A few more questions!

[nyssa]

Sorry, I feel like I'm asking so many!! I'm sure everyone here is now or once was just as confused and panic-stricken as I am now. We have a genuine relationship, no question. Here's what I'm going to explain to CIC (well, the summary of it):

1. Can you advise me if this is all right?

"My husband and I met on a journal website in 2003. He was 15 and I was 16. Since he was a minor, he had been living in the US without status. We started dating in 2007, which started over instant messaging. I moved to his state to live with him, and then he moved to my state to live with me (each a duration of a year). In April 2009 we took a trip with his family to Canada for his sister's wedding, but he was denied entry back, so is now living in Canada. This tore our love apart, so we decided to get married in October (I believe this is going to be our wedding date now, we want to have our friends and family attend, even if it is still going to be a small wedding) and file for my permanent residency immediately, so we can be a family."

2. What exactly needs to be notorized? The sponsorship and applicant forms? Or everything-- supporting (phone bills, pictures, etc.)?

3. Do we need these cover letters of sorts stating why we want to be together, how our love is genuine and continuing? Isn't that what's on the Sponorship/Applicant Questionare? If so, how does that work? where does that fit when organizing the documents?

4. His full name is X XX XXX XXXX. (first, 2 middles, last). In the US he went by X XX XXX (dropped last name, kept mother's maiden name, which is second middle name). So all of EVERYTHING we have together doesn't mention his last name. How can where can that be clarified? Is that going to be an issue? (I'm going to see if his mom can obtain his school records, also without his last name, from the US. I don't know if that will help or not.)

5. How do the letters of support work? From what I understand, the person writes their name, signature, birth date, phone number, address and how they're related. And about how they know us, things about us, that they approve of our love and marriage. Is this correct? Is there a certain form for this? Does it need to be in a certain format? Notaraized?

6. Based on all this. Here's what we have. Pictures of when we were dating and some trips that span our relationship. Letters from family and friends confirming our love. My phone text messages. Telephone bills with his phone number on it while he was living with me and my family (unfortunately though, it's under my dad's name because again... no legal status) and now telephone bills of me calling Canada, really. I have two Western Union receipts. But that's it... no chat records, no e-mails (never had a reason to send them), no letters... some cards from relatives, though. No way to keep record of chatting on XBOX Live which we do every night since he's been gone (since May). Can this all be easily explained, or is this too much of an unfortunate red flag? We have nothing to prove we were living together (no joint bills). The first place was under our friend's name only, and then we've been living with my parents. Now his new apartment is in his mom's name too! Please advise.

I would like to add also, I have a lot of MySpace messages from him and family and friends mentioning him BEFORE we were living together. (Living together is where we lack things like e-mails and letters). Would I group them into a seperate folder? I guess it shows how we communicated before living together... if that counts!



Again, thank you. This forum is a blessing. As always, I wish all of you the best of luck with your applications. Hopefully all of us will be accepted and return to our loved ones as soon as possible.

 

[mitamata]

You really can come up with a lot of them. Hehe

1. Where were you going to write this? There is a question at the end of the questionnaire form ("On a seperate sheet of paper, provide any additional details ... ), I'm assuming you meant it for that. And I'm going to guess that is the summary of the short version.
I wrote a 2.5 pages long letter for this and in it was the summary of my 5 year relationship with my husband. This is a great place to explain not only the facts, but also the circumstances. So for example, I would write something like "We met on a journal website in 2003. We occasionally commented on eachother's journal and became friends. We kept in touch, talking using instant messages. We weren't looking for a relationship, but during the summer of 2007 we realised we had developed feelings for each other and decided to attempt a relationship. We continued to talk over instant messages, whenever time would permit it. At the time, we were both college students and luckily our class schedules allowed us plenty of free time and we were able to spend many hours talking each day. Unfortunately, at the time we had not thought too far ahead and hadn't kept any records of our conversations, we never considered they would be needed for immigration purposes. .... "
Obviously I just made that up, but I hope you see where I'm getting at. Make them see the whole picture. The forms are enough to provide post of the facts, this is where you get to mention the things that you can't put on the forms and show them you're a human being, not just some facts on paper.

2. None of the forms need to be notarized. You might need to notarize any court papers you were submitting, such as custody papers or the like, but I don't think you have anything like that.

3. See my answer to #1. You don't have to write a lot about how you love each other and any mushy stuff, but do try to work some feelings into that letter.
You would attach this to the end of the questionnaire form, a paperclip will do. On every paper you attach to any form, write the form number at the top of the page, so they know where it belongs if it gets separated. And to be safe, also write your name and date of birth on it, so it doesn't get lost.

4. I don't think it's going to be an issue. Write a note with the supporting documents, explaining the differences between names and I'm sure it'll be enough.

5. You don't have to submit letters of support. They're not mandatory. We had none, we felt the rest of our evidence was strong enough. If you decide to include them: there's no set form or format. Just have the person write a letter, stating what they know about your relationship and how they're certain you're commited to each other or whatever. It's really up to the person writing it.

