How big is yours?

[Bright_skies]

Ups to you both for the insightful advice. I think a curated sample with the "we have more if you want" will be the way it goes. I actually feel much better, it was starting to look like a phone book!

Thank you!

 

[JimE2013]

I'm not sure on the page count, but it was 11.25 kg.

 

[Thaliada]

How about http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/how-i-organized-our-applcation-and-a-summary-of-all-helpful-tips-i-have-learned-t92449.0.html ? or http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/best-guidelines-advice-proof-of-relationship-t61283.0.html ? I know it's a lot, but I based mine on theirs. I don't want to tell them I can provide more information if they want. I want them to read it and be like... yep, that's a genuine relationship, they have everything we need... so APPROVED! My opinion... My proof of relationship has about 200 pages :-/ I included emails, Skype logs (specially the phone conversation where it says how many minutes we talked each time), facebook (we didnt have much just 3 pages), emails from his parents and brother to me. Letters of recommendation, greeting cards we sent to each other, movie tickets and receipts. I think that's all.

Everyone is doing it as they think they should, but that's how I did it. Good luck! Tomorrow morning I am sending in the application package Can't wait!!

 

[CanadianJeepGuy]

Just so that everyone is aware that whatever you send will have to be reviewed by the VO. So if you send 200 pages of chat they have to read 200 pages of chat. How long will it take someone to read 200 pages of chat? The requirement is to provide documents that support the legitimacy of the relationship. 200 pages of chat logs may only prove that you have chatted a lot. The advice given to me is quality over quantity. Put yourself in the shoes of the VO.
Our entire application for both stage 1 and 2 were 30 odd pages. Nothing flashy at all. Our GCMS notes had no comments or red flags. The application was passed.

 

[Thaliada]

Just because you provide them 200 pages of conversation, doesn't mean they will READ 200 pages of conversation. They can skim through it and pick and choose. However, the conversation is quite pleasant so they might enjoy it All I am saying is that I want to avoid sending additional information. Once again, that's just my opinion and not forcing anyone to follow my advice or example. I do wish everyone the best of luck.

Thaliada.

 

[Thaliada]

Just so that everyone is aware that whatever you send will have to be reviewed by the VO. So if you send 200 pages of chat they have to read 200 pages of chat. How long will it take someone to read 200 pages of chat? The requirement is to provide documents that support the legitimacy of the relationship. 200 pages of chat logs may only prove that you have chatted a lot. The advice given to me is quality over quantity. Put yourself in the shoes of the VO.
Our entire application for both stage 1 and 2 were 30 odd pages. Nothing flashy at all. Our GCMS notes had no comments or red flags. The application was passed.

Plus, why did you have to resend any docs and pics? Just wondering...

 

[CanadianJeepGuy]

Plus, why did you have to resend any docs and pics? Just wondering...

Because they lost them.

I sent our file to Mississauga and they resent it to their pilot project in Ottawa. They lost 2 of my sponsorship forms and my wife's passport pics.

 

[Thaliada]

wow that sucks I am glad everything turned out right in the end.

 

[Bright_skies]

Everyone is doing it as they think they should, but that's how I did it. Good luck! Tomorrow morning I am sending in the application package Can't wait!!

Congrats! Wishing you a speedy process! I plan to send next week.

 

[kkbaggio]

Because they lost them.

I sent our file to Mississauga and they resent it to their pilot project in Ottawa. They lost 2 of my sponsorship forms and my wife's passport pics.

Oh no, do we need to send passport photo? I didnt find it in the checklist.????

 

[Bright_skies]

Just so that everyone is aware that whatever you send will have to be reviewed by the VO. So if you send 200 pages of chat they have to read 200 pages of chat. How long will it take someone to read 200 pages of chat? The requirement is to provide documents that support the legitimacy of the relationship. 200 pages of chat logs may only prove that you have chatted a lot. The advice given to me is quality over quantity. Put yourself in the shoes of the VO.
Our entire application for both stage 1 and 2 were 30 odd pages. Nothing flashy at all. Our GCMS notes had no comments or red flags. The application was passed.

Did someone tell you that directly? That might change my perspective a little bit...

Congrats on your successful application!

 

[gamyover]

I'm still stuck in the process of filling out stuff, it seems to me the more I fill the more I realize I have to do :'(. Plus I have to start putting everything in order.
Right now I'm writing about the development of our relationship, it seem to me it's going to be like 10 or 12 pages. Is it too much? Can someone share with me her/him experience about this.

