Example of shared expenses that aren't joint accounts?

[canasian1798]

Not sure why this is a separate requirement for proof of relationship to sponsor.

IMM 5589 Document Checklist
7(a) has a check box for joint utility/bank/credit card accounts but;
7(c) asks for documentary evidence of financial support between you and your sponsor, and/or shared expenses

What would be a good example of shared expenses that aren't already mentioned in 7(a)? Can you use the same evidence for both?
I read in other posts that grocery/food costs might not even be considered relevant. So I'm kind of lost to what to show for this one.

 

[Ponga]

It is ALWAYS helpful to [at least] tell us which form your are referencing. I suspect there are many forms with a 7(a) and a 7(c).

You must providence whatever evidence you can find to help IRCC assess your relationship. If you do not have any proof of joint financial support between you and your sponsor, I guess you can't submit anything.

I would agree that proof of grocery/food will likely not be helpful, since roommates often share these types of expenses.

 

[canasian1798]

It is ALWAYS helpful to [at least] tell us which form your are referencing. I suspect there are many forms with a 7(a) and a 7(c).

You must providence whatever evidence you can find to help IRCC assess your relationship. If you do not have any proof of joint financial support between you and your sponsor, I guess you can't submit anything.

I would agree that proof of grocery/food will likely not be helpful, since roommates often share these types of expenses.

Sorry, I edited the main post. I am referring to the document checklist IMM 5589.

Going back to what you mentioned though, how would having a joint credit card/bank account not be proof of shared expenses/financial support to each other?

Wouldn't a joint credit card statement show both your expenses? Similar to having a joint utility account?

My confusion to all this is just why it is in separate required fields when they're somewhat similar in what they are asking for.

E: To your argument about the roommate thing though, this wouldn't be the only evidence that you cohabitate with your partner, however it doesn't mean it's irrelevant as evidence no? Just because you're living together and are spending groceries together doesn't make you "just" roommates. Though technically it's still a shared expense.

 

[Ponga]

Wouldn't a joint credit card statement show both your expenses? Similar to having a joint utility account?

Yes, but it's the `active' transactions that are the most important. Showing that each person is `using' the physical card locally, is far greater evidence than one person shopping online, while the other shops in-person.

My confusion to all this is just why it is in separate required fields when they're somewhat similar in what they are asking for.

E: To your argument about the roommate thing though, this wouldn't be the only evidence that you cohabitate with your partner, however it doesn't mean it's irrelevant as evidence no? Just because you're living together and are spending groceries together doesn't make you "just" roommates. Though technically it's still a shared expense.

Not so much an argument, rather something to mention since IRCC may not see shopping for groceries to be automatically indicative of a relationship.

 

[canadian416]

Have a joint bank account. Have your utility bills paid out from that account.

 

[Ponga]

Have a joint bank account. Have your utility bills paid out from that account.

That could be seen as a `passive' evidence:


From The Google-

Active vs. Passive Evidence – Active evidence is capable of placing you physically in Canada, while passive evidence only demonstrates that you have assets in Canada. This is the difference between a credit card bill and a hydro bill. While the hydro bill will demonstrate that you are paying utilities in Canada, it will not demonstrate that you are actually living in the property for which the bill is attached. The credit card bill, on the other hand, will provide an itemised list of your shopping habits, listing the name of the store and typically the location. When location is not provided, the store number is provided which may be searched online to match store number with store location (particularly important for stores which are also present outside of Canada).

 

[canadian416]

Not many couples have one credit card that has both their names on it. I just don't understand how a credit card bill is considered as an active evidence aka shared expenses but not a joint account that the utilities (hydro, water, property taxes, condo fees, etc..) are paid out.

I would understand if you would like to prove that you live together with your partner by showing the monthly credit card statement.

On the other hand, a joint bank account monthly statement has both of your names and your current home address and shows the utilities paid, etc..

My wife has her own credit card.
I have my own credit card.

We receive two different statements each month that are delivered to our home address. Those statements do not show that we have shared expenses.

My wife went to get her nails done. She paid by using her credit card her name on it, not mine. I went to a barber and get a haircut. I used my personal credit card that has my name on it. I dont understand how this could be considered as a shared expense on the credit card statement.

 

[MJSPARV]

Not sure why this is a separate requirement for proof of relationship to sponsor.

IMM 5589 Document Checklist
7(a) has a check box for joint utility/bank/credit card accounts but;
7(c) asks for documentary evidence of financial support between you and your sponsor, and/or shared expenses

What would be a good example of shared expenses that aren't already mentioned in 7(a)? Can you use the same evidence for both?
I read in other posts that grocery/food costs might not even be considered relevant. So I'm kind of lost to what to show for this one.

For 7(C) we showed things like my husband being on the health insurance provided by my job and some documents from his university (he was a student in my home country at the time) where it was listed that my income was his financial support, and that he was the named beneficiary on my retirement savings account. Other ideas of things that show financial support or shared expenses that may or may not apply to your situation: car/house/renters insurance documents listing both your names, money transfers between the two of you.

