confused and stressed out regarding spouse sponsorship, please give your opinion

[Luv4all88]

So basically I'm Canadian citizen and sponsoring my wife from Pakistan. I just saw a lawyer who wants 8.5k to do my application, but the thing is I already took time off and prepared my application in the last few weeks. Reason to see the lawyer was to get opinion on my marriage pics (which she didn't give) because we just had a very simple ceremony at the house of my wife's parents, like basically in the living room you can say, and I have minimal pics, quality is normal, me and other guests are not dressed accordingly except my wife, and only few family and relatives attended. Even my dad isn't in them even though he participated but wasn't around when couple of our family members clicked the photos.
Now this isn't arranged marriage, we are related and knew each other for 10 years before our marriage. The only reason for getting married this way was because I had a pain problem in my right leg and foot at that time due to disc extrusion, annular tear according to my mri. It was difficult to endure the pain, and it affected me emotionally, financially because when we got married, I only had couple thousand left in my 2 bank accounts, which I wanted to keep for my treatment.
During this time, I went to 5-6 places physio, foot, chiropractor clinics in Canada for treatment and when I couldn't get relief or MRI or pain specialist appointment here I went to Pakistan and had 3 mri, saw many pain specialists, had bunch of nerve blocks without much relief, this is when I felt I needed some support so we decided to marry. Couple months later, I had a pulsed radiofrequency procedure on my spine which fixed my problem. I have all the reports that I want to attach and My wife accompanied me to some of my hospital visits.
I am only worried because I don't know how much is the visa officer going to take this into account when looking at our marriage pics?
We're married for 2 years and have a daughter together who already has Canadian citizenship. I have financial support proofs, whatsapp calls and chats, gifts exchange, many pics of outings and pics at birthday event of our daughter with our families. Also have some evidence to show relationship prior to our marriage. I have Visited her twice, one of them was when daughter was born. All our documents are complete. Just worried that we had a very casual looking marriage, one other thing is my wife was previously divorced 2011-2012. I would appreciate if someone can give me your opinion how strong or weak my application looks?

 

[Ponga]

So basically I'm Canadian citizen and sponsoring my wife from Pakistan. I just saw a lawyer who wants 8.5k to do my application, but the thing is I already took time off and prepared my application in the last few weeks. Reason to see the lawyer was to get opinion on my marriage pics (which she didn't give) because we just had a very simple ceremony at the house of my wife's parents, like basically in the living room you can say, and I have minimal pics, quality is normal, me and other guests are not dressed accordingly except my wife, and only few family and relatives attended. Even my dad isn't in them even though he participated but wasn't around when couple of our family members clicked the photos.
Now this isn't arranged marriage, we are related and knew each other for 10 years before our marriage. The only reason for getting married this way was because I had a pain problem in my right leg and foot at that time due to disc extrusion, annular tear according to my mri. It was difficult to endure the pain, and it affected me emotionally, financially because when we got married, I only had couple thousand left in my 2 bank accounts, which I wanted to keep for my treatment.
During this time, I went to 5-6 places physio, foot, chiropractor clinics in Canada for treatment and when I couldn't get relief or MRI or pain specialist appointment here I went to Pakistan and had 3 mri, saw many pain specialists, had bunch of nerve blocks without much relief, this is when I felt I needed some support so we decided to marry. Couple months later, I had a pulsed radiofrequency procedure on my spine which fixed my problem. I have all the reports that I want to attach and My wife accompanied me to some of my hospital visits.
I am only worried because I don't know how much is the visa officer going to take this into account when looking at our marriage pics?
We're married for 2 years and have a daughter together who already has Canadian citizenship. I have financial support proofs, whatsapp calls and chats, gifts exchange, many pics of outings and pics at birthday event of our daughter with our families. Also have some evidence to show relationship prior to our marriage. I have Visited her twice, one of them was when daughter was born. All our documents are complete. Just worried that we had a very casual looking marriage, one other thing is my wife was previously divorced 2011-2012. I would appreciate if someone can give me your opinion how strong or weak my application looks?

In my opinion, you do not need to spend $8.5 k to do this! You can do this yourself if you: take your time; read as many relevant posts in theses forums as you can; ask questions when you can't find the answer(s) you need!

When you say that you are `related', are you comfortable elaborating on the relationship (is it by blood, for example)?

I don't understand this part:
The only reason for getting married this way was because I had a pain problem in my right leg and foot at that time due to disc extrusion, annular tear according to my mri.

That certainly doesn't seem to be a valid reason to get married, so you may have to provide substantial evidence that the marriage was NOT because of your pain.

Good luck!

