Advice for somewhat unusual situation

[nb8285]

Dear forum readers,

I'm applying for Can citizenship and need your advice as to whether i should send any additional documentation than what is required because I think my situation is somewhat unusual.

My situation is the following:

Basic residence: 1335 days
Days absent: 215 days (mostly due to one six-months backpacking trip with my Canadian citizen spouse)
Physical presence: 1120
- I came to Canada via spousal sponsorship
- I'm married to a Canadian citizen who has been a citizen since 2002
- I don't have a full-time job and work part-time in my spouse's incorporated company
- I have a 6-months long absence from Canada to my home country (for backpacking) but I was with my Canadian spouse and can prove it
- I live with my in-laws (close knit family), i.e. i don't have a house or lease in my name

Given this situation, would it be prudent to send some additional docs in anticipation of a request from CIC for additional info? Obviously, the 6-months trip to my home country (where my parents are) would be a potential red flag so I should try to put to rest any doubts before they arise, no? I don't want there to be any doubts about my "ties" to Canada. My spouse, in-laws, spouse's sister/husband/kids are all here and are Canadian citizens.

There are 2 schools of thought here:

1) don't send any additional documents otherwise it looks suspicious
2) send additional docs before they ask for it via RQ

I'm not sure what to do and if (1), then what additional docs to send... credit card statements, bank account statements, etc?

Thanks much for your inputs!

 

[thecoolguysam]

Hello,

There is no evidence that sending extra documents avoids RQ. It does not hurt either if you send additional documents.
Just be few pages rather than big bundle.

Just remember, if RQ is bound to happen, then regardless of whatever extra you send in the initial application, you would be asked to resubmit it again with additional more documentation. There are various factors that play role in getting RQ. Overall application assessment by the citizenship officer will decide whether RQ is required or not.

You can attach a cover letter as well with the application to provide some additional details if you want.
Also, when you fill online residence calculator, mention that you were accompanying your spouse who is a canadian citizen.

Just remember, time spent with canadian spouse outside canada does not count towards citizenship residency days.

Also, if your job was a part time, it should not be a problem unless you can't prove it during the test/interview or if RQ has been issued.
Also, living at your inlaws house should not be a problem, however, make sure that you have some kind of bills on your name to prove your residence at your inlaws place like cellphone/utility bill etc which might be asked during test/interview or with RQ.
Make sure you all all your NOA, T4s etc.

The bottom line is that you should be saving all your documentation in case you get RQ.

I wish you good luck for your application and feel free to ask any questions you might have. We have very knowledgeable people and seniors in this forum who can assist you further.

 

[nb8285]

Thank you!

How do I prove that my job was part-time? I suppose one look at my NOAs will make it obvious (low salary, 10K in 2011, 15K in 2012 and 18K in 2013). Do you think its a good idea to send my NOAs for the last 3 years? I don't think income should be an issue at least for citizenship? Spouse's income is good and is already a Canadian citizen (since 2002).

I have done some volunteering and taken German language courses; I will be submitting a volunteer experience letter and copies of certificates from the language courses that I took.

I know time spent abroad with Canadian citizen spouse doesn't count towards citizenship residency days, but it does help alleviate any questions regarding the status of my PR. I have over 1120 physical presence days in Canada.

I guess the key here is to keep it simple, but at the same time I don't want to over simply things that are NOT simple...

 

[thecoolguysam]

Thank you!

How do I prove that my job was part-time? I suppose one look at my NOAs will make it obvious (low salary, 10K in 2011, 15K in 2012 and 18K in 2013). Do you think its a good idea to send my NOAs for the last 3 years? I don't think income should be an issue at least for citizenship? Spouse's income is good and is already a Canadian citizen (since 2002).

I have done some volunteering and taken German language courses; I will be submitting a volunteer experience letter and copies of certificates from the language courses that I took.

I know time spent abroad with Canadian citizen spouse doesn't count towards citizenship residency days, but it does help alleviate any questions regarding the status of my PR. I have over 1120 physical presence days in Canada.

I guess the key here is to keep it simple, but at the same time I don't want to over simply things that are NOT simple...