Also, it's been awhile since we did our forms but if memory serves, this is a "must show 2 out 3" situation, right? If so if you have something from what the third category of documents is, you don't need to worry about what to use a prove of financial support/shared expenses.

 

[canadian416]

@MJSPARV , thank you for your feedback.

I am not sure 2 out of 3 to be honest.

In Canada, health benefits provided by your employer does require a provincial healthcare coverage first which means if your spouse does not have a provincial healthcare, you cannot add your spouse to your plan.

My spouse is on a tourist visa. Therefore, I cannot add her to my plan because she does not qualify for provincial healthcare. She has her own private health coverage.

Neither myself nor my wife require any financial support from one another. We are financially indipendent couple. But of course, we help each other financially if needed.

I am not sure if I can add her to my home insruance because she has a visitor visa.

Thank you.

 

[canasian1798]

Yes, but it's the `active' transactions that are the most important. Showing that each person is `using' the physical card locally, is far greater evidence than one person shopping online, while the other shops in-person.

That makes sense. We have a joint credit card that we have been sharing for a few months during out cohabitation. It has mostly in-person expenses itemized with both our names in there as well. So I figured it might be good to use for shared expenses evidence.

Not so much an argument, rather something to mention since IRCC may not see shopping for groceries to be automatically indicative of a relationship.

I see what you mean, but along with the other evidence we are providing to prove our relationship, this wouldn't discount those expenses automatically then right?

 

[canasian1798]

For 7(C) we showed things like my husband being on the health insurance provided by my job and some documents from his university (he was a student in my home country at the time) where it was listed that my income was his financial support, and that he was the named beneficiary on my retirement savings account. Other ideas of things that show financial support or shared expenses that may or may not apply to your situation: car/house/renters insurance documents listing both your names, money transfers between the two of you.

Also, it's been awhile since we did our forms but if memory serves, this is a "must show 2 out 3" situation, right? If so if you have something from what the third category of documents is, you don't need to worry about what to use a prove of financial support/shared expenses.

You are right. We only need at least 2 out of the 4 options on 7c. I just figured since we had a joint credit card it would technically have been an easy tick for 7a's shared credit card account and 7c's "shared expenses" box however it seems to be debatable to have the expenses in a joint credit card to be counted as such apparently.

I am going to get support letter from family and friends, as well as have my partner included in my life and health insurance. So I already have 2. I just thought more is better.

 

[MJSPARV]

@MJSPARV , thank you for your feedback.

I am not sure 2 out of 3 to be honest.

In Canada, health benefits provided by your employer does require a provincial healthcare coverage first which means if your spouse does not have a provincial healthcare, you cannot add your spouse to your plan.

My spouse is on a tourist visa. Therefore, I cannot add her to my plan because she does not qualify for provincial healthcare. She has her own private health coverage.

Neither myself nor my wife require any financial support from one another. We are financially indipendent couple. But of course, we help each other financially if needed.

I am not sure if I can add her to my home insruance because she has a visitor visa.

Thank you.

If there's nothing you can use for that category and it's not a 2 out of 3, then you will need to write a brief explanation letter. If your other evidence is strong and you make a clear case for why you can't show those particular documents, you should hopefully be ok. For what it's worth, you may be able to list her as a beneficiary in the case of your death if you have any kind of retirement savings account, TFSA etc - check with your bank. When I was in Canada as a visitor during the end of my application processing I was able to open a bank account with my husband with no issues related to my status as a visitor.

 

[armoured]

Neither myself nor my wife require any financial support from one another. We are financially indipendent couple. But of course, we help each other financially if needed.

You're overthinking this. Just tell the truth and write a short letter of explanation if needed.

You both have resources, great. But surely you have things you share expenses of - one pays rent, the other pays utilities, car costs, furniture purchases, food, or whatever.

And yes, that "financial help" from time to time counts. Incluyde some of these examples and it should be fine.

 

[canadian416]

If there's nothing you can use for that category and it's not a 2 out of 3, then you will need to write a brief explanation letter. If your other evidence is strong and you make a clear case for why you can't show those particular documents, you should hopefully be ok. For what it's worth, you may be able to list her as a beneficiary in the case of your death if you have any kind of retirement savings account, TFSA etc - check with your bank. When I was in Canada as a visitor during the end of my application processing I was able to open a bank account with my husband with no issues related to my status as a visitor.

Yeah I can talk to my bank and add my wife as a beneficiary.

We are just an everyday people that loved each other abd got married. It should be fine.

 

[canadian416]

You're overthinking this. Just tell the truth and write a short letter of explanation if needed.

You both have resources, great. But surely you have things you share expenses of - one pays rent, the other pays utilities, car costs, furniture purchases, food, or whatever.

And yes, that "financial help" from time to time counts. Incluyde some of these examples and it should be fine.

We always tell the truth. Yeah, we have shared expenses. Couples usually do have shared expenses. I could explain it in the letter and get support letters from friends as well.
We will cross that bridge once we get there. It is not rocket science.