 

[Luv4all88]

By related, she is the granddaughter of my paternal aunt. At the same time, we liked each other, talked on phone everyday and occasionally saw each other when I was in Pakistan.
When I said getting married this way because of pain, what I mean to say is at that time because of how the pain affected me emotionally, like I was frustrated, tired of seeing different doctors, painful injections without relief, didn't have much support except her, but we were just limited to phone most of the times, this is when I felt like I needed her most in my life, so that's when I talked about marrying in a simple ceremony because I didn't want to do all the necessary Pakistan/Indian wedding customs while I'm suffering in pain mentally and physically. In any case, I didn't have money for that.

 

[Ponga]

By related, she is the granddaughter of my paternal aunt. At the same time, we liked each other, talked on phone everyday and occasionally saw each other when I was in Pakistan.
When I said getting married this way because of pain, what I mean to say is at that time because of how the pain affected me emotionally, like I was frustrated, tired of seeing different doctors, painful injections without relief, didn't have much support except her, but we were just limited to phone most of the times, this is when I felt like I needed her most in my life, so that's when I talked about marrying in a simple ceremony because I didn't want to do all the necessary Pakistan/Indian wedding customs while I'm suffering in pain mentally and physically. In any case, I didn't have money for that.

So she is a distant cousin.

Not sure if you should volunteer the information regarding pain being a motivating factor in your application, but will defer to others to comment.

In terms of other evidence of your relationship, just send whatever you have, focusing on quality versus quantity. If IRCC wants/needs more details, they will ask before rendering a decision.

 

[Luv4all88]

The document checklist asks photos of your wedding, customary celebrations, engagement, and/or outings. Since it uses the phrase "or outings" can I just provide many of our outings, birthday pics and perhaps the visa officer would be satisfied and not ask about marriage day pics? this is my dilemma because if he is then going to ask for them, then I might as well send them with original submission.

 

[Ponga]

The document checklist asks photos of your wedding, customary celebrations, engagement, and/or outings. Since it uses the phrase "or outings" can I just provide many of our outings, birthday pics and perhaps the visa officer would be satisfied and not ask about marriage day pics? this is my dilemma because if he is then going to ask for them, then I might as well send them with original submission.

Yes. Send whatever helps to provide the genuine relationship/marriage, including foremost the photos from the living room ceremony in your in-law's house!

Oh...and don't assume that the visa officer will be a `he'.

 

[M32]

So basically I'm Canadian citizen and sponsoring my wife from Pakistan. I just saw a lawyer who wants 8.5k to do my application, but the thing is I already took time off and prepared my application in the last few weeks. Reason to see the lawyer was to get opinion on my marriage pics (which she didn't give) because we just had a very simple ceremony at the house of my wife's parents, like basically in the living room you can say, and I have minimal pics, quality is normal, me and other guests are not dressed accordingly except my wife, and only few family and relatives attended. Even my dad isn't in them even though he participated but wasn't around when couple of our family members clicked the photos.
Now this isn't arranged marriage, we are related and knew each other for 10 years before our marriage. The only reason for getting married this way was because I had a pain problem in my right leg and foot at that time due to disc extrusion, annular tear according to my mri. It was difficult to endure the pain, and it affected me emotionally, financially because when we got married, I only had couple thousand left in my 2 bank accounts, which I wanted to keep for my treatment.
During this time, I went to 5-6 places physio, foot, chiropractor clinics in Canada for treatment and when I couldn't get relief or MRI or pain specialist appointment here I went to Pakistan and had 3 mri, saw many pain specialists, had bunch of nerve blocks without much relief, this is when I felt I needed some support so we decided to marry. Couple months later, I had a pulsed radiofrequency procedure on my spine which fixed my problem. I have all the reports that I want to attach and My wife accompanied me to some of my hospital visits.
I am only worried because I don't know how much is the visa officer going to take this into account when looking at our marriage pics?
We're married for 2 years and have a daughter together who already has Canadian citizenship. I have financial support proofs, whatsapp calls and chats, gifts exchange, many pics of outings and pics at birthday event of our daughter with our families. Also have some evidence to show relationship prior to our marriage. I have Visited her twice, one of them was when daughter was born. All our documents are complete. Just worried that we had a very casual looking marriage, one other thing is my wife was previously divorced 2011-2012. I would appreciate if someone can give me your opinion how strong or weak my application looks?

please dont pay 8.5k for the lawyer he is ripping you off. Just apply yourself and trust your guts brother. Pray to god everything will go smooth. Your case is strong and dont worry about the photos. just provide as much photos as you can, and you already married for 2 years and you have a child. go ahead and apply without fear. Praying for you to get through this!

