Development of Relationship > Genuine Relationship Letter

[AllisonVSC]

Wow, I am now doubting my application

We gave them what they asked for. No additional pages (other than my husband's whereabouts and school/work timeline since he was 18) to the application.

We included about 15 pages of photos in colour done in microsoft office with 2-4 photos per page with dates and places, a few scans of cards we had sent, some ticket stubs to verify we were at events from the pictures, a ton of e-mails, phone bills, and that is about it.

Our lawyer said even what we gave her was too much (I gave her every phone bill from when we started dating to present and about 3-4 e-mail samples per month since Jan 2009 and then a screenshot of my inbox with all his e-mails). So she said she would only send what was needed, so in the end....I don't even know what made it out in the end.

Oh I really hope I don't get screwed over in the end.....*sigh*

Don't worry, Dayanara. I sent a relationship chronology which was maybe 2 pages (just facts no lovey dovey stuff) with about 10 photos, no cards except a thank you note from his mom, some itineraries, about 10 emails (chosen over 5 years...yep I kept every one...still do; never thought of a screen shot of his folder in my inbox!), one bank statement, 1-2 phone bills, beneficiary proof, and 10 support letters and I got approved as conjugal partners. It's about the quality of the proof, not necessarily the quantity. I'm sure your lawyer knows this and chose appropriately. Allison

 

[minna]

I hope I did ok - my partner - the applicant - didn't write a novel (although I did as sponsor).

He answered the questions and added maybe two or three additional pages, and asked the IO to please refer to the "proof of relationship" section of the application where we had the photos etc.

hope that will make sense to them!!

 

[mrsprogram]

We each wrote 4 page letters and questions #11, #15, #24, and #25 required additional pages. I think about 13 pages in total.

As for additional proof, we sent about 70 photos, screenshot of emails, 10 emails, joint bank account statement, our cable bill, beneficiary information, insurance information, 10 cards, 10 phone bills, 5 letters of support, our sons' birth certificates, itineraries of trips together and to see eachother, and what boarding passes we had.

 

[AlanWales]

Wow, I am now doubting my application

We gave them what they asked for. No additional pages (other than my husband's whereabouts and school/work timeline since he was 18) to the application.

We included about 15 pages of photos in colour done in microsoft office with 2-4 photos per page with dates and places, a few scans of cards we had sent, some ticket stubs to verify we were at events from the pictures, a ton of e-mails, phone bills, and that is about it.

Our lawyer said even what we gave her was too much (I gave her every phone bill from when we started dating to present and about 3-4 e-mail samples per month since Jan 2009 and then a screenshot of my inbox with all his e-mails). So she said she would only send what was needed, so in the end....I don't even know what made it out in the end.

Oh I really hope I don't get screwed over in the end.....*sigh*

Don't doubt it, our relationship history was for a period of six years and was a bulleted statement which was a page long. We sent about 20 photos and a few photocopies of letters and emails from throughout the relationship, to show how far back we went. I also gave copies of boarding cards, hotel reservations and places we visited together. Our application fitted in a plain Manilla envelope. We went through with no problems, not even requiring an interview.

The problem with this site is that someone says they send 50 photos and a 10 page relationship history, so then someone reading that will send 60 photos and a 15 page history and it snowballs from there. Obviously from some locations there is a higher burden of proof needed, but some of the applications are way over the top, in my opinion. I spent about two months putting out application together, some on here have been going over and over it for 6-7 months. I am sure that the IO are more interested in getting all the facts in a readable, concise fashion, than having to wade through huge amounts of irrelevant information. No offence, but 84 pages, for a 13 year relationship is excessive.

 

[AllisonVSC]

Well said AlanWales.

 

[britincanada]

Well if we are talking about how many pages of "proof" I cant remember the exact number of pages in my application..somewhere around 360 pages of proof over 5 years..I think the IO assigned to mine will probably take 1 look and go "oh *censored word*e" why did I have to have this one! I included everything from Every single xmas,valentines day/birthday card we ever gave each other, Every group insurance document showing me as beneficiary since 2006, every joint bank statement since 2006, every phone bill from when I was in England, Every western union receipt from when I was in England and Tim sent me money, every flight Itinerary/boarding pass/stamp in my passport. I also added in around 100 photos including wedding photos..Photocopies of receipts from our wedding etc..8 Statutory declarations from Family & Friends..including my ex..And much more!

 

[britincanada]

Don't doubt it, our relationship history was for a period of six years and was a bulleted statement which was a page long. We sent about 20 photos and a few photocopies of letters and emails from throughout the relationship, to show how far back we went. I also gave copies of boarding cards, hotel reservations and places we visited together. Our application fitted in a plain Manilla envelope. We went through with no problems, not even requiring an interview.