Thank you

 

[kkbaggio]

Finally sent my application off on 17 May after a long preparation time (3 months) But EMS is so slow!!!!!! but the Canada post shows that its successfully delivery this morning 23 May. How long they normally need to send me the AOR letter?

I would also want to share my case and want some opinion from all you experienced people. I will list point form cuz it's easier to read. I'm not sure if my case is not strong enough as altogether 1.3kg. I think I have attached everything we need clean and clear and what if I want to add additional doc after I have submitted my application form?

Type: common law sponsorship
Relationship status: engaged since 10Feb 2013 (common law) lived together 1+ year start dating 3 Dec 2011
Children: no
Marriage history: we both going to get marry the first time, planning our wedding in 2014
Nationality: Me (me born in Hong Kong- Chinese) Him (White Canadian born in Canada)
Residency: I have worked in Shanghai for 3.5 years and quit my job 5 months ago, still living in Shanghai with my fiancee as a visitor
He has been working in China for 8 years ( work permit holder) and already filed non- residency in Canada, and we are both living in Shanghai at the moment.
pet: 1 cat
Meet the parents: Yes with photos



Attached evidence:

Proof of relationship
1. Joint Bank account (China joint bank account with 2 different a/c no.) Copy with certified translation. (by qualified translation company)
2. rental agreement in Shanghai. Original copy with certified translation (by qualified translation company). (not from notary public as they refused to certified it)
3. My phone bill showing the shanghai address we are living in ( Copy with certified translation by notary public)
4. My fiancee's University's transcript from UBC showing the shanghai address we are living. (Copy)
5. E tickets from both of us traveling to Tokyo / Sapporo / Manila / Coron / Changbai Mountain / New Delhi/ Hong Kong
6. Hotel E-recipes
7. 80+ photos (not everyone have date)
8. A 22 pages printed booklet with date, events detail and photos answering to IMM5409 the development of our relationship
9. Gifts photos e.g. engagement ring, camera, fixed gear bike, rings and necklace from both side parents (donno should I send the engagement ring receipt in addition)
10. some emails between us. (not all, cuz we dont think its a big different printing 50 pages and 1000 pages) would like to hear you advise.
11. Whatsapp chatting printout between us (50 pages) We only printed every 10 page as I dont think i should print all 500+ pages


Proof of sponsoring ability
1. His online-bank balance printout
2. His investment online statement printout
3. My online-bank balance printout
4. employment contract with salary proof for the preceding 12 months
5. Cover letter by my fiancee telling the progress of our relationship, life of living together, household responsibility and future plans.

intention to go back to Canada
We have planned to move back to Canada 1 July (yes, we will go without having my PR approved, will wait in Canada)
1. Same cover letter listed above
2. Online application for jobs in Canada
3. Email printout between him and his dad talking about the planning of the family property we are going to move in.
4. Our cat's body check and injection health certificate well prepared to go on a plane
5. Belonging shipping quotation (China --> Canada)
6. His flight E-ticket going back to Canada on 1 July
(My fiancee just got a job offer email, should we send this in addition?)

Other supporting Doc
1.My police certificate from U.K. (I studied my degree there)
2. My notary public certified criminal record check from China
3. no HK poilce certificate (need to wait till they ask for it)
4. Body check slip (they said they will send the result to Beijing office)
5. Instead of providing option C printout we have attached a cover letter telling them our situation that my fiancee no longer a Canada residency as he has been working in China for 8 years

I would like to hear some opinions from you guys, anything wrong or I can improve by sending additional doc? Thank you very much! 8)

 

[CanadianJeepGuy]

Oh no, do we need to send passport photo? I didnt find it in the checklist.????

If memory serves the requirement of passport pics is in the country specific guide if you are sponsoring your spouse outland.

 

[Bright_skies]

Sounds amazing, kkbaggio, a very solid application from what I've been reading. I would just say to make sure you have ample proof that you both plan to move there, as he has been away so long. The job offer would most certainly help a lot. The co-habitation and relationship proof sounds really good, nice touch with the UBC transcript.

One interesting thing I heard from a lawyer is that there are three things they use with relationships to flag for more investigation. They are: previous experience with cic (ie: if you applied before or he sponsored before), difference in education (same or applicant less is fine, if applicant is much higher educated than sponsor it's a flag), and age difference. Of course lots of couples with some or all flags are approved, it's just a way of signaling to the VO to look closely. I don't know if any of them apply to you.

We are common law too and I know I have found it hard at times as there is no concrete way to know how much is needed/ too much, etc. Looks like all your bases are covered.

Good luck!