6. If you're marrying in October, you still have some time to generate relationship proof. I'd recommend you switch to another messenger, something that keeps a history. Whatever you choose, make sure the logging is turned on so you can submit the logs. Have you tried Skype? It's been working great for us.
Keep in mind, you dont' have to prove every single part of your relationship. So if you can't really prove you were living together, that's ok. Just submit what you have, even if it isn't solid proof. The most important part is proving you have a genuine, continuing relationship, not every detail from its past. By the time you're ready to apply, you'll also have wedding pictures, cards from family saying congratulations, ...
Also, don't forget, you can also submit evidence from other people. For example, my mother-in-law has been sending me christmas cards for a few years. I included copies of those. If you have any emails or letters to or from other people, in which you mention your relationship, you can include those as well.

I have no doubt that with as long as you've been together, you will be able to provide enough evidence about your relationship and your application will not have any issues.

 

[nyssa]

=]

Mitamata you continue to lend such great support to us! THANK YOU! You went above and beyond in your response, and I am talking to my fiancee right now, sharing the info!

He does not have his own computer... or else we would use Skype. He had been using other peoples' in the past to communicate. I was thinking originally... maybe my parents, his mom and our friend could confirm on an additional sheet of paper that we were living with them from date a to date b, etc. But maybe that's a little over the top?

No court papers of any kind. We're both young and never married (at this point, until it's to each other!) And you're very right when you said "Unfortunately, at the time we had not thought too far ahead and hadn't kept any records of our conversations, we never considered they would be needed for immigration purposes". Yeah... we thought his US citizenship stuff would have gone through ages ago! Unfortunately, this wasn't the case, and now we're ready to move onto the next stage of our lives together.

 

[mitamata]

Few people who start a relationship over the internet consider they might need records for immigration purposes. I knew from the start that if things worked out, I would be moving to Canada and I never would've thought to keep records for immigration's sake. Who would've guessed I'd need to submit so much evidence? I didn't find out about this till we were together for almost 4 years already.
Luckily though, I was a tad obsessed with my man at the time we started out, so I did keep all chat records. I used to read them over and over again. Haha! My husband always mocked me for keeping them all, but they sure came in handy now!

Hmmm, it's unfortunate he doesn't have a computer. Records that you communicate daily would be very helpful. What are the odds he'd be willing to sell his Xbox and put the money towards a cheap computer? Heh, my husband would pass out if I told him he had to give up one of his gaming consoles xD

If you're going to have letters of support, then your parents and friend can write there that you both lived with them and when. Since you don't have any proof that you actually live there, that would probably be a good idea.

You're most welcome dear. I had a bunch of questions others answered for me in the past, I feel obligated to pass on the courtesy

 

[nyssa]

Hehe, I too kept a bunch of records from BEFORE we moved in together for the same reason!! =]

Ahah, sounds like your man and I would get along famously. I couldn't ask him to sell his XBOX, but I'm hoping our phone records and text messages (daily, and I'm hoping I can upload them on the computer) will help instead! Plus we'll be visiting each other every couple of months... so LOTS of pictures!!!

There's proof I've lived in these locations, but not him... but yeah, I'm glad you agree with my idea, the support REALLY helps!

He just got a job today (only been in Canada for a few weeks!) and that combined with your confirmations/suggestions/support have made this day a better one.

Many, many thanks. I too will and try to now (when I know the answers!!) pass on the courtesy. This forum has saved me thousands in lawyer fees I predict... I feel a lot more confident. I'm glad the final questions I have now are minor ones, that makes me feel better concerning whether or not to hire a lawyer. =]

 

[Neural]

вам же гражданство ничего не стоит сделать.. ложите в карман.. я сажусь в самолет и улетаю в Канаду.. и Я и Раша больше никогда не пересекаемся.. ну может быть еще в рамках разводки...

вы можете свалить все на Ц.. типа это все они.. а-а-а ну да..

я заработал, чтобы остаток жизни проваляться на пляже у моря с океаном (на разных морях и океанах).. и у меня на дороге стоит только обиженно-обпуканый кгб..

 

[mitamata]

Neural, most of us here can't read Cyrillic

 

[nyssa]

Hmm... what do you think about obtaining his school records? It would prove he went by the other name and also that he went to school and was in the US. Just a thought.

 

[mitamata]

When in comes to supporting documents, too much is better than too little, so if you can obtain them without too much grief, go for it. They certainly can't hurt.

 

[nyssa]

=]

Thank you! Having a second opinion always helps. I'm going to try and see if his mom can get a hold of them. If not, it will be fine too, but at least I know I tried! I'm feeling much better now, especially compared to when I first got on these forums!! I first felt so overwhelmed, but with your help (everyone!) I'm actually optimistic now.

The thing is, our relationship is as genuine as can be, therefore I have nothing to hide. I keep thinking about that, and I feel much better about this situation. I think in the end, those who really love each other will always find a way. I hope all of us will be reunited with our loved ones!