The problem with this site is that someone says they send 50 photos and a 10 page relationship history, so then someone reading that will send 60 photos and a 15 page history and it snowballs from there. Obviously from some locations there is a higher burden of proof needed, but some of the applications are way over the top, in my opinion. I spent about two months putting out application together, some on here have been going over and over it for 6-7 months. I am sure that the IO are more interested in getting all the facts in a readable, concise fashion, than having to wade through huge amounts of irrelevant information. No offence, but 84 pages, for a 13 year relationship is excessive.

I think you are right too..Looking back on my application..it was complete over kill and the IO will most likely skim through it and not even look at half the proof I gave them!!

 

[can_usa_97]

Don't doubt it, our relationship history was for a period of six years and was a bulleted statement which was a page long. We sent about 20 photos and a few photocopies of letters and emails from throughout the relationship, to show how far back we went. I also gave copies of boarding cards, hotel reservations and places we visited together. Our application fitted in a plain Manilla envelope. We went through with no problems, not even requiring an interview.

The problem with this site is that someone says they send 50 photos and a 10 page relationship history, so then someone reading that will send 60 photos and a 15 page history and it snowballs from there. Obviously from some locations there is a higher burden of proof needed, but some of the applications are way over the top, in my opinion. I spent about two months putting out application together, some on here have been going over and over it for 6-7 months. I am sure that the IO are more interested in getting all the facts in a readable, concise fashion, than having to wade through huge amounts of irrelevant information. No offence, but 84 pages, for a 13 year relationship is excessive.

To each their own. I did it over the course of two nights going thru our photos on the computer & our blog, and it includes photos from the many instances we've had over the course of our 13 years - around 150 photos which is a bulk of the document.

Essentially, the only reason we can be denied is lack of genuine relationship. Why wouldn't I want to include all I could?

That said, I don't; think anyone should doubt what they sent. I have 13 years worth of history to be able to send, some might not. Some might not recall or have photos from all that time. I hope the IO doesn't even need to look at the document, but if they do, I hope it's helpful.

 

[britincanada]

My take on it is...its better to send too much than too little...The IO is paid to weed through the documents to find the facts..Plus I am less likely to be asked to provide more documents! The only thing I have to forward so far is my new VR to show I have a valid status in Canada

 

[BeShoo]

If I'm pouring my heart out into this development of relationship bit, why am I providing an additional letter of proving our love is genuine?

I just posted 4 messages detailing the factors that they look at to assess whether a relationship is genuine. Look especially at the quotations in the blue boxes and see if you can comment on some of those aspects of your relationship:

Characteristics of a genuine marriage or other conjugal relationship

 

[canadianwoman]

Some people get approved with very little proof; others send in a huge amount. It partly depends on the visa office, the visa officer, and your situation, how much proof you actually need. Since you can't tell for sure, better to send in too much than too little.
The key for those sending in a lot of proof is to have everything very well-organized. If in fact the visa officer did not require 5 years' worth of phone bills, but you sent them, if they are clearly labeled he can skip them. If you have included a table of contents and everything is paged or tabbed, the visa officer can skip what he/she doesn't care about, or just skim over it.

 

[can_usa_97]

Some people get approved with very little proof; others send in a huge amount. It partly depends on the visa office, the visa officer, and your situation, how much proof you actually need. Since you can't tell for sure, better to send in too much than too little.
The key for those sending in a lot of proof is to have everything very well-organized. If in fact the visa officer did not require 5 years' worth of phone bills, but you sent them, if they are clearly labeled he can skip them. If you have included a table of contents and everything is paged or tabbed, the visa officer can skip what he/she doesn't care about, or just skim over it.

I did ensure everything was very clearly labeled, for just that fact. If they want to just see x they can, and skip the rest. It's very nicely organized.

 

[britincanada]

I also put a table of contents in each section and numbered each document and which section it belongs to, plus my name, date of birth and Client Id on them...For each answer requiring an extra sheet of paper I footnoted them telling the IO where to find the evidence, i.e Q1,Q6,Q9,Q15,Q18 and any additional info I provided...

 

[Kess]

I'm planning to do a word document as well. Easier to scan everything into the computer (cards and other loose items) and all my pics which are already digital (only have 30 at most, we have so few of us together). That way I don't have to worry about sending anything original if I won't get it back.

I'm planning to include my cell phone records (he threw all his out), google talk inbox screenshots, a couple emails, flight itineraries, and a letter explaining our history (should be about a page). My friends thinks it's too much given our situation but I'd rather be safe then sorry.

If it's all itemized in one document, hopefully it will be easier on the IO if they feel they've read enough

 

[britincanada]

Kess I didnt send any originals unless stated on the Checklist...All photocopies/scans..except Photographs I had them done at photolab.com 19 cents each..and a few things from our wedding..like wedding programs..we had extra..