't know their date of birth or address. The biggest issue with this form is if you ever decided to sponsor his parents or nieces/nephews of his siblings and you didn't declare that he has any. At least that is my understanding of the form. Not sure what to suggest you do at this point because he would need to sign it. There are a few posts about PAP requesting people to sign a form stating they don't have any children different from the one you are referring to, so maybe you will be contacted to complete that form. I can't remember what it was but if you check on the 'completed' and 'uncompleted' timelines you may find reference to it.

Don't panic, it will get sorted out. You could also call CIC and clarify the form and then if necessary send it in.

[kacy]

if you did not fill this form out at all then they will contact you and advise you its been omitted.

as for filling in info - draw a line and indicate not applicable whenever something doesn't apply - then there's no doubt you considered it - if you think you need to explain why it doens't apply, then do so.

as for originals or copies - we included both a copy and an original and have had no issues with this, along with the translated copy. I too used the checklist and first put checkmarks until I realized it said "x"s and then redid it to be sure. you want to make sure its reviewed carefully. Then I put the photos chronologically and included the description and date on the back and the people included. Then I made sure that all matched the info in my application. I also then did a seperate bundle for telephone bills, and another plane tickets and vacation information, another for wedding information and another for miscellaneous things such as financial combinations, life insurance policies and RRSP's where I made my husband the beneficiary.
For our interview we obtained a baptism certificate and additional copies of every other document included and evidence that we didn't have in the original application that we have now - that way if they ask for it we have it on hand.

Double check that the dates on forms are correct - if the birth was registered late you will need the baptism, also make sure the dates are correct and there are no mispellings so you can correct these at the consulate before submitting (it will delay your application if IC notices it) - back in the day a lot of documents had errors because the record keeping wasn't the best - so it happens.

and then comb through this site dont' panic if people have things included in their's that you didn't. Its your story.

Good luck!