 

[Luv4all88]

thanks for your support, it means a lot. i hope i can send this in soon.

 

[Luv4all88]

Can our application be refused because of my medical documents? For ex can they say that since I had this condition 2 plus years ago, it may manifest again and I may not be able to support my family? Even if I have had no issue since my treatment. Also I have not been on any sort of assistance.

 

[armoured]

Can our application be refused because of my medical documents? For ex can they say that since I had this condition 2 plus years ago, it may manifest again and I may not be able to support my family? Even if I have had no issue since my treatment. Also I have not been on any sort of assistance.

No. Not unless your CURRENT condition and financial/working situation was such that you clearly could not support yourself and/or spouse. Or you had assistance/debts owing issues.

 

[Luv4all88]

I have no debts and never had any assistance, my income tax is little bit low like 22k for 2022, and maybe it'll be 26k for 2023 for self employed, but I'm hoping to explain that because I spent half of the time from both years on family visits.

 

[armoured]

I have no debts and never had any assistance, my income tax is little bit low like 22k for 2022, and maybe it'll be 26k for 2023 for self employed, but I'm hoping to explain that because I spent half of the time from both years on family visits.

Can't comment on that, but from what you're saying, this is not (directly) related to the medical issues you had, i.e. I see no reason to think IRCC is going to focus on your medical history.

 

[123applicant]

I don't think you should spend 8.5k on a lawyer.

Your pictures from the living room wedding should be included, and if you are super unsure about how this will be received you can write a small explanation or your regret that there were no official photos taken to commemorate your wedding.

Your photos should be 20 detailing different events to show that you are in a committed marriage-like relationship. If you have a picture of you, your wife and your newborn child - that is probably equally as powerful to show your relationship.

Good luck!

 

[YVR123]

So basically I'm Canadian citizen and sponsoring my wife from Pakistan. I just saw a lawyer who wants 8.5k to do my application, but the thing is I already took time off and prepared my application in the last few weeks. Reason to see the lawyer was to get opinion on my marriage pics (which she didn't give) because we just had a very simple ceremony at the house of my wife's parents, like basically in the living room you can say, and I have minimal pics, quality is normal, me and other guests are not dressed accordingly except my wife, and only few family and relatives attended. Even my dad isn't in them even though he participated but wasn't around when couple of our family members clicked the photos.
Now this isn't arranged marriage, we are related and knew each other for 10 years before our marriage. The only reason for getting married this way was because I had a pain problem in my right leg and foot at that time due to disc extrusion, annular tear according to my mri. It was difficult to endure the pain, and it affected me emotionally, financially because when we got married, I only had couple thousand left in my 2 bank accounts, which I wanted to keep for my treatment.
During this time, I went to 5-6 places physio, foot, chiropractor clinics in Canada for treatment and when I couldn't get relief or MRI or pain specialist appointment here I went to Pakistan and had 3 mri, saw many pain specialists, had bunch of nerve blocks without much relief, this is when I felt I needed some support so we decided to marry. Couple months later, I had a pulsed radiofrequency procedure on my spine which fixed my problem. I have all the reports that I want to attach and My wife accompanied me to some of my hospital visits.
I am only worried because I don't know how much is the visa officer going to take this into account when looking at our marriage pics?
We're married for 2 years and have a daughter together who already has Canadian citizenship. I have financial support proofs, whatsapp calls and chats, gifts exchange, many pics of outings and pics at birthday event of our daughter with our families. Also have some evidence to show relationship prior to our marriage. I have Visited her twice, one of them was when daughter was born. All our documents are complete. Just worried that we had a very casual looking marriage, one other thing is my wife was previously divorced 2011-2012. I would appreciate if someone can give me your opinion how strong or weak my application looks?

Take the "dealing with your pain" issue out from your description.
You are a citizen, you got married with a distance relative 2 years ago and have a daughter together.
You had a simple wedding ceremony at home because of your health condition at the time to endure a big event.
You had pictures of relationship before your wedding, at the wedding, outings...etc with families. You visited twice. Your wife was divorced a long time ago (10 years before your marriage with her).
It seems like a normal spousal sponsorship application. It should be pretty straight forward to apply by yourself.

btw IRCC don't really care the "quality of your photos". It's just to show your relationship. Casual shots are fine.

 

[Luv4all88]

thanks guys for your replies, yeah I will submit it soon myself and hopefully it will go all smooth. just waiting on chats translation.

at YVR123, when you say take the "dealing with your pain" issue from your description, can you clarify what you mean by it?

Like what you said here is a lot like how I felt at the time, "You had a simple wedding ceremony at home because of your health condition at the time to endure a big event. "