You don't need to write that you were working part time. Just mention your employment/education history for relevant past 4 years in the work/education section and also address history for past 4 years in the addresses section. Its upto you if you would like to add additional documents like T4, NOA etc.

If you think adding NOA will support you application to show your residential ties, then go for it. However, low income can be indication that either you were not employed full time or were unemployed or away outside Canada which may or may not trigger RQ.

Also, if your initial application is not solid enough to support your case then do add additional documents else make it simple.

If you are still in doubt, just try spending couple of hundred dollars and seek advise with a immigration lawyer. This is the best suggestion I can give

 

[basharar]

Don't send anything extra, but have everything with you for the test interview.

 

[wilbur]

I've mentioned this several times before: send only what is asked in the checklist and the guide, no more, no less.

 

[nb8285]

@wilbur - i agree with not sending extra docs if the case is straightforward and simple, but what if the case is a bit complicated and not so straightforward? Sending some extra docs to help clarify a situation or put to rest any potential doubts can surely not harm the applicant?

If an RQ is in the cards then nothing will stop it, but I don't think it's wise to not send extra docs relevant to a particular complexity when you know things are not so simple... comments?

 

[eileenf]

nb8285, actually I don't believe any of your complications are particularly complicated or unusual. PRs are allowed to travel, not required to work full, part time or at all and many immigrants and non-immigrants live with their in laws. None of these is a known or likely RQ trigger.

Sending extra documents won't help or hurt your case, so do what you feel best about.

Personally, I urge caution about sending private financial and personal legal documents out into the world unnecessarily.

 

[wilbur]

@ wilbur - i agree with not sending extra docs if the case is straightforward and simple, but what if the case is a bit complicated and not so straightforward? Sending some extra docs to help clarify a situation or put to rest any potential doubts can surely not harm the applicant?

If an RQ is in the cards then nothing will stop it, but I don't think it's wise to not send extra docs relevant to a particular complexity when you know things are not so simple... comments?

Send what you think is good, I just think that there is a guide and a checklist for a reason, if they require more information CIC will ask for it, and if there is something suspicious then CIC will issue a RQ regardless of all documents you sent.

I also agree that your case doesn't look particularly complicated or irregular, but it is up to you. This forum should be use to share opinions, if you want to send a lot of documents because you think it is better for your case do so, time will tell what is correct.

Cheers

 

[RussCan]

Dear forum readers,

I'm applying for Can citizenship and need your advice as to whether i should send any additional documentation than what is required because I think my situation is somewhat unusual.

My situation is the following:

Basic residence: 1335 days
Days absent: 215 days (mostly due to one six-months backpacking trip with my Canadian citizen spouse)
Physical presence: 1120
- I came to Canada via spousal sponsorship
- I'm married to a Canadian citizen who has been a citizen since 2002
- I don't have a full-time job and work part-time in my spouse's incorporated company
- I have a 6-months long absence from Canada to my home country (for backpacking) but I was with my Canadian spouse and can prove it
- I live with my in-laws (close knit family), i.e. i don't have a house or lease in my name

Given this situation, would it be prudent to send some additional docs in anticipation of a request from CIC for additional info? Obviously, the 6-months trip to my home country (where my parents are) would be a potential red flag so I should try to put to rest any doubts before they arise, no? I don't want there to be any doubts about my "ties" to Canada. My spouse, in-laws, spouse's sister/husband/kids are all here and are Canadian citizens.

There are 2 schools of thought here:

1) don't send any additional documents otherwise it looks suspicious
2) send additional docs before they ask for it via RQ

I'm not sure what to do and if (1), then what additional docs to send... credit card statements, bank account statements, etc?

Thanks much for your inputs!

I agree with Eileenf, by and large. When I was applying with my family I wrote one pager stating my case. Even though my case was more or less straight forward with most browny points in, I still felt like sending as much additional info as possible including even house taxes slips. Whilst I cannot tout the benefits of this approach in speeding up the processing, unfortunately, (it has been one year and 2 months almost so far), I have not received RQ which is encouraging