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Why are people going over the 20 picture limit?

alvero

Star Member
Jan 29, 2018
67
4
On the IMM 5533 checklist, it clearly states that a maximum of 20 pictures supporting the relationship of the PA and SA (for spousal sponsorship) must be submitted. Some people on the forums have openly admitted to submitting more pictures despite the requirement. Will submitting more pictures result in a refusal? Because I don't think its fair for others to submit more pictures and have a VO tolerate that while others strictly follow the requirements. I have heard they shred the rest, but I don't know if that is the case exactly after they look at 20 pictures, so will submitting 5-10 more pictures be a problem?
 
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Belarusian

Hero Member
Sep 3, 2019
899
444
On the IMM 5533 checklist, it clearly states that a maximum of 20 pictures supporting the relationship of the PA and SA (for spousal sponsorship) must be submitted. Some people on the forums have openly admitted to submitting more pictures despite the requirement. Will submitting more pictures result in a refusal? Because I don't think its fair for others to submit more pictures and have a VO tolerate that while others strictly follow the requirements. I have heard they shred the rest, but I don't know if that is the case exactly after they look at 20 pictures, so will submitting 5-10 more pictures be a problem?
if IRCC need more photos they will ask to send additional photos or documents!
 
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namratha_s

Hero Member
Sep 17, 2014
406
82
On the IMM 5533 checklist, it clearly states that a maximum of 20 pictures supporting the relationship of the PA and SA (for spousal sponsorship) must be submitted. Some people on the forums have openly admitted to submitting more pictures despite the requirement. Will submitting more pictures result in a refusal? Because I don't think its fair for others to submit more pictures and have a VO tolerate that while others strictly follow the requirements. I have heard they shred the rest, but I don't know if that is the case exactly after they look at 20 pictures, so will submitting 5-10 more pictures be a problem?
It doesn't matter. I prepared a word document of 15 pages including 107 pictures with a story of how we met and till submission of file. mine was arrange marriage so had to, thas wat my lawyer suggested.
 

canuck_in_uk

VIP Member
May 4, 2012
31,553
7,205
Visa Office......
London
App. Filed.......
06/12
On the IMM 5533 checklist, it clearly states that a maximum of 20 pictures supporting the relationship of the PA and SA (for spousal sponsorship) must be submitted. Some people on the forums have openly admitted to submitting more pictures despite the requirement. Will submitting more pictures result in a refusal? Because I don't think its fair for others to submit more pictures and have a VO tolerate that while others strictly follow the requirements. I have heard they shred the rest, but I don't know if that is the case exactly after they look at 20 pictures, so will submitting 5-10 more pictures be a problem?
Some people are simply incapable of following instructions. Best case scenario, it annoys the VO. Worst case, it pisses them off, delays that app, they refuse to look at the additional photos and throw them out. If the thrown out photos were key to proving a genuine relationship, oh well.
 

AutumnSkies

Hero Member
May 31, 2019
360
267
I’ll admit I’ve raised an eyebrow a few times over the same thing, and not just with the photos but other parts of the application as well. If they want more information you can be sure they will ask for it.

My husband and I followed the checklist and the amount of info they wanted exactly as it was written and our application was successful.

I think sometimes people forget quality over quantity.
 

namratha_s

Hero Member
Sep 17, 2014
406
82
I’ll admit I’ve raised an eyebrow a few times over the same thing, and not just with the photos but other parts of the application as well. If they want more information you can be sure they will ask for it.

My husband and I followed the checklist and the amount of info they wanted exactly as it was written and our application was successful.

I think sometimes people forget quality over quantity.
Some people are simply incapable of following instructions. Best case scenario, it annoys the VO. Worst case, it pisses them off, delays that app, they refuse to look at the additional photos and throw them out. If the thrown out photos were key to proving a genuine relationship, oh well.
I asked the same question with my lawyer and she was like doesn't matter. i dono how it goes. when i applied myself i strictly stuck to 20 photos but then i got my documents back for some reason. so i have 15 pages of word document with 107 pics. lol
 

alvero

Star Member
Jan 29, 2018
67
4
I asked the same question with my lawyer and she was like doesn't matter. i dono how it goes. when i applied myself i strictly stuck to 20 photos but then i got my documents back for some reason. so i have 15 pages of word document with 107 pics. lol
Why was your application returned?
 

namratha_s

Hero Member
Sep 17, 2014
406
82
They should have left indications in the returned application as to why it was returned. I highly doubt it was because of ‘only 20 photos’
obviously not because of 20 pictures.

Lawyer was like files were updated, but i dont think so. then she said i missed to fill dependents which i did not have. so she was like you should have mentioned 'N/A' so i said i have no clue but these lawyer strictly wanted to upload more pics and narrate story. when i created a word document with 20 pics she asked me to add more pics. and thats how i added 107 and she wasnt satisfied. wanted to add more pictures.
 

DiiDii

Hero Member
Apr 8, 2019
927
594
Toronto Canada
Category........
FAM
Visa Office......
Kingston VO
App. Filed.......
01-23-2020
AOR Received.
02-06-2020
File Transfer...
23-01-2021
Med's Request
18-09-2020
Med's Done....
23-09-2020
Passport Req..
13-07-2021
obviously not because of 20 pictures.

Lawyer was like files were updated, but i dont think so. then she said i missed to fill dependents which i did not have. so she was like you should have mentioned 'N/A' so i said i have no clue but these lawyer strictly wanted to upload more pics and narrate story. when i created a word document with 20 pics she asked me to add more pics. and thats how i added 107 and she wasnt satisfied. wanted to add more pictures.
When people ask you why your application was returned. The answer is because I did not answer the dependants question with an N/A. That was why your application was returned. Not because of anything to do with pictures. You're basically paying a lawyer for 'N/A'
 

alvero

Star Member
Jan 29, 2018
67
4
obviously not because of 20 pictures.

Lawyer was like files were updated, but i dont think so. then she said i missed to fill dependents which i did not have. so she was like you should have mentioned 'N/A' so i said i have no clue but these lawyer strictly wanted to upload more pics and narrate story. when i created a word document with 20 pics she asked me to add more pics. and thats how i added 107 and she wasnt satisfied. wanted to add more pictures.
Interesting. I don’t think lawyers would have “insider” knowledge so I am surprised she recommended that especially since the requirement is bold and clear. I wouldn’t have time to sift through hundreds of pictures per applicant—maybe thats why the waiting times are so long :rolleyes: Regardless, good luck.

In general though I think where you should put N/A versus a blank answer should be made explicit. There is a lot of ambiguity and mismatch between the complete guide and the forms.
 

namratha_s

Hero Member
Sep 17, 2014
406
82
Interesting. I don’t think lawyers would have “insider” knowledge so I am surprised she recommended that especially since the requirement is bold and clear. I wouldn’t have time to sift through hundreds of pictures per applicant—maybe thats why the waiting times are so long :rolleyes: Regardless, good luck.

In general though I think where you should put N/A versus a blank answer should be made explicit. There is a lot of ambiguity and mismatch between the complete guide and the forms.
True

but my file got processed in 2 months :)