I've been meanin to write a post on my personal experience with all of this.
Application received in Mississauga date: December 4th, 2017
Location of Principal Applicant (city): Karachi
Sponsoring husband or wife: Wife
Sponsor Approval Date: Feb, 9th, 2018
Application in Process date: March 23rd, 2018
Medical Completed date: Feb 18th, 2018
Rukhsati Ceremony Performed (Y/N): Y
Decision Made Date: June 26th, 2018
Passport Request Date: June 28th, 2018
Let me try and give you guys a few key points which I found unusual/fascinating and learned it from the internet. I hired a lawyer not knowing Lawyers are scumbags but in my case he's one of the nicest people I've met. He's humble and very detailed. He made me run around and made sure our package looks close to PERFECT when I was missing some documents. He said 90% of his clients dont even get Additional Document requests except for some communications probably. Which might be Lawyer BS anyways...lets stay on topic. I met my wife 2 days before the wedding for the first time and stayed in Pakistan for 1 week post wedding. This is somethin I was afraid of as I thought I don't have a very strong case.
We made a nice big package and the main concern for us Pakistanis (unfortunately) is to prove our marriage is legit. So my lawyer was very detailed and informed about London Visa Office and everything.
- I sent about
900 pictures. I am not sure why everyone on internet is so anal about all of this. I personally did not meet anyone I know who sent less than 400 pictures though my lawyer. From pre wedding days to post wedding. Nikkah, Rukhsati pictures. Make sure both faces are visible in Nikkah pictures. Bride and Groom and you guys are surrounded by a bunch of people. In any and every picture possible. Pictures of Rukhsati is a must, with someone holdin Quran on dulhan's head. Send pictures post wedding and walima. Gatherings with family. Print out every single Selfie for all they care!
- Get
EVERYTHING translated into English. Nikkah Nama, CNIC CARD, Birth Certificates...hell even Bank card if it has Urdu writing on it. I rem translating my wife's CNIC card to Urdu cause my lawyer said Just get it done. Dont question anythin on internet, just get EVERYTHING translated and ready in your package.
- Collect all bills and receipts from the wedding preparations and afterwards (hall booking, jewellery, clothes, hotel stay, catering, photography, etc) and add it in your package.
- You
MUST include
Social Media updates. Profile pictures should be of you two. If from the wedding, even better. Whatever family or friends comment, make sure to attach those screenshots in the communication proof. Both
Facebook and Instagram. Make sure dates and comments are visible. They will investigate this during Background check.
- Send Additional Documents voluntarily every
20-30 days since March 23rd 2018. Updating them with my communication, video calls, facetime, phone logs, whatsapp conversations, money I transferred, gifts I bought. A big Plus was I visited my wife during our process and I made a separate document highlighting boarding pass, ticket to Pakistan, pictures from the trip, bills, etc. My lawyer said this is a
MUST.
- Once file is transferred to LVO, email LVO every month (in the form of additional documents) as well as inquiring about your process. 2 emails a month I sent.
I was never asked for any additional documents. This is somethin I dont see on the internet. So whoever is on the side of
DO NOT SEND ANY DOCUMENTS UNTIL ASKED might be bad advice
?
I see a some people making judgemental comments and giving very bad advice to the new people here and Facebook group. Some of us are quite in the eye and popular when it comes to making negative comments about the process and Immigration system of Canada on Facebook (or so I noticed). Keep in mind just in case there is that
ONE or more employees from LVO who is reading all these comments can really make a big impact on your case. I am just looking out for you guys to be making any negative moves. We have NO idea what can make ANY sort of an impact on our cases. So please be careful and make positive comments, spread positive energy
Again I can only speak for myself and there is no right or wrong. Every case is different.
I hope and pray everyone gets their solution to this separation soon.
Ameen.