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If you choose Manila, CIC might still decide to process it in Abu Dhabi, in which case they will then request the missing documents. In any case, you will have to send in the proof that you will be returning to Canada from the UAE.

In other words, it might delay things if you only send in what is asked for for the Manila office.

Where it just says a photocopy, I think a non-notarized one will be OK. However, there are places where it does not specify, in which case you should get a notarized copy. It looks like your wife's birth certificate and your marriage certificate at least should be notarized copies.
 
Thanks. I guess to play it safe I should just do the UAE one.

For item 2, Identity and Civil Status Documents, it says:

  • birth certificate
    baptismal certificate, or
    other official document...

Do we only need to send one of the above 3?

It then asks for any family member who is a Canadian citizen... send a photocopy of their citizenship certificate.. does that include me, as her family member being her spouse, or was that referring to siblings, parents etc.

Section 4 - travel documents and passports. It just mentions photocopies, I guess these can be strictly photocopies without being notarized?

Under section 5; Provide Proof of Relationship to Sponsor, are they asking for original photos (our pics were taken on iPhones), original airline tickets, boarding passes, basically any evidence you are in a relationship? So if I send screenshots of chat messages from when we first met would that suffice? Keep in mind these are all digital, so I'd need to print them out.
 
For 2, one of those mentioned should be enough. I'd send in her birth certificate if possible.
Family member in CIC forms refers to spouse and dependent children. If the sponsor has any of the things mentioned, I would send it in. If not (because you were born Canadian, for example) either send a copy of your birth certificate or passport info page.
For section 4, since they say photocopies, I believe they do not have to be notarized.
For the proof of the relationship, it does look like they want originals if possible. The things you mentioned are good evidence. Unless you don't have much other evidence, don't send screen shots of all your messages - a selection spanning your relationship will be enough. You can mention that you have more if the visa officer wants to see it.
 
I'm sorry, my info was conflicting with everybody else's. I just wrote what I did. I assumed I'd be processed through LVO being a UK citizen so followed the guidelines for the UK. I was processed through ADVO but for me, it wasn't an issue that I didn't have all the UAE specific stuff.
 
@canadianwoman, I'm still not entirely clear on the family member section.

I'm the sponsor and my wife is the one I'm sponsoring. She doesn't have kids or dependents and neither do I. I wasn't born Canadian, I'm a naturalized Canadian citizen. So would I still need to send across a copy of my passport or birth certificate?
 
You need to send a copy as part of the sponsor's documents, so yes.
 
Since you are a naturalized Canadian, then yes, send one of the documents they asked for. They don't mean her parents or other relatives.
 
Sorry I still aren't 100% clear on this line "family member who is a Canadian citizen... send a photocopy of their citizenship certificate.."

I'm more than happy to send across a photocopy of my citizenship certificate, but does that line refer to me since I'm her husband and hence a family member?

Since it says 'photocopy', would you assume this means strictly photocopy and not a notarized photocopy?
 
I would send it. Even if it ends up that the visa officer does not think it refers to you, having sent it in will not hurt the application.
A photocopy should be fine.
 
You have to send a copy as part of your sponsor's checklist, so there is no need to send it twice.
 
For the sponsor's checklist, out of the 5 items, I'll send across a photocopy of my passport.

I'm assuming it's only one of those 5 that needs to be sent?

In that case, the photocopy of my citizenship certificate will go along with country-